I’ve lived in Savannah for just over 10 years, and I feel really grounded in the city because I’m out and about frequently, riding my bike, walking, visiting the Forsyth Farmers Market or taking a break in one of our city’s beautiful squares.
Some people call me a health nut. I don’t mind it when they do because I know firsthand what a difference health, or lack of it, can make in people’s lives.
As the owner of Wound Care Clinic ESU, I’m involved in guiding my staff to address needs of patients with chronic nonhealing wounds that result when health is compromised due to poor eating habits and lack of activity. Our goal is to help patients get active again and prevent complications.
A major catalyst for my deep-seated interest in wellness came decades ago when I read the book “Sugar Blues” by William Dufty about the ill effects of processed food and, specifically, sugar. I continued my education about healthy living with books such as “Fit for Life,” “In Defense of Food” and most recently, “Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture.” I believe that to be healthier, we have to get back to local, sustainable, healthy, whole foods.
When I was asked to be part of the Healthy Savannah kickoff in 2007, I couldn’t have been more excited. After many years of having one-on-one conversations with anyone I could find who was interested in talking about health and what it takes to be healthy, I discovered a small, passionate  — and now we know, determined — group right here in Savannah that wanted to bring a culture of health to our community.
Healthy Savannah is not a program or a project; we are a social movement dedicated to making Savannah a healthier place to live. We are a strong, 100-plus member coalition of public, private and nonprofit organizations that is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. Our aim is to increase opportunities for everyone to engage in physical activity and eat a nutritious, balanced diet.
Healthy Savannah serves all of Savannah and Chatham County. Active partners include government entities, academic institutions, businesses and corporations, media, faith-based organizations and area events. The full list is at www.healthysavannah.org.
The Healthy Savannah coalition has gathered many resources. Highlights include the following:
• Forsyth Farmers’ Market — a weekly, local, producers-only farmers’ market at Forsyth Park. From the beginning, the FFM has focused on food and food issues, which is why it is a producer-only market that allows only food and plant vendors.
• Smoke-free air — an awareness and educational campaign with the community and our elected officials in 2010 that resulted in the adoption of the City of Savannah 2010 Smoke-Free Air Ordinance, the 100 percent Tobacco-Free Schools Policy in the Savannah Chatham Public School System and the Smoke-Free Air Ordinance in unincorporated Chatham County.
• Bicycle-friendly streets — designated bike lanes on Washington Avenue and Price Street and the “Bicycle Friendly City” designation by the League of American Bicyclists.
• LEAN (Leadership, Exercise, Activity, Nutrition) Health and Wellness Challenge — a program in which over 250 city employees participated. In an eight-week period, teams of four to six employees lost over 1,500 pounds, and the challenge was repeated in 2013.
• Healthcare Georgia Foundation grant — a $150,000 grant that is part of a three-year program to fight childhood obesity through existing groups and initiatives, particularly those focused on underserved communities.
We couldn’t exist without great volunteers, and we are grateful for their participation. Check out healthysavannah.org to learn how our volunteers make a difference.
If you’d like to offer your talents, time or resources to help create a healthy future for Savannah, contact me anytime. It’s time to connect, inspire and grow! See you out and about in our beautiful Savannah! And when you see me, stop and say hello. It’s even OK to call me a health nut.
Kreissler is the director of healthy living and community development for Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia.