The Heart Of New Ulm along with Congressman Tim Walz celebrated a $250,000 federal appropriation today that will be used to support local lifestyle programs.  News 12's Sara Miles tells us how the year-old program has already changed people's lives.

Heart of New Ulm Participant Teri Arnoldt says, "Started out running for 2 mins and after that I kept telling myself I can't do any more than 2 mins."  For Teri Arnoldt, getting in shape was obviously a challenge.  But once she started the Heart of New Ulm's walk-run group she added one minute at a time and now.  Arnoldt says, "I can go up to an hour, good for my health and good for my self esteem."

Giving the citizens of New Ulm good health is exactly what the hospital was after.  The Heart of New Ulm project was started in 2009 to further lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease in the community and the $250,000 from Congress means new goals for 2010.  Heart of New Ulm manager Jeff VanWormer says, "In 2009 we got to a lot but in 2010 we got to get to a lot more and come up with harder things to do."

Some projects planned include programs that target improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and weight management.  Community wide they could implement a healthy eating program at restaurants and a community support system that would encourage neighborhoods to work together.    Congressman Tim Walz says, "Bottom line is if you can give people healthier choices and get them in as a community wide it's very helpful".  The New Ulm Teacher is hoping her healthy choices rub off on the community like they've rubbed off on her kids.  Arnoldt says, "They'll say I know, eat the apple don't need to eat a piece of leftover Halloween candy or something."  Walz says, "Their success stories are really motivating when you get over here you're really ready to do something."  That something could be talking a walk or like Arnoldt adding a minute every time you go for a jog.  Arnoldt says, "you're gonna find that you can do things you didn't think you could do."  In New Ulm, Sarah Miles, News 12.