Do you need help taking the first step towards a healthier lifestyle? Do you want to feel better mentally, physically and spiritually but don’t know how?

Kindhearted Home Care is unveiling a new wellness program next week called “LIFE,” aimed at helping participants take the first steps toward a goal, whether it is to lose weight, eat healthier or run a marathon. LIFE stands for Laughter, Inspiration, Fitness and Encouragement.

The program, developed by Kindhearted owner Diane Goetsch and Health and Fitness Coordinator Ashley Millenbah, is designed to provide the support, encouragement and accountability needed to be successful in reaching the highest quality of life.

Starting Oct. 3, the group meetings are held at two times on Tuesdays, 12:15-12:45 p.m. and 5:15-5:45 p.m. Participants can choose whichever session best fits into their schedule. The group meetings will feature activities, a weekly challenge and progress toward a longer-term group goal. Optional private weigh-ins will be offered prior to each meeting.

LIFE is based on the Seven Dimensions of Wellness: Social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical; all of which need to be met to achieve the highest quality of life.

The weekly group meetings will be augmented by a closed group Facebook page, allowing participants to connect with the facilitators and each other for support throughout the week. The meetings also will be live-streamed on the Facebook page for those who can’t make it to a meeting.

LIFE will help participants put wellness concepts into practice in their everyday lives, Millenbah said. People of all ages are welcome and she encourages families and couples to attend together.

Participants can sign up for LIFE as a three-month membership. The lifestyle changes at the heart of the LIFE program don’t happen overnight, Millenbah noted, and three months will give participants time to work toward their goals. Participants can renew their membership every three months to remain with the program.

“We hope that it changes your life so that you want to keep coming,” Goetsch said.

Goetsch said she wants the meetings to be driven by the people in the group.

“Ashley and I will co-facilitate the meetings, but we want it to be an interactive group,” she said.

Participants can join LIFE at any time by contacting Kindhearted at 715-218-3772, emailing info@kindheratedhomecare.com, or stopping in at 120 S. Mill St. in Merrill.