Go For Bold: Health, Community and the Power of Small Steps

If you’ve resolved to live healthier in the new year, Washington County’s Go For Bold initiative gives you more than a goal. It gives you a friendly community walking right beside you.

Launched in 2020 through a collaboration between Meritus Health and Healthy Washington County, Go For Bold is a decade-long, county-wide movement aimed at strengthening public health and wellness with an ambitious mission: to collectively lose 1 million pounds by 2030.

Far from being a fad diet or a short-lived challenge, Go For Bold centers on three core pillars: Do, Eat, and Believe, said Beth Fields Dowdell, CRNP, director of community health and outpatient care management at Meritus.

The “Do” part encourages residents to increase physical activity through accessible events and daily movement, which is especially crucial for older adults. Active lifestyles help reduce the risk of chronic disease and preserve mobility, which is vital for aging well. Go For Bold emphasizes activities that can be as simple as walking, gardening or taking part in community events.

The “Eat” component focuses on nutrition, but not with rigid rules or restrictive plans. Instead, participants are offered practical tips and recipes rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, helping people of all ages make sustainable, healthy food choices. For older adults managing conditions like diabetes or heart disease, these nutrition insights can play a meaningful role in daily life.

“Believe,” the third pillar, is just as important. It encourages mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques, acknowledging that health isn’t only physical, it’s emotional and mental too. Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindful reflection help reduce stress and improve sleep, which are essential for overall well-being at any age.

Go For Bold doesn’t just motivate individuals. It brings the community together. Residents can sign up on the Weight Tracker to log pounds lost, either as individuals, teams or local organizations. This tool tracks overall community progress (not individual weights) toward that million-pound goal.

For older residents, participation can start simply: Put on comfortable shoes and walk around the neighborhood, join a group walk at a local park, or attend Go For Bold events that are scheduled throughout the year. Social activities linked to the initiative often include free or low-cost opportunities to be active, learn about nutrition or connect with neighbors.

“Go For Bold isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress,” Dowdell said. “For older adults especially, it’s the small, consistent steps that build strength, spark confidence and remind us that good health isn’t a distant goal. It begins here, together.”

Older adults can also ease into Go For Bold by taking advantage of local resources tied to the initiative: wellness classes at the YMCA, walking groups hosted by community centers or nutrition workshops through the health department.

At its core, Go For Bold is more than a weight-loss campaign; it’s a framework that invites everyone, especially older residents, to make meaningful, lasting changes. By doing just a bit more each day, eating with intention, and believing in their capacity for growth, participants contribute not only to a community goal, but to a healthier, happier life.

To learn more about Go For Bold, please visit www.meritushealth.com/goforbold.