You’ve been hearing about it for months and now it is a reality. The Healthy Bridgeport app is now available at no cost to users. And the time is just right, said Healthy Bridgeport team leader Abby Veigel.

 

"I think people are taking time to think about goals they want to accomplish in the new year  - physically, mentally and emotionally," she said. "They might be feeling tired and yucky after holiday season binging and need a restart."

 

With three primary focuses – Mind, Move and Eat – the interactive app features resources including workouts, healthy recipes, meditation, devotions and the ability to track daily goals. Those who meet goals will earn points and be in the running to win monthly prizes.

 

Anyone is welcome to use the app. Bridgeport users who accomplish 60 percent of available points each month will be entered into prize drawings. Ten individuals will be drawn at random monthly to earn prize packages including a $100 Kroger gift card, FitBit, Healthy Bridgeport T-shirt and prize of the month.

 

A certified health and wellness coach, Veigel said developing an app has been a passion project.

 

“Almost everyone owns a smart phone and spends so much time on it,” she said. “I thought an app would be the best and most efficient way to spread health and wellness knowledge to the community.”

 

Created by Clinten and Ashley Aragona, members of the Healthy Bridgeport steering committee, the app was part of Team Bridgeport’s projected plan in the 2020 Health Games sponsored by Healthy Harrison. After the mid-October announcement that Bridgeport had won the grand prize, finishing touches were placed on the app and a test launch took place.

 

Healthy Bridgeport is also sharing information and resources through its Web site healthybridgeport.com and Facebook page where followers can stay up to date with other major Healthy Bridgeport initiatives including the Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown weight loss challenges for which $15,000 in cash is up for grabs. Also in the works is a wellness 10K and festival.

 

To gear up for the public app launch, Healthy Bridgeport sponsored a “12 Days of Fitmas” contest which offered daily wellness tips and the opportunity to win daily prizes, including an Apple watch, Visa, Kroger and Wonder Bar gift cards, WV Fitness gym membership and more.

 

Thanks to the partnership with Healthy Harrison, many additional major prize opportunities are ahead.

 

“This will help encourage participation and foster accountability; things that are key to the success of the app and ultimately the key to a healthier Bridgeport,” Veigel said.

 

A healthier, more resilient community is definitely the most important takeaway of the program, she said.

 

The Healthy Bridgeport app is available at Apple and Google Play stores. Over 250 individuals have downloaded the app, many already interacting and tracking daily goals. 

 

 

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