BetterU Video

Wow! This 12 weeks has gone fast. Only one week to go. Here's the video that was shown at the Go Red For Women Luncheon in February.

Newspaper Article

My local newspaper did a little story on me that was in today's edition.  Feels kind of weird to see myself in print!  Click below to read the story!

Molly Day works out with her personal trainer Amanda Kenney
 at the Yorktown YMCA on Feb. 24. / Ashley L. Conti / The Yorktown Press

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120308/YOURTOWNS01/203080302/Yorktown-woman-works-get-healthy?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage%20DontMiss|p

Time of Reflection

It's been a whirlwind of knowledge, opportunities and craziness at times for me but I tell you one thing I wouldn't change a thing.

The mere thought of putting myself out there and people following my progress freaks me out a little but if I can be an inspiration to someone else and reach someone to open up their eyes and ears and realize that this thing call HEART DISEASE can strike the healthiest of people and the simple changes you can do to protect your heart and get healthy then I've served my purpose!

I'm not just on this journey for the 12 weeks they say in the program, I'm realistic in saying that its a lifestyle change I'm committed to for the LONG HAUL and I'm doing my darnest to get off this high blood pressure medicine and bonus if I lose the weight along the way that I've struggled with for most of my adult life.

Seeing changes in myself physically (having to buy smaller clothes, yea!), emotionally (learning what my triggers are and how to best react or devert to situations),and my confidence level is rising.

One of the coolest things was being able to be a part of the GoRedForWomen Luncheon that was held on Feb. 17th, in Downtown Indy at the beautiful JW Marriott.

I was fortunate to have my dear friend an a breast cancer survivor, Tammy Culbertson came as my guest for the event. Never saw so many beautiful women, all shapes and sizes all decked out in their RED outfits all fired up and focused on the purpose to raise money and awareness of Heart Disease in women!

There was many seminars to check out as well wide range of vendors, from hospitals, to grocery stores, handing out various samples of food, and paper work all focused on HEART Health. There was even mini screening area too. We even got a SWAG bag of free stuff too! Who doesn't LOVE FREE stuff!?! I enjoyed hearing from one of the CardioThrorasic Surgeons and how heart disease has affected his family.

Even Tammy said how she even learned something about heart disease and how it relates to diabetes and overall health.

The luncheon/program and fashion show was a whirlwind, it went by too fast!

I was nervous wreck about changing into my fashion show clothes then sitting in them at the table and eating lunch!(for those who know, you know WHY! I managed to NOT get anything on me,that is a feat of its own!)Then, we had to head behind the curtain to as they started the program and it was weird to see myself up on the big screen talking in the presentation... (was told I was in it a "little bit" ha, ha!!! it was ALOT!, I didn't remember some of the questions that were asked back at the kick off breakfast but I did pretty good!

Then it was "deer in headlights time",getting up on that stage, waiting for my queue then looking out into the audience going uh oh no everyone is looking at ME!!! don't fall, don't trip, smile, is there something in my teeth?? is your zipper up? is your shirt down, now what do I do with this purse??? random things like that.. I must say we all ROCKED the catwalk ladies!!! Laura we missed you dearly but so excited you kicked that smoking habit,oh yea!

Did you know that this event is the largest one in the country??
They RAISED $594,000 at the event as well! How incredible is that??

I can't thank the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate staff enough for letting us be a part of this great event, it was truly an honor!

Being in the Sunday paper was also a big honor. Renee, Ruthann and I were featured in the paper and the photoshoot was a blast wasn't sure what pics they'd choose lol.

In case you missed it, here's the link:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20120219/LIVING01/202190307/3-women-take-up-Go-Red-BetterU-Challenge-improve-their-heart-health

The response from the article along has been great!, I've had numerous coworkers come up to me asking for my autograph and encourage me and some have also said they've checked out the site to see if they are at risk and are making heart healthy choice.

Are you worth it? YOU KNOW YOU ARE, There's only one you so do everything you can to live your life heart healthy!

GO RED LUNCHEON

If you didn't attend the luncheon, you missed out! It was fabulous! It was a sea of red, and what a beautiful sight it was! It was so much fun. We did miss one of our fellow challengers, Laura, due to illness. My only complaint, the time went by too fast! I didn't get to do everything i wanted to. There was some fabulous art work on display, and time just didn't permit for me to browse and admire them all.

I got my makeup done! Sweet! There were hair stylists there as well. My friend, Jody Lee, accompanied me to the luncheon. We were sure to hit up the photo booth in the Love Your Heart Lounge, and we love our pics! I posted the pics and included a photo of all the free stuff we received! I got a foot thing done, not exactly a massage, but the exact term is escaping me, but it was fabulous. My friend got a neck massage that she loved! I saw a belly dancer giving a demonstration! How cool! What a fun way to do your heart some good! And free stuff! We got some amazing free stuff! Pacer tickets for one thing! Can you believe that I've never been to a Pacer game? Well that's about to change! I got a really cool exercise band that can give you quite a workout. I was freaking out because I left my house without my hair brush. And what do you know, they were giving hair brushs away! The hair Gods had my back!

I have to admit I was too nervous to eat my lunch, because we had to take the stage and strut our stuff on the catwalk. However, you best believe I ate the fabulous chocolate cake that I believe was only 250 calories and divine! Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? lol Julie Schnieder of St. Vincent Center For Womens Health and Anne Marie Tiernon of WTHR did a fabulous job, and put us at ease. Though I felt very much out of my comfort zone being on stage in front of 1,000 people, but I made it thru without falling and even rocked a red feather boa with my Macys outfit and accessories. And I have to mention Brea Carlson, her story was so touching. And this my friend, is what it's all about. Saving lives, so that another young girl isn't left motherless due to a cardiovascular event that could possibly be prevented.

Tim Harms and Julie Petr of The American Heart Assocation were on hand, and they are always so supportive and full of encouragment. Tims wife was kind enough to help us backstage and make sure we didn't miss our cue.

I ran into one of my favorite people, Adrienne D'Angelo from St. Vincent Center For Womens Health. She is like a walking encyclopedia, full of knowledge I tell you! She explains things in a way that makes sense to even me! Now, if she could just explain one of my radiology classes to me, Radiation Physics, life would be good!

Love your heart,
Julie

Sharing Progress

I sure missed seeing all of my fellow challengers and attending the annual event!!!! I hope someone took some pictures so that I can see each of you decked out for the fashion show. I saw Renee on TV and the beautiful spread in the Sunday Indianapolis Star -- each of you looked fabulous!!

Well -- a little update on my progress in this challenge. I have really cleared out my kitchen and have wonderfully healthy choices of food available (although I know there is some emergency pasta still tucked in there somewhere!!). Some big news from me -- I visited my physician for an annual exam last week, and here are my lipid panel results!!!!!!!!!
2011 Cholesterol:  224    February 2012 Cholesterol:  129
2011 Triglycerides:  236      February 2012 Triglycerides:  79
2011 HDL:  45                 February 2012 HDL:  47
2011 LDL:  122               February 2012 LDL:  68

I am totally bowled over by the results!!!!! Just look at the difference in the triglycerides (that level can be deadly!!!), and the LDL!!!!  All I can say is -- this is living proof that simple changes in food choices absolutely can make a dramatic difference in these critical lipid levels AND prevent killer coronary artery disease!!! I hope that this will be convincing proof for any of you out there who are trying to make changes in your lifestyle to prevent heart disease (and other major artery disease).

So what made the big difference in my levels?? Well -- I am convinced that because I cut out pasta and bread from my diet (yes -- these were all I ate day after day for years!!) -- my triglyceride levels took a dive. Remember that extra empty carbohydrates are stored as FAT. Otherwise -- I have followed the sage advice from Adrienne -- she is at the top of my list of one of my all time favorite people in life -- I learned so much from her about diet!!! I have been limiting fat intake to about 25 grams per day, and replacing any empty carbohydrates with more complex carbohydrates! That is it! By the way -- just can't rave enough about the St. Vincent Heart Center and the American Heart Association!!!! They are going above and beyond to help women change the course and current sad statistics about killer heart disease in this country!!! If any of you readers following along would like to know how to contact and set up consultation with Adrienne -- just respond to my blog!! Or for any information about St. Vincent Women's Health center!!!

I am really finding that taking small steps in choosing lifestyle changes to promote health result in immediate changes in how one feels and looks -- and I can't emphasize enough that as you begin to make changes -- your results will end up producing exceeding motivation to stay on the course longterm!!!!

Ladies Shine

The BetterU ladies looked amazing Friday at the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon. They really flourished in the spotlight and made a huge impact on the 1,000 women in attendance.

The media have also taken notice.

Three challengers were included in Sunday's Indianapolis Star, and Renee Jones was part of a story on WRTV-6.

Luncheon

Oh my goodness, what a fabulous time.  If you weren't a part of the 2012 Go Red for Women Luncheon at the J.W. Marriott yesterday, you missed out.  There were so many people giving out freebies!!  (I am a freebie junkie!)  Amazing people doing amazing things for women.  The luncheon was emceed by Anne Marie Tiernon who is a beautiful individual!   Six of the 7 challengers were there modeling (we missed poor Laura who was sick!) We modeled our fabulous clothes from Macys.

I'll share more details soon but thank you to all involved in the American Heart Association for treating us to that!