Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge

Friday, January 6, 2012

What have I signed up for??

Hello new friends, old friends, and fellow challengers!

As you've already read, today was the kick off breakfast for the 2012 Go Red Better U Challenge! I must admit, I really had no idea what to expect. Now that the Challenge’s Official Start date of January 9 is only 3 short days away, reality is starting to sink in. As I was looking around the room listening to people speak about nutrition and exercise and heart healthy practices, I was hit by the thought that “Oh my gosh. What have I signed up for?? I have to completely change my lifestyle!” That thought was quickly followed by “I better eat everything in sight this weekend!!!” Of course, I’m kidding.

Kind of.

After the breakfast, the first thing I did was stop at the grocery to get lots of healthy foods to have on hand. With 3 small children and a rather picky eater of a husband, I have my work cut out for me in finding meals we can all eat together without quickly becoming a short order cook.

If you are reading this and you haven’t already signed up to take part in the 12 week challenge with us….do it now! It’s easy! Go to this link and register. https://www.goredforwomen.org/Registration.aspx There is an amazing tool for your computer that even syncs with your calendar to send you helpful hints and reminders. When it asks, put your start date as January 9 so that you can participate right along with the 7 of us challengers!! Be sure to leave a comment when you’ve signed up so we know who all is participating with us…then continue to share your challenges with us.

There is strength in numbers, my friends. Join us. Your heart will thank you!!

Molly

And the Journey begins !!

I feel so blessed to have been chosen along with six other lovely ladies to participate in this journey of knowledge of learning how to be more heart healthy.

We met with the committee and you can already "feel the love" and support from everyone there and the encouragement to step out of our "comfort zones" and learn,grow and make a change.

Who would've thought we would be doing interviews and talking to the media already!?
(Not sure if I was ready for my close up just yet, but got thru it just fine, no hair, makeup or lipstick issues lol ) Be sure to check out WTHR today at 5:20 segment!

Here's what I'm hoping to get out of this 12 week program.
*Better understanding on what is heart healthy lifestyle
*Focus on exercise and nutrition and what is best for my mind, body and soul!
*Lose some of this weight that is holding me back.
*Get off my high blood pressure medicine.

Some of you are probably wondering what is this 2012 Better U challenge and what all does it entail??? Here's a link to check out what we'll be doing and YOU can do it too! It's FREE!! (who doesn't LOVE FREE?!) http://www.goredforwomen.org/BetterU/

Here's a quote that is rescinating heart for this opportunity:
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”

A New Year-A New Me-A New Us!

After attending the kick off breakfast for the Go Red for Women gathering this morning, I come away with a new focus....a focus that not only involves getting myself healthier for 2012 and beyond, but reaching out to others to help them commit to a better, healthier year as well. I know that to many, heart disease is thought to be a "man's disease." But, as I learned this morning, 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer and 1 in 3 die from cardiovascular disease. In fact, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. So, my message to my friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, and other participants of the Go Red BetterU Makeover Challenge is that with each others help, support, camaraderie and prayers we will all make a difference to be a better, healthier population. Stay tuned for details as I give my all to this challenge. And, help to challenge yourself and others in your inner circle to become involved in a challenge that could help to save your life and theirs as well.

Kick Off Breakfast

What a way to start the 2012 BetterU Challenge. For the first time, all seven challengers got together for a kickoff breakfast at St.Vincent Heart Center. They got a chance to meet the BetterU committee members who will be supporting them as well as the St.Vincent medical team that will be providing professional guidance.

At the end of the meeting, we taped a news segment with Anne Marie Tiernon from WTHR and posed for a group photo.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Getting Started

The new 12-week challenge is almost here. Officially it starts Monday, but our seven new Challengers have already taken the first steps. Over the last two days, they've visited St.Vincent for a lipid panel screening, and they've scheduled visits with Julie Schnieders, the nurse practitioner who is going to meet with them and offer a personal consultation.

Friday morning we'll all meet for the first time for an orientation breakfast at St.Vincent Heart Center, and then it will be full steam ahead.

We're looking forward to reading all about their journey right here.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

New BetterU Challenge starts Jan. 9, 2012

Beginning at September's Indianapolis Heart Walk, we made a call out for a new round of BetterU Challengers. More than 60 people applied in just four weeks. Our BetterU committee narrowed it down to seven challengers, who will start the 12-week program on Jan. 9.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we introduce the challengers.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

It Can’t be Over!

It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings and I haven’t sung yet! I don’t want the 2011 BetterU program to end yet. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each one of the Challengers (aka The Fab Four) so much and I’m truly going to miss sharing the journey with you. I hope you all come to the wrap-up party next Monday. We’ll have to talk about keeping in touch. Maybe we can go another round of the BetterU program. That sounds like fun to me. Are you up for it? You all have inspired me tremendously by sharing your stories publicly with all of us. Your little lights are shining and I am so proud of you, Annette, Carla, Natale & Peggy! Sandy F.

Meet the BetterU Challengers

Julie B., 42, Marion – Julie was diagnosed with high blood pressure at age 14 even though she wasn’t overweight at the time. She has struggled with her weight for the last 15 years, has high cholesterol, arthritis and back problems. Her father had a heart attack 18 years ago, and Julie does not want to follow in his footsteps. She is pursuing a career in the medical field and wants to be a good example to others.

Laura, 55, Greenfield – Laura has a family history of heart disease and is looking to become a better role model for those she influences as a nursing instructor. Laura had quit smoking for 15 years, but resumed the habit about 1 ½ years ago. She would like to quit.

Molly, 35, Yorktown – Molly was a cheerleader in high school and was active in sports, but started struggling with her weight 15 years ago. She does part-time work for Ironman and doesn’t feel like the type of person who should represent that company. Molly has already started training for a 5k and is eager for the BetterU program to help her make changes for a healthier lifestyle.

Pamela, 42, Indianapolis – Pamela has struggled with weight her entire life. In April, she was put on high blood pressure medication. Already motivated to make changes, Pamela has lost 15 pounds while working with a wellness coach at work. BetterU can help her continue her journey.

Paula, 62, Greenwood – Paula recently retired after 40 years as a teacher. She was shocked when she needed aortic valve replacement in 2007, but it wasn’t enough of an impetus to cause her to stop smoking or adopt a healthier lifestyle. She loves to travel and wants to stop smoking and lose weight as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Renee, 63, Indianapolis – Renee’s mother passed away from a heart condition, and Renee has already had three stents implanted. She’s started taking care of herself, and is paying it forward by taking an 81-year-old friend to aerobics two days a week and to yoga once a week. Renee would like to get off some medications she is taking, and is looking for the professional guidance of the BetterU program to help her take the right path.

Ruthann, 58, Fishers – Ruthann suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest “out of the blue” five years ago. She was in a coma for four days and in the hospital for 12, yet came out of the experience with no physical or mental disabilities. She had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted and has since gained a lot of weight. She is looking for motivation to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle that can give her many more years.

Past BetterU Challengers

2011 BetterU Challengers
Natale, 28 – A staff R.N. who teaches patient families to take care of themselves, Natale knows it’s time to follow her own advice. Her hectic 12-hour days leave little time for herself. She’s ready for a change.
Carla, 37 – Carla doesn’t believe in dieting, but she has already made some positive changes to what she eats. Now she’s looking to keep up with her 70-year old father, who can climb the sand dunes in half the time it takes her.
Annette, 45 - Annette decided 2010 was her time to become a BetterU. She started exercising and eating right and lost 55 pounds. She wants to stay motivated and to inspire others.
Peggy, 57 – Peggy is obese and taking several medications. She lost her father and both maternal grandparents to heart attacks and knows this is her opportunity to change her fate.
2010 BetterU Challengers
Ruth Holladay - Ruth has a family history of heart disease. Her mother had a number of strokes and her father died of a heart attack at 46. A devoted grandmother, Ruth knows that now is the time to put herself first for a change. You can also find Ruth at RuthHolladay.com

Kimila Brown - Unhealthy lifestyles can sometimes be packaged in healthy looking packages, or so it would seem with Kimila. Although she’s not overweight, Kimila admits she no longer exercises. Once an avid bodybuilder and softball player, Kimila says she now barely remembers to eat. After several personal tragedies, she started smoking again – a habit she had quit for nine years. She spends all her time and energy working long hours as a teacher and working on a second master’s degree. She knows she is not healthy on the inside and doesn’t want to follow the same road many in her family have taken - her father died of heart disease and her grandparents both had strokes.

Dee Leonard - Heart disease and obesity runs in her family. She lost her grandmother to heart disease. Newly married, Dee knows she should be looking forward to a bright future. Instead, she worries about her future. Already overweight and never having been at a healthy BMI, she wonders what she will look like at 30 years old. Dee wants to learn to enjoy fitness and start making healthy meals for her family -- so that when she has children, she can bring them up in a healthy household.

Amy Magan – The mother of three, Amy wants to make sure she is around to see them grow up. She takes medications for her blood pressure and cholesterol. She feels this is the perfect time to change her life. She plans to attack the BetterU Challenge with humor and the support of her family who have vowed to be her personal cheerleaders. For more of Amy's efforts, check out The 4th Frog Blog.

Jessica Woodson – Jessica’s father died from a stroke. She said her family never even knew he had a heart problem. Overweight her entire life, Jessica knows she could be headed down the same path. She suffers from high blood pressure and her dosages of medication keep going up. She feels like there is so much she never accomplished because of her weight. She says she “wants to be able to cross my legs for a change” and doesn’t want to be the “girl with the cute face” anymore. For once in her life, she wants to know what it feels like to be healthy.