The Journey begins with the first step

In October of 2011 I was watching Channel 13 and heard about the Go Red For Women BetterU Program. "Interesting", I said to myself. So I submitted my essay describing why I wanted to participate in the Go Red For Women BetterU Challenge and to my surprise I was selected. What A blessing! With a family history of heart disease and having had a heart attack and with 3 stents implanted, the BetterU Challenge will be a support as I continue on my healthy life style journey.

Just yesterday we had our first meeting of the new seven BetterU Challengers at a kickoff breakfast. The bonding was immediate because we all had so much in common. What a delight to also meet the professional support staff that will assist us on this part of our journey. But the seven of us who are this years Challengers are not the only ones that can embark on learning how to become heart healthy. You too can take the first step and sign up for the 12 week online BetterU Program challenge. Register at https://www.goredforwomen.org/Registration.aspx There are a range of resources and tools provided online, in additon to the blogs. Share with us your challenges and successes. Most important remember, the journey begins with the first step.

Renee

Kickoff breakfast.....GO RED!

We had a great kickoff breakfast yesterday at St. Vincent Heart Center! The official start is Monday the 9th, but we are getting things rolling! I met my 6 fellow challengers who are committed to making their health a priority. I was blown away by the amount of people at the kickoff, people that are there for us to give guidance and support. People were there from the American Heart Association, Staff from St. Vincent Heart Center, previous Go Red BetterU Challengers, i could go on and on! I can tell you, they didn't just show up to make an appearance....they believe in this heart and soul! I feel so fortunate and blessed to be given this opportunity.

I am learning so much already. Did you know that 80% of cardiac events in women are linked to poor choices, involving diet, exercise and smoking? The numbers are staggering...but the good news is that we can do something about this! Lets all love our hearts and commit ourselves to making better choices. Are you ready to get started yourself? You can take the 12 week challenge too online, just go to "https://www.goredforwomen.org/Registration.aspx". There are some great tools that you will also find to help you out. If you sign up, leave a comment and let me know, I want to hear of your progress too!

Love your ♥!
Julie

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.

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.