Follow several Michiana women who are ready to improve their health with the Go Red BetterU Heart Healthy Makeover Challenge. They will address their unique health obstacles as they take the 12-week challenge. By using BetterU, a free online tool that provides resources and tools, and receiving support from a team of experts, the women will be on their way to leading longer, healthier lives. Why not join BetterU today so you, too, can become a BetterU!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Challenge Yourself to be a Better You Too

The BetterU Challenge is for all of us. The BetterU Challenge provides the average person with information, education, guidance and support. By making a series of small changes over time you will make a big difference in our health and wellness by reducing their risks of cardiovascular disease over your lifetime. Reducing heart risks such as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and weight not only improve quality of life; it saves money on doctor bills, medications, hospital admissions and sick days. Isn't that what we all want?

Even though the Go Red for Women BetterU Makeover Challenge is designed to educate women about heart disease, men can jump on board too.  More and more men are becoming interested in the health and wellness of their mothers, sisters, and daughters.  Men also need to know the principles are for them too!

While heart disease is preventable it remains the No. 1 killer of women in the U. S., thus, the association’s Go Red for Women Initiative is a 12-week program that saves lives! The BetterU program is powered by the American Heart Association’sresearch and provides guidance to transform overall health through small, simple choices.  Go Red BetterU is not about fad diets or new exercise trends. Becoming a Better You is about making lasting lifestyle changes. Fewer than half of Americans maintain a healthy weight, keep a heart healthy diet, and get regular physical activity. Millions are struggling to get motivated to begin a health regimen feeling too tired or like they just don’t have time.

The bottom line is prevention.  Now more than ever is the time to move towards creating a healthy life for your family, your co-workers and your community. It’s not easy, but it is simple when you have the right tools and support to make lasting healthy changes. The American Heart Association offers many national programs that are gaining great success in our community including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women BetterU program.

The AHA Go Red for Women Michiana BetterU Makeover Challenge 

Twelve women from Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center were chosen from over 80 applicants to participate in the 2013 Challenge. The Challenge began with a kick-off on February 12, 2013 where we provided an overview of the challenge, one-on-one interviews with the nutrition, fitness and leadership coaching, pre-lab and health risk assessments. 

Throughout the 12-week challenge we offered the challengers bi-weekly face-to-face meetings and conference calls, periodic weigh-ins, individual wellness coaching, healthy shopping tour, healthy cooking class, and post-labs and health risk assessments. The program includes weekly goal setting, educational information, a food/exercise diary and behavior modification tools. The Michiana BetterU Blog and Facebook Page are also recommended for participants to share their successes, frustrations and helpful information with the group.

The American Heart Association Go Red for Women BetterU program goals include: Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Lower Heart Disease Risk Factors and Making Lasting Changes. Over 12-weeks the BetterU participants met the challenge and experienced the following improvements:

Challenge: Make Lasting Changes
¨  100% Commitment to continue with healthy lifestyle changes
¨  100% Experienced a sense of accomplishment
¨  100% More aware of healthy lifestyle choices
¨  87.5% Feeling more alert + energized + more productive

Challenge: Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
¨  100% Improved Heart Score = reduced heart health risks
¨  77% Increased overall heart score = less likely to have a heart attack
¨  100% Lost weight (group total 67 lbs. w/avg. wt. loss of 1 lb. per week)

Challenge: Make Healthier Food Choices
¨  100% Know healthy foods, low sodium, high fiber, low & good fats
¨  100% Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
¨  100% Implemented lifestyle strategies to improve food choices

Challenge: Exercise Regularly
¨  100% Added exercise of some form of regular activity
¨  87.5 % Improved body mass index (BMI)

Challenge: Develop Your Leadership
¨  87.5% Experienced a positive shift in their leadership
¨  100% Have a clear vision of how they will continue applying the
BetterU program in their daily lives
¨  87.5 feel empowered to take on new leadership roles

We look forward to celebrating with the BetterU Challengers at the Go Red For Women event on May 9th,the opportunity to participate in an “unveil” during the luncheon and their successful journey to a Better You.

Your partner in health,

.




Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA
Health Coach

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