Excellent heart program tonight

Dr. Cusack just sat at the table and talked to us for an hour, answering questions and giving lots of helpful advice.  What a generous and funny woman (who can be influenced with Reeses's peanut butter cups...).  My takeaway was the huge impact diet and lifestyle can have on lowering your risk of heart events.  One comment I wrote down and need to remember is "use food as fuel, not entertainment."  Looking forward to learning more from the rest of the heart docs.  Every day, I feel lucky to be in this challenge.

Hello everyone!!!!
I am sorry i missed you Friday, i got an injury from the personal training on Thursday and was in to much pain to come. i pulled a muscle in my groin and ended up needing to go to the doctor. Luckily i did not give myself a hernia, but it is still very painful, i am on muscle relaxing pills and i plan to continue with the pogrom. Even my doctor is encouraging me to i just cant do anything on the floor for a while. So when i have my training tomorrow i plan to talk to the trainer and try to mostly work on upper body. This is a good lesson for everyone not to push themselves to hard, or top let your trainer talk you into doing so. Only you are in control of your body, so you know what your limits should be. Also if i do miss any events its usually because i am a student and i have things going on in school. But i am trying my very best to come to all the events going on in our group. I would love it if you all could email me and fill me in on anything interesting i miss.

Thanks and good luck everyone
-Julie

Week Three: Stick to Your Plan

Track Your Activity for Success
Research shows that women who track their eating and physical activity habits are more successful at improving them. Why? Tracking allows you to see the choices you make, determine whether you met your
goals, and learn what stopped you if you did not meet your goals.

You can also discover new ways to make healthier choices. For instance, if you typically grab a doughnut
for breakfast, you can plan ahead and bring a granola bar.

Tracking can seem like a lot of work. Use these tips to simplify the process.

Tip 1: Find a food and physical activity logging system that works for you. Paper, electronic, calendar, or notebook trackers are all examples of ways to track your meals and activities.

Tip 2: Focus on the behaviors you are trying to change. If you already eat more than 2.5 cups of fruit a
day, work on adding your 2.5 cups of veggies or eating heart-healthy fish twice a week.

Tip 3: Make the time for logging. Track your food and activity as you do it. This can help you know where you stand with your goals, and not forget anything you did or ate.

Physical Activity Is Everywhere.
Sneak in 10-minute or more bouts of activity throughout your day. Or, increase the intensity of the activities you already do. Your goal should be 150 minutes of activity a week.

At home: Clean with more vigor, take your kids or pet to the park to play, dig in the garden, or put on an exercise DVD instead of a movie.

At work: Take a brisk walk break instead of a smoke or coffee break; use the restroom, copy
or fax machine that's farthest away from your desk.

When you travel: Walk briskly around the airport rather than sitting before your flight and stay in a hotel that has a fitness facility and take along appropriate clothing and shoes.

Healthy Eating: Dining Out Done Right.

Eating out is okay! Almost every restaurant has at least one or two heart-healthy options, you just have to
plan ahead and know what you are going to order. Choose foods that are: baked, grilled, broiled, steamed, pan seared, dry sautéed or roasted. Avoid foods that are: fried (batter, pan, deep), sautéed, creamed, buttered, au gratin, scalloped, breaded or crispy.

Let's do this

Good morning ladies. We are into week 3. Are you seeing a change yet? I know I am and it's a positive feed back that makes me feel blessed I was chosen for this program. I hope everyone is finding there way and what works for them. Would love to hear from you via email. I hope your week is wonderful. 

Second Week Reflections

It's me Eden.    Been really busy at work and community.  So excited with the membership at HFI and I tried to go to different classes when it is not my group session training day.   I am very thankful that I am actually being active.   My group sessions are Mondays and Fridays at 6:15 a.m.  On Tuesday, I did walk with the Docs at 7 a.m.   On Wednesday, tried boot camp class at 6:30 p.m.  On Saturday, went to  10:30 a.m. Zumba class and  11:30 a.m. Barre.   Went to 1 p.m. Zumba class today.  Just love Zumba!   Bootcamp was really hard for me.   It is really worth trying the classes to see which one you like!   See you all at the lecture of Dr. Cusack tomorrow!

CT Food Bank Walk Sun. 4/27 in Bridgeport

Anyone care to join the Walk Against Hunger on Sun. 4/27 at Bridgeport's Seaside Park?  I created a team called the Better U Babes which right now is just me and my husband Evan (he loves being surrounded by interesting women).  It costs nothing although they will ask you about setting a fundraising goal, which you can make $0 if you want.  I believe the start time is 10am (site says 1am, which I'm guessing is a mistake) but I will need to get back to you on that.  I think it's a 5K (about 3 miles) walk or less.

Would love to see any or all of my Better U teammates as well and anyone from Stamford Hospital or American Heart Association who wants to come.  It's a festive couple hours with music, food, drink and t-shirts for all the walkers.  Here's a link for registration.  If you type better into the search box, you will find our team name.  See you tomorrow night at the 5:30 heart lecture with Dr. Cusack, Mary Ann

http://ctfb.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1090&pg=entry

Bruised but not beaten

I wound up pulling an abdomen muscle yesterday while doing medicine ball twists with Lisa.  It is keeping me from doing really active classes this weekend but I decided it shouldn't be an excuse for total inactivity so am hitting the pool instead.  Had hoped to do some outdoor walking but didn't see anyone other than ducks out in this weather. :)

Keeping up the enthusiasm

Well ladies we are heading into week 3. I am trying hard to keep my enthusiasm up and stay away from the scale. This journey has been an eye opener. Things I thought I couldn't do I am doing. Finding ME time is actually easier then I thought, it's just that I have to make the time. I feel stronger. My only demon honestly is the scale. It dictates my worth. I am learning that this process we are in is about heart heathy from the inside out. But in a society were what you weigh or what size you wear is most important I get sucked into that mentality. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Keep up the good work. 

Need an afternoon snack

When I work my 11-7pm shift by 5:00 I am hungry so I made a snack that had a little sweetness and protein

3/4 c Honey Nut Cheerio

1/4 c of peanuts

1/4 c of almonds

Put them in a ziploc Baggie, Shake and there you have a good snack without running to the vending machine

Life is about choices & we choose Life.. A healthy one. 

Be in the Know!

We welcome this guest blog post from:

Gavin Pritchard, RD, CDE, CD-N

Dietitian-Chef

Population Health and Prevention

Stamford Hospital 

Did you know that what you don’t know can hurt you?  Awareness of what the risk factors for heart disease and stroke are, and where you stand with them personally, is the courageous first step to take in maximizing your heart health. 

Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase your chance of developing heart disease and stroke.  Some risk factors we can’t change, like age, gender, and family history.  But others are within our power to control, like high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity and being overweight, high cholesterol, and diabetes. 

Small, simple changes in lifestyle can be really effective in improving these modifiable risks.  For example, slowly increasing your activity level by taking a daily walk of moderate intensity, and eating healthier by simply adding healthy ingredients like frozen or fresh vegetables, beans and lentils, and whole grains like barley, to your current recipes, can make a difference. 

So if you haven’t checked your risk profile in a while, or haven’t ever checked, take the important first step in preventing the number one killer of women, and contact your physician now! 

The American Heart Association's online risk assessment tool is available at www.mylifecheck.org .

Enjoying a new outlook

on food, exercise, etc.  I've been a member of Tully for years but have stayed mostly in the pool area.  I'm enjoying trying out the land classes like Senior Walking this morning, Yoga (harder than I expected) last Sun., etc.  It's sort of like being at a restaurant and trying out various dishes that sound good. 

I used to plan meals by buying a hunk of meat and figuring out some veggies to accompany it.  Now I'm trying to start with veggies and use the meat, if any, as the side dish.  I tried making a veggie stew yesterday using a bunch of frozen vegetables, some canned tomatoes and veggie burgers broken up into it - nice flavor but the burgers got a little mushy.  Had some of the microwave popcorn Michele recommended as an accompaniment rather than the tortilla chips mentioned in the recipe and it was very satisfying.  Definitely looking forward to tomorrow night's cooking class to get more ideas.

feeling supported

Hi Ladies,
        This is my first ever blog experience!I do not use e-mail etc.much,so this is one of many exciting things of this program for me!I am so thankful to all involved and for this great oppertunity.As we are in our second week,I am feeling excited.I'm already using many of the tools and advice in my daily activities and food intake.You are all so encouraging and supporting!Keep up the good work everyone!

I think i finely figured out how to use this website. We are entering week two of the Better You program and i am so proud of everyone for sticking with it, especially the people i have been working with in a group. I know its hard at times, its hard for me too, but we can do this, we can become stronger healthier woman. I believe in all of you!!!!!
-Julie

Crust or crust less quiche

Either using a crust or not is your choice, but this quiche is delicious either way

4 eggs
1/4 c of celery,carrots &onions chopped...
1/4 c lite cheddar cheese
1/3 c low fat half n half

2 sl canadian bacon

Sauté celery,carrots and onions in olive oil salt n pepper to taste

Chop up canadian bacon and saute with above items
 Beat the eggs and add half n half. After cooling veggies add to eggs and then add cheese.
*if you are using a pie crust pre bake it*
After all ingredients are mixed together pour into pie crust (or lightly buttered pie plate)

Add a side salad to complete your meal

You can add any veggies or meats if you so chose.

Marinated asparagus

Another good recipe from the Go Red Cookbook (p.201).  I cut up the asparagus to make it easier to steam and eat.  The marinade tastes like dumpling sauce with a hint of orange.  Asparagus is so fresh and plentiful right now it's fun to find a new way to prepare it.

Realizing This Journey

I am realizing that this is a journey, not a 12 sprint.  We have for so long put ourselves last and now we have to learn to but ourselves first. It's hard, we are women, we have jobs, family, friends, and just everything else that comes our way that we take on.  I feel blessed to be able to learn a lifestyle with not only 10 other wonderful women, but the others that have our backs.  When they say it takes a village...  well I feel that is true.  We cannot do this alone, we need support systems, back ups and positive thinkers.  As we go into week two, we should be proud of our accomplishments so far, whether they are big or small they are accomplishments and they are ours. 

Eden's First Blog

This is Eden and this is my first blog ever!!!  I am so thankful for this Better U experience.   I know that this will indeed help me with my lifestyle change.   I am an Asian with so much medical problems and I am turning 60 this year.  The other ladies in the program are such inspiration to me!   I had my first group exercise session on Friday and was I sore on the thighs and arms!   Went to the 1 p.m  Zumba on Sunday which was a lot of fun.   This morning (Monday) was my second group session and my knees and shoulders are sore but I am happy that my muscles are waking up!   I did not exercise before except for occasional walking but this is going to change!   Had a wonderful baseline  appointment last Monday with Donna and Jinger.   I Learned  a lot of nutritional tips from initial nutrition evaluation with Gavin.   Thank you to AHA and Stamford Hospital for making this possible!

Giving Up an Old Friend

It's been so many years that I have been drinking Diet Coke.  I drank so much of this stuff, I actually have a christmas ornament diet coke can.  I knew going into this new journey that it was going to have to be something I give up.  It was a comfort drink that got me thru my afternoons at work.  Well now I had to find a new friend.  We'll DC wasn't an easy friend to replace, but little by little I have tried more healthy options.  I have now brought almonds into my afternoons.  I still miss my friend, but I know it was best for me.  Has anyone else had to let go of a special friend?

feeling prepared!!!

Hi everyone,

I feel very excited as we start our second week.  I feel ready to stick to and hopefully improve my exercise routine with my group and by myself.  But, most of all, I feel prepared for the meals that I’ll be making this week. Sunday I went to Shop Rite and I bought all the things I needed for the week: chicken breast, broccoli, spinach, carrots and celery for chicken soup; chickpeas, butternut squash and brown rice for another day, and beef for a nice stew in the crockpot.  Additionally, I bought pears, apples, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries (that were on sale) and fat free Greek yogurt for snacks. Already, after my meeting with Gavin, I’m beginning to think differently as I do my shopping.  
I wish everyone a great week!!!
Gabriela

Week Two - Know Your Risk Factors for Heart Disease & Stroke

Start with the Facts – What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You

Every woman has strengths and weaknesses. When talking heart health, weaknesses are known as risk factors. Risk factors are a variety of conditions or behaviors that increase your chance of developing heart disease and stroke. Some risk factors you have no control of like:

• Age
• Race
• Family history

Others, you can control by choosing to make changes to your lifestyle. For example: 

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity or being overweight
• Diabetes

Knowing your risk factors is an important step in shaping up your heart. To learn your risk, just get your most recent numbers (cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, weight) and then plug them into the Go Red Heart Checkup. It will tell you your 10 year risk of developing heart disease and identify your risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Trying to retrain my tummy

to learn that it's not going to get fed every time it growls, especially in the evening.  I'm getting a better feel for real hunger vs. some of the "sport eating" I used to do when passing through the kitchen, Costco or other places where food is easily accessible, i.e. pop cakes in the grocery.  Keeping a food log is making me conscious of just how many calories I used to eat casually, especially things like chunks of cheese, a couple spoonfuls of almond butter or a little dish of buttered pasta or quinoa at night.  I'm still going to have a snack at night but I'm trying to find better options, like a 130 calorie Greek yogurt instead of pasta or cheese.  If anyone has healthy snack ideas to share, I'd love to hear them.  Thanks.

Chicken Oreganata

was a hit at our house tonight (p.98 of Go Red Cookbook). Flavorful, crunchy topping and am betting it will taste even better tomorrow after the lemon and oregano have seeped in.  FYI, ShopRite Commerce Park has whole wheat panko on the shelf of the Asian food section, there's none in the regular bread crumb and panko aisle.  Only other tip is to spoon topping onto the pounded thin chicken breasts and it gets nice and crunchy, any that goes between pieces in the pan juices gets mushy.  We served it with kale salad and grilled vegetables.  Yum.

Vegetables

If you told me last week that I would be eating this many vegetables, I would say, umm NO.  But over this week I have eaten a good amount of vegetables and found a new one along the way. Brussels Spouts were one of those veggies I saw others eat, but not any interest for me. This week a family member said, try it, you'll like it.  Well they were right, I cut them up, drizzled a little olive oil on them and sprinkled salt and pepper, put them into a pre heated oven of 375.  Well 15 minutes later, I had a delicious new veggie in my life.  If your looking for something new, try them, you may like them.

Sore but happy

We had Joe A. as a substitute trainer yesterday and boy, did he give us a workout!  It was only me and a woman from Win to Lose.  He had us doing TRX, medicine balls, drills up and down 2 flights of stairs, raising 12-lb. bars over our heads, laying on the floor and lifting both legs, doing planks, etc.  My sore spots have sore spots but it feels good to be challenging my body in new ways.  I'm planning to try a couple recipes from the Go Red cookbook this weekend and will let everyone know how they go. 

Our First Week

Well ladies we have completed our first week.  I met today with Gavin and Jinger and learned things I didn't know, and some things I already did.  I realized leaving the meeting that I am so lucky to be one of the 11 women chosen for this great journey.  I am a little stronger, a little wiser, and a whole lot happier with myself.  I live by the motto "Everything happens for a reason". My reason to be here, is to learn, listen and in the end pay it forward and help others learn what we are learning and help them get health from the inside out.  I used to worship my scale, but no longer, the scale is just a number, but the feeling after eating a healthy meal or taking an excerise class is priceless.

Michele

Quick, heathy snack idea

One of the things Gavin suggested to me as a way to get more veggies was to use them as snacks.  Here's one that takes less than a minute to make and is surprisingly tasty.  Mix 1 T. peanut or almond butter with 2 T. vanilla or plain yogurt in a small bowl (tastes sort of caramel-y with almond butter) and slather it on 2 ribs of celery.  Total is about 100-120 cals. and it gives you a cup or so of veggies.  My hubby is not a fan of celery but he will eat it prepped this way.

Happy Spring

It's finally the first day of spring and you know what that means. No excuses, grab your sneakers and get outside for a nice walk. I hope everyone is doing well. I hope today puts a "Spring" on your step.

Michele

Over whelmed is my middle name

I don't know about anyone else but I am over whelmed.  Gone are the days of grabbing a quick meal or snack or brushing off going to the gym just because you don't want to. That was my M.O.  Now I have to really put the time in to think about making healthy meals and snacks. Having things available so when hunger hits there are healthy options at my finger tips. And the excerise. Well now I have to schedule gym time or other events to get excerise into my weekly routine. HELP. I'm over whelmed. I feel like the little engine that could. With each hill I climb I just say I think I can..I think I can. And I know with the help of my 11 new friends I will. 

Michele

"KICKED-BUTT"? NOT EXACTLY...

Tonight was the first of many nights Julie, Susan and I worked out with our Tully Center trainer, Joe.
At the end of our hour together, Joe gave us a congratulatory "...you kicked-butt tonight".  I didn't kick anything...o.k, maybe I "barely grazed-butt" tonight! 

At one point in the session, Susan, Julie and I were on the track together.  As the three of us made our way around and around and around the track, I thought about the saying;  

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up! 

Julie and Susan, we did just that tonight.  And we'll keep doing it!   I wish all of the women on our BetterU Challenge team a great first week!

We are not all Ferraris

so we shouldn't expect to go from 0-60 in our first week of exercise, especially if we haven't been regularly active. It was fun to have my first group personal training today (which I enjoyed sharing with Margie) but, as we were walking around, I could hear people in other groups saying things like "how many classes a day can I take?" and I thought to myself "these people are going to burn out in 2 weeks."  Granted those folks are in the Win to Lose weight loss challenge but you still don't want to kill yourself up front and find you can't make it to the finish line.  I've been going to the pool several days a week for a few years and can feel several muscles letting me know they got a workout today they weren't used to.  I had initially planned to go to all land classes as of this week but I think that's probably too aggressive and I should do a mix of what I'm used to and a couple new things until I build up more strength.  Right now, I look much more like a Volkswagen Beetle than a Ferrari but I'm hoping to trade this rusty old clunker for a sleeker model in June. :)

Welcome to Week One of BetterU!

Just the Facts – 1 in 3 Odds for Heart Disease, 2 Women Will live, 1 Will Die

Think about two women in your life that are important to you – friends, family members, or co-workers. Odds are that out of the three of you, one will develop some form of heart disease in the course of your life. Even scarier is that this disease can kill you! Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 killers of women, killing nearly twice as many women as all forms of cancer.

You probably know how to take care of your outer body and to manage your weight, but taking care of your inner body may seem more difficult. It's a misconception that adopting a "healthy lifestyle" takes too much time. While it's easy to say that tomorrow is a better time to start, it's up to you to choose to start changing now. Heart and blood vessel problems happen as we age, but if you can stay healthy until you turn 50, your chances of developing heart disease drastically decrease.

Over 12 weeks with the Better U program, you will learn your personal risk of heart disease and stroke and small changes you can make to live a stronger, longer life. Knowing what you need to do is not enough. Choose to start incorporating new, healthier behaviors into your life today.

Focus on Your Goals
Research shows that women who set goals are far more successful in changing their physical activity and eating behaviors. Following the SMART principles of goal setting you can improve your chances of success
even more.

Specific. Your goals should clearly state what you want to accomplish and by when.

Measurable. A SMART goal can be measured. "Two days this week I will ride my bike for 20 minutes."

Appropriate. Make sure your goals are right for you. For example, if you are already exercising regularly,
focus on decreasing saturated fats.

Realistic. A goal that is not realistic will never be attained. So why set it? Select a goal that is realistic for
you.

Time frame. Short-term goals are the building blocks for long-term goals. Focus on the specific things you
will work on each week.

Think simple — and remember that lifestyle changes don't have to be drastic. Then pair your short-term
goals with a reward. For example:

Goal No. 1: This week, I'll find 30 minutes in my day every day to be physically active.
Reward: Go see a movie on Saturday with my best friend.

Goal No. 2: By the end of the week, I'll read two new articles about the benefits of eating healthy.
Reward: Treat myself to a new package of herbal bath salts and read a magazine while soaking in the
tub.

If something is important...it usually takes a lot of work...REALLY

I saw Eden and Mary Ann this morning as we began our journey to a lifetime of better health.  I just spent an amazing hour with many of the professionals who are so committed to our success and will guide, educate and support us for the next 12 weeks. Thank you, again, to everyone who is making The BetterU Challenge happen! 

I'm preparing myself for the road to be a long and bumpy one; hopefully not too many mountain passes where the shoulder of the road is nothing more than a few scattered rocks...like that's going to keep you from driving off into the gorge below!  I managed to find time to stay in good physical condition for most of my adult life; even as a single parent, commuting to NYC every day with a demanding job and all of the typical commitments with family and friends.  I made it happen. I know that I'm still that same person and can make it happen again.  I also know how much work it's going to take to get back to good health and I'm ready to start! 

To my 10 new friends... PLEASE push me, hold me accountable and call me on my nonsense when I find some very creative excuses not to do what I should...and we'll share in celebrating every success - big and small! 

Today's the day

Good luck to my teammates. Today is the day of our new lifestyle. Today we put  ourselves  first in order to be there for our family and friends. We are strong,we are committed, we are women!  Let's do this😃

I'm psyched!

to be part of this group and to participate in this wonderful opportunity.  I feel like I've already won a big prize as I look through the reading materials, cookbook, etc.  I'm excited and a little scared about assessments and personal training and hope I will do a good job following the nutritional counseling advice I receive.  So happy that the program marries exercise and nutrition.  I've tried a ton of diets and a variety of exercise here and there and think the real key will be coming up with a combination that works. 

We're Picking Up the Pen...

...and writing our names on our own priority list!  With the amazing support of the American Heart Association-Go Red for Women and Stamford Hospital,  I've joined a brave group of women to share the journey toward a lifetime of better health.  I'm guessing that as we get to know each other better, we'll find that one thing we share is the tendency common to so many women; placing our love of and commitment to family, friends, work and community ahead of taking the time to care for ourselves.  We all do it all of the time.  Even when we know that the people in our lives who love us, depend on us and value who we are in their lives, want nothing more than for us to be around for a long, long time - happy, engaged and most of all - HEALTHY!  The Stamford BetterU Challenge officially begins on Monday and ladies - we're in this together!

Meet the BetterU Challengers!

The Westchester-Fairfield American Heart Association will conduct the BetterU Makeover Challenge program to assist eleven local women on their journey toward improved heart health through lifestyle changes. The 12-week BetterU program is being sponsored by Stamford Hospital. The program’s goal is to remind all women of the need to make healthy lifestyle choices to prevent their number one and three killers – heart disease and stroke.

The eleven women selected for the Challenge were introduced at a kick-off event at Stamford Hospital’s Tully Health Center. They are: Mary Ann Dunnell, Karen Knight, Michele Martinich, Gabriela Bravo-Diaz, Eden Huang and Julie Alswanger of Stamford. Susan Gerulis and Sandra Greer of Norwalk, Margie Place from Darien, Deborah Miller from Bridgeport and Veta Ferguson from the Bronx.

Seated (L to R): Karen Knight, Sandra Greer, Margie Pace, Eden Huang

Standing: Judy Campisi, AHA Executive Director; Mary Ann Dunnell; Susan Gerulis; Julie Alswanger; Deb Miller; Gabriela Bravo-Diaz; Veta Ferguson; Michele Martinich, Dr. Michael Coady, Stamford Hospital Chief & Program Director of Cardiovascular Surgery

Each of the women will receive a three-month membership to Stamford Hospital’s Health and Fitness Institute, including baseline and 12-week medical readings, culinary and nutrition classes, heart health seminars and group workouts, all supported by specialists from Stamford Hospital. Participants will share their personal stories on a dedicated blog for the program and they will be celebrated at the annual Go Red for Women luncheon on May 30, 2014 in Greenwich.

"It is important to continue raising awareness of heart health - particularly for women - so we are pleased to support the Better U Nutrition and Fitness program and work with this group of women who will not only benefit directly, but will also demonstrate that even small lifestyle changes can improve heart health in a big way,” said Kathleen Silard, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, Stamford Hospital. “Being the cause partner of the Go Red for Women campaign in Fairfield and Westchester Counties is a key component to Stamford Hospital’s commitment to women’s heart health and we encourage all women to participate and learn how to prevent their number one health threat – heart disease.”

All women are invited to join GoRedForWomen.org online to learn about their risk for heart disease and takes steps to improve their heart health. Heart disease takes the life of one in three women -- almost one woman every minute. Studies show that 80 percent of cardiac events in women are preventable with simple lifestyle choices involving diet, exercise and smoking.

The BetterU 12-week program begins March 14^th and runs through early June. All participants will be celebrated at the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon on May 30^th in Greenwich, CT. Follow their progress online at http://betterustamford.blogspot.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartCT and on Twitter @HVHeartAssoc.

For tickets or information about the Go Red For Women Luncheon, please visit http://westfairgoredluncheon.ahaevents.org . Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy’s.  Local sponsors include Cause Sponsor Stamford Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, Morgan Stanley, Webster Bank, and media sponsors Westchester Magazine and 100.7 WHUD. For more information about Go Red For Women in Westchester/Fairfield, contact Deena.Kaye@heart.org or by phone at 914-640-3261.

Welcome to the BetterU Blog!

We're so happy to announce that on Friday, March 14th at 5:00pm the Stamford BetterU participants will be announced! They will take a 12-week journey toward heart health with the American Heart Association and program sponsor, Stamford Hospital! We'll have photos and the names on Friday!