BetterU Women Complete 12-Week Health Challenge

Congratulations to the Fairfield County women who completed the American Heart Association 12-week BetterU Challenge, sponsored by Stamford Hospital! What a wonderful evening to celebrate their achievements and send them off on the next leg of their healthy journey. Even though BetterU is over, we know they will take their new healthy habits with them to live a heart-healthier life!

Thank you to Stamford Hospital, the BetterU program sponsor, for their support of the program and for their commitment to women's health. And many thanks to the staff supporting the participants for their leadership, inspiration and motivation!

And thanks to Kendra Porter, Image Consultant, Glo Beauty Bar and Denise Simon Studios for providing free beauty makeovers for the group for the evening! 

The BetterU participants had some outstanding results from the program!

As a group:

• 42.2 lbs total weight loss or 3.0% drop in body weight for group overall
• 26.4% drop in triglycerides 
• 4.1% drop in fasting glucose
• 8.7% drop in resting heart
• 4.2% drop in diastolic blood pressure
• 25.3 inches lost around the waist or 6.9% drop in waist circumference
• 2.8% drop in body fat percentage
• 53.3% increase in flexibility
• 31% increase in sit-ups (core strength)
• 94.4% increase in pushups (muscular strength)
• 70% increase in balance test time
• 100% increase per day in fruit and vegetable intake (double intake from program start)
• 50% increase per week in heart healthy fish intake
• 41.7% increase per week in whole grain intake (less refined starches/grains more whole)
• 41.5% drop in daily sodium intake (average drop of 1493 mg/day)
• 93% drop in calories per week from added sugars
• 58.3% increase in nuts/seeds/legumes intake per week
• 81.8% decrease in processed meat intake per week
• 58.7% drop in saturated fat percentage of total daily calorie intake
• 23.3% increase in American Heart Association My Life Check score

 Individual successes include:

• Highest weight loss for an individual participant 17 lbs
• A 10 point increase in HDL level
• A 201 point drop in triglyceride level
• A 13 point drop in fasting glucose level
• A 6.25 loss of inches around the waist
• An increase in pushups of 13 and an increase in sit-ups of 13
• A participant who increased her weekly exercise minutes by 270
• A participant who increase her daily intake of fruits and vegetables by 4 cups

Thanks to all the participants for their 12-weeks of working hard to improve their health. You've shown us that preventing heart disease and stroke is within our control!

We invite everyone to learn more about preventing women's #1 killer--heart disease, at www.goredforwomen.org .

Thank you & Congratulations

I just want to say thank you to the American Heart Assoc and my employer Stamford Hospital for giving us all this opportunity to be a part of the Fairfield County CT BetterU program.  We graduated today and now it is our time to pay it forward and help others in our family and community to learn to live a healthier life.  Thank you to all that were apart of this journey. Gavin for your words of encouragement and culinary skills in the kitchen.  Ginger for her dedication to us in the gym and to always making me feel good about myself even if I didnt want to be at the gym.  To the staff at the American Heart Assoc. for bringing this great program to our area.  To Kendra Porter and her hair and makeup staff for making us models for a day and teaching us that beauty isnt always a size 2.  To the employees at Stamford Hospital for all you did for us and the encouagement you gave to us.  To anyone else I may have forgotten to thank, please except this as a personal thank you to you because without you all we could not have done it alone. Now to as Maryann calls us the BetterU Babes. I am so blessed to have met you all, learned your stories and I truely hope we can all stay somehow still connected.  Congrats to all, may life give you happy and healthier years to come..

Healthy Lifestyle Changes After 12-Week BetterU Challenge Celebrated

We are so happy to celebrate the women who participated in the AHA’s BetterU challenge! Looking forward to seeing everyone at Stamford Hospital’s Tully Health Center tonight from 3:00-5:00 p.m. For the last 12 weeks, these women have been on a personal journey towards meaningful lifestyle changes to improve their heart health!

The BetterU Makeover Challenge was sponsored by Stamford Hospital, and program’s goal is to remind all women of the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices to prevent heart disease and stroke, the number one and three killers of women, respectively.

“I am extremely pleased at how engaged and motived the women were about learning and participating in subtle changes in their lives,” said Gavin Pritchard, RD, Dietician-Chef, Stamford Hospital. “Each of them found and integrated those components that fit most comfortably with their interests – which helped them positively impact their health scores.”

During the program, each of the participants received a three-month membership to Stamford Hospital’s Health & Fitness Institute, baseline and 12-week medical readings, culinary and nutrition classes, heart health seminars and group workouts. They have been sharing their personal stories on a dedicated program blog and were recognized during the annual Go Red for Women luncheon on May 30 in Greenwich. They also received beauty makeovers from Kendra Porter, Image Consultant, Glo Beauty Bar and Denise Simon Studios.

“Once again, our collaboration with the AHA on the BetterU Challenge helps provide the women in our community with valuable resources and guidance to make informed and heart healthy decisions that positively impact their lives,” said Kathy Silard, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Stamford Hospital. “Heart disease is very much a preventable disease, yet continues to claim the lives of thousands of women each year.”

  

A study by the American Heart Association found that more than 80 percent of cardiac events in women are preventable through simple lifestyle choices involving diet, exercise and smoking.

Looking forward to hearing the results tonight!

Hi Everyone!
      Looking forward to seeing everyone at the unvailing tomorrow.Exciting news-I finally reached the 20 lb.mark!Looking to lose 20 more.I am so grateful that my cholesterol has dropped and my trigliseroids have gone way down.This program really works.Thanks to everyone who helped me achieve all of this!oxox-Margie

Hi everyone!
    
         Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at the unvailing.Exciting news-finally hit the 20 lb.mark!Looking to lose 20 more.I am so grateful that my cholestrol has dropped and my triglycerides are way lower!This program really works.Thanks to everyone whose helped me with this success!oxox-Margie

Thanks, Kendra

I was a bit anxious about the idea of Kendra Porter coming to my house and going through closets, jewelry, etc. but I enjoyed the experience more than I expected.  Kendra is very low key and non judgmental and just works with whatever you have.  I also appreciated her tips on proper fit and what to buy in the future.  Thanks again.

Thank You

Well today I had my final follow up with Gavin and Ginger and I have to say I am very proud of myself.  Some numbers stayed the same, some changed, but to me for the first time in my life those numbers were not a huge concern.  After teen years fighting an eating disorder and as an adult always weighing myself, and always obcessing about weight I have come to learn with this program that its ok to STOP the obcession, excerise doing things that feel good and are interesting to you and to eat healthy and if at times you dont its ok, that is why we are given the gift of a next meal to eat heathier.  In this whole journey Gavin is the person that has turned my life around.  I told him in our first meeting, I am a good starter, but I never finish. Today sitting with him I said to him, I did it, I finished and I am so happy to be able to hit my 50th birthday this week, with a new attitude toward health and nutrtion. I know longer have to obcess. I have a new attitude and I am so appreciative for all I have learned.

Thank you all SO much

for the wonderful dress prize.  I am honored and will wear it proudly.  It helps me in terms of willpower to know I need to show up at next year's American Heart Association Go Red for Women luncheon having maintained a healthy lifestyle. 

For me, the biggest prize is having met my teammates and the professionals at Stamford Hospital and the American Heart Association.  I feel like I learn something every time we are together.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at our unveiling if not before.

June 1-8 is CPR/AED Awareness Week - Learn Hands-Only CPR with One-Minute Video

National CPR Awareness Week is June 1-8 and the American Heart Association wants residents to know the two simple steps of Hands-Only^™ CPR to be prepared when sudden cardiac arrest strikes.

Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps: 1) If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 9-1-1; and 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive.”

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with over 420,000 out-of-hospital cases occurring every year in the United States. When a teen or adult has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Survival rates drop as much as 10 percent for every minute that goes by without intervention.

In an effort to spread this lifesaving message to a younger generation, the AHA and Wellpoint Foundation have teamed up with DJ Earworm to create a mash-up of other well-known songs that have the right rate to guide compressions for Hands-Only CPR, and coincidentally, have a life-saving message.

The Bees Gees’ hit song "Stayin’ Alive" and the songs in Earworm’s new “Hands-Only CPR Mash-Up” have rates of at least 100 beats per minute, the same rate recommended for performing Hands-Only CPR.

Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be equally as effective as CPR with breaths, and people are more likely to feel comfortable performing it. A December 2012 study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation found that Hands-Only CPR performed by bystanders keeps more people alive with good brain function after experiencing a cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, people feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rhythm when trained to the beat of a familiar song.

Eighty percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings. The life you save with CPR will most likely be a loved one. Bystanders can help save a life from cardiac arrest by watching a one-minute video to learn the simple steps of Hands-Only CPR online at www.heart.org/handsonlycpr 

Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps. If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse,

(1) Call 9-1-1; and

(2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive” or any of these lifesaving hits until help arrives!

The American Heart Association is advocating for Hands-Only CPR training in schools through the CPR in Schools legislation. So far, 16 states across the country now require CPR training prior to graduation, ensuring that one million students who graduate annually in these states will be taught CPR. AHA volunteer advocates will visit the New York State capitol on June 3^rd to rally for the legislation. To support the bill, visit www.becprsmart.org.

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and get ready to save a life visit www.heart.org/handsonlycpr or facebook.com/AHACPR.

To learn more about infant and child CPR, please visit www.heart.org/CPR. The American Heart Association sets the standards for CPR training and treating cardiovascular emergencies. We train 12 million people yearly in the U.S. in CPR.

Congratulations Mary Ann!!!

My Dear Mary Ann:
I am so happy and so proud of you!!!   I can't think of anyone who deserves the award more than you.  You have such a great team spirit.  You've really became the glue that has held this group together.
It has been a great experience knowing you and sharing recipes and health information.  You are fun and sweet.  You are a lovely lady!
Best Regards and congratulations again.
Gabriela

Go Red Luncheon

I'd like to extend my gratitude to all the people involved in the great activity and wonderful lunch yesterday at the Hyatt.  As always, the workshops and presentations were full of useful information. I thank all the professionals who so generously have shared their time and knowledge with us.
The entire BetterU Program has been such an education for me and, I feel that  yesterday  was a celebration of that and the accomplishments that we've all achieved.
It was so inspiring to see every all those beautiful ladies dressed in red; it showed all the genuine care and concern for the cause of living a long healthy life.
Thanks again for the great time we had yesterday!!!!

Looking forward

 As we look forward to our future we all will be taking with us different parts of this journey. Some will have learned they love to excerise, others may have found the joy of cooking. But no matter what big or small we all will walk away with some kind of positive experience. I know for myself that I learned to love myself just the way I am and to give myself credit for all the littlest things I do for myself and my health. Little things turn into big things. I always believe in paying it forward. I just graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC and with what I learned there and here my future is to pay it forward and educate women on how to live healthy and lovethemselves. See you all tomorrow  

Big Week in Better U Land

Sorry I missed the cardio talk tonight but I had theater tickets I couldn't change.  Weds. at 5:30 we have the Shop Rite tour, which should be interesting and informative and Fri. starting at 9:30am we have the Go Red Luncheon.  Really looking forward to those events and seeing as much of the team as possible.  I love this program.

Wear Red Proudly

Hey ladies I hope all are as excited as I am for us to be attending the Go Red For Women Luncheon. That day we all wear our red outfits proudly knowing we learn a lot of great information to live our life forward and pass on to others.  Thank you to everyone that has helped us on this journey. 

Feeling GOOD

Hi Everyone!
      I am so glad to be feeling better.I actually attened my regular class today,plus two more!It was my first time in the pool!It was such fun and very therapeutic.I feel much stronger and happier since joining this program.Everyone involved has been so  friendly and helpful. 
      Melanie and I would like to especially thank Lisa our fabulous trainer and Gavin our wonderful nutritionist/chef For all their encouragement and guidance.
      Keep up the good work!We are all here to support each other.
                                           OXOXOX

Summertime Snacks

Thanks to Gavin Pritchard, RD, Dietician-Chef with Stamford Hospital's Population Health and Prevention program for providing a cooking demo for the BetterU participants. 

Gavin focused on healthy summertime snacks including a strawberry salsa, white bean and roasted garlic dip, and fresh vegetable spring rolls. 

Summer is a great time to enjoy nature's bounty and get to the 5-8 servings of fruits & veggies daily. Eating more fruits & vegetables provides more nutrients and they are lower in calories than snacks including refined sugar & carbs--great if you're trying to get into your healthy weight range.

More healthy eating tips:

·         Eat the rainbow! Go green and red, orange, yellow, purple and more.  Serve green leafy salads or fruit salads (or a combination of both, like baby spinach with strawberries or mixed greens with orange slices) instead of mayonnaise-based salads.

·         Add avocado or leftover chicken as an accessory – not the star – of your healthy salad.

·         Dress salads lightly with low-fat dressing or just a drizzle of balsamic, fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil

·         Add some crunch – and healthier fats – with some toasted walnuts or almonds.

Keep snacks, drinks and desserts healthy:

·         Need crunchy foods? Instead of potato chips, which can be high in saturated and trans fats, serve vitamin-rich raw veggies like cucumber, carrot, pepper and celery sticks; broccoli and cauliflower florets and cherry tomatoes with a low-fat dip.

·         Drink more water. Soda, energy drinks and flavored-teas are loaded with sugars and calories.

·         When drinking juice, have a small (6-ounce) glass of 100% unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice (low sodium) – not “fruit drink” or “punch."

Find more tips at www.heart.org/nutrition .

Spanish-style potato tortilla (The Go Red Women Cookbook, page 233). Total Success!!!!

Dear Friends,
I invite you to try this incredibly easy to make and delicious dish! It is so tasty. I made yesterday for the first time and I served it with chicken tenders (marinated from the night before in a mix of  a tablespoon of canola oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, oregano and dill) and Greek salad with reduced fat Feta cheese.
It was a total success and the biggest bonus was that it was so easy to make. The next time I do this tortilla I'll add the roasted garlic with rosemary that Gavin showed us last night at the cooking demonstration and asparagus.
Enjoy!!!

Gabriela

Steak Tampiquena and Fiesta Veggies

2 more fun recipes from the American Heart Association Cookbook (pp. 134 and 221).  The steak has a very nice flavor without a ton of work.  The veggies require a bit more prep but are tasty and a combo I wouldn't have thought of myself - onions, green beans, yellow squash, corn, cilantro and serrano chili pepper.  The whole meal was filling and less than 300 calories total.  Good deal.

Down 10 pounds in 8 weeks!

Very happy about this, especially since there was a week of vacation in there, which included some rum drinks and other indulgences.  Many thanks to my trainer Lisa, our beloved Gavin, the American Heart Association and all my Better U teammates for so much great advice and encouragement.  I am not really exercising more but Lisa has shown me how to be more efficient with my time and Gavin has taught me how to eat better without feeling hungry.  I love, love, love this program and feel that it's becoming a real life changer for me.  Hugs to you all, Mary Ann

"You Go Ladies" pics