Friday, June 22, 2012

Starting the BetterU Challenge

Today 11 women are joining the American Heart Association and St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center on a journey to better heart health. These 11 women will take part in the Go Red BetterU Challenge. BetterU is a free 12-week online nutrition and fitness program that gives women a heart healthy makeover from the inside out.

The women involved in this program will have access to special incentives and support, including a medical evaluation, nutrition counseling, and a free 12-week membership to Gold’s Gym.

As they get started on the program, meet the dynamic women taking the BetterU Challenge:

Jacklin Anderson:
At 25 years old, our first challenger already knows she needs to make a change in her life. This year, Jacklin Anderson, of North Syracuse, found out she has high cholesterol.  Now she’s looking to bring that number down, learn healthy habits, and gain more energy.

Roseann Gardinier:
Our next challenger says she doesn’t want her first symptom to be death. 46-year-old Roseann Gardinier, of Munnsville, is looking to make some life changes. With a family history of health problems, she says doesn’t want to become a statistic. Her main goal is to prevent a heart attack, but she also wants to set a good example for other women, as well as the students she serves as a school nurse.

Laura Gray:
As Laura Gray knows well, quitting smoking can be an overwhelming task. But, the 46-year-old from Weedsport says she’s ready to do it. Gray says she wants to ditch the cigarettes, lose weight, and learn to eat right and exercise on her path to a healthier heart. 

Anna Jorgensen:
When Anna Jorgensen found out her mother has heart disease, she realized she couldn’t put off getting healthy. Now Anna, a 46-year-old woman from Jamesville, says she wants to lose weight, learn how to be healthy, and educate others.

Tonia Moore:
As a wife, mother, and grandmother in Syracuse, 42-year-old Tonia Moore knows she needs to help her family. She has a family history of heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Now she wants to get those problems under control so she can live longer for her family, make better food choices for them, and help her overweight children.

Barbara Muller:
While caring for her husband during his illness, Barbara Muller knew she was neglecting her own health. Now it’s time for this 78-year-old from Liverpool to get back on track and put her health first. Barbara says she wants to get on a regular regimen, and increase both her strength and endurance.

Sonal Patel:
Sonal Patel says she has always struggled with her weight, but she wants to make a change. 33-year-old Sonal, of Syracuse, wants to make sure her weight isn’t affecting the rest of her goals by getting healthier, increasing her energy and her overall toning.

Tecora Pertilla:
With congenital heart failure at the age of 23 and a history of hypertension and obesity, 35-year-old Tecora Pertilla, of Fayetteville, says she is ready to get healthy but needs support in her journey.  This mother wants to be a role model for her two daughters, live longer for them, and find herself.


Elizabeth Savicki:
Elizabeth Savicki knows she is overweight and suffers from high blood pressure. She says she needs to take steps NOW to gain a better quality of life and live to see her daughter achieve her dreams. This 37-year-old from Cicero wants to lower her blood pressure, increase her energy, and gain self-confidence.

Suzanne Viola:
Suzanne Viola knows what heart disease can do to a family. Her mother suffered a heart attack. Suzanne says she doesn’t want to put her children through that pain, and is taking steps to make a change.  Suzanne is 44-years-old and is from Syracuse. She wants to lose weight, learn to eat better, and create better exercise habits.

Glorious Wallace:
Two years ago, 60-year-old Glorious Wallace was diagnosed with heart disease. Now this East Syracuse woman says she is ready to commit to the work and dedication required to get a healthier functioning heart, along with a new perspective on lifestyle and the ability to encourage others with her own success.

Throughout the program, these women will be updating on us what they’re doing and how it’s impacting their lives. Be sure to check back here over the next 12-weeks to follow along with our BetterU Challengers!

If you want to be a part of the BetterU program, click here to get started yourself!

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