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19,406 people and 1,263 teams participated in the 2008 WOMAN Challenge!
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Here is what others have said about the
WOMAN Challenge!
"I am 56 and have been working on becoming more healthy and fit for over a year now. I've lost 65 pounds and kept it off but still have 20 pounds to go. I came across this challenge when I was at a point of giving up. I had hit a plateau and was becoming discouraged. However, I am now pumped and ready to go. Good luck to all." |
2008 Team Showcase
Team Name:
New Directions
Number of Team Members:
1
Team Member Location:
Minnesota
"I decided to form a team because I find that I do better when I am accountable to others for my progress - and I'm a little competitive. I hope to inspire others to join my team and take our lives in 'new directions' by increasing our physical activity and benefiting by improving our health, energy levels and reducing the effects of stress in our lives! Let's get ready to move forward!"
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Weekly Emails & Health Tips
Home > Weekly Emails & Health Tips > May 13, 2008
A Healthy Heart
The WOMAN Challenge Newsletter
May 13, 2008
You've heard it before and we'll tell you again heart health is VERY important!
Heart disease remains the #1 killer of women. More than 10% of American women are currently living with this disease and millions more are at risk. The good news? Research shows that women can lower their heart disease risk by as much as 82 percent simply by leading a healthy lifestyle! Love your heart!
In this issue...
WOMAN Challenge Tip
Can I include activities other than walking in my tracking log?
- Yes! If you are tracking your activity in minutes, keep track of the minutes you spend on all types of physical activity each day. If you are tracking in steps (using a pedometer) and doing swimming, biking, gardening, or any other physical activity try out our new handy activity conversion calculator to calculate the equivalent number of steps and record that amount (these step conversions were calculated based on research and averaging). Remember not to wear your pedometer in the water!
Your Heart Health: 18 and Older
Achieving a healthy heart is one of the leading reasons for being active and can be done without running a marathon. Keep your heart pumping strong for a long time by starting these things today...
Things to do that are good for your heart!
- Increase your physical activity!
Way to go! By joining the WOMAN Challenge you are on your way to a more active life.
- Make healthy food choices.
Make sure to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and (whole) grains.
- Reduce your sodium intake.
Be spicy instead! Flavor your foods with herbs and spices rather than salt.
- Kick the habit and stop smoking.
If you quit smoking right now within 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop! Learn More
- Limit alcohol consumption
For women, that means 1 drink a day. What counts as a drink?
- Find healthy ways to reduce stress.
Take time for yourself. Find what helps you relieve stress and be sure to take a few minutes to relax everyday.
- Know your blood pressure and their meaning for your heart health.
Go to February, American Heart Month, in your WOMAN Challenge tracking log to learn more about blood pressure.
- Know your cholesterol levels and their meaning for your heart hearth.
Did you know? All women age 20 and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every 5 years. Go to September in your WOMAN Challenge tracking log to learn more about cholesterol.
Be prepared!
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Heart attacks are more likely to occur after menopause (usually, after about age 50). Know the signs! While women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
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Asking your doctor the right questions can give you vital information about your heart health and what you can do to improve it. Here's a list of questions you may want to bring to your doctor's office. View the list online (PDF, 31 Kb).
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Learn more about tests that can protect your heart health, including a Cholesterol Test (Lipoprotein test), Blood Pressure Test, Fasting Plasma Glucose Test, or Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference Tests. Visit page 18 of The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women for more information. View the handbook online (PDF, 2.5 Mb).
Heart Health Resources
Your Heart Health: 17 and Younger
Did you know your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body?! It beats an average of 100,000 times a day and pumps the equivalent of 2,000 gallons of blood each day! Your heart is working hard for you so make sure you work hard for it - Love Your Heart - its health is VERY important!
You can keep your heart healthy by exercising and eating right — it's never too early to start heart healthy habits. Your heart loves to swim, walk, rollerblade, bike — you name it! Keep your heart pumping strong with these fun (and tasty) ideas...
Things to do that are good for your heart!
- Walk, run, bike, wheel, skate...move!
- Eat your veggies (and fruit and whole grains)
- Eat less salt (sodium)
- Say NO to tobacco smoke
- Get a good night's sleep
Heart Health Resources
Content last updated May 13, 2008.
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