Occupation: Graduate student
Vernita's goals include: Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, eating low cholesterol foods and exercising 3-4 times a week.
Height: 64 inches
|
As of February 2007 |
As of May 2007 |
|
|
Weight: |
250 pounds |
226.2 pounds |
|
Body Mass Index: |
42 |
37.9 |
|
METS: |
6.2 |
7.6 |
|
Average Daily Steps: |
4,255 |
14,006 |
“I lowered my total cholesterol from 324 to 228. Find out how!”
L to R: Cousin Marilyn, Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair; Cousin James Chairperson, DFST Family Reunion; and me, Asst. Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair.
Choose To Mover Kathleen volunteered at the American Heart Association Booth. Kathleen shared information on the Choose To Move Program, Power To End Stroke, Go Red For Women, and Advocacy Plus-You're The Cure.
The Demery-Farley-Syas-Taylor (DFST) Family Reunion Health & Wellness Fair was held in Houston, Texas, at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel on Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10am-4pm. Los Angeles DFST Cousins will host the next reunion in 2010.
The following screenings were available at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair:
* Blood Pressure
* Body Mass Index (BMI)
* Blood Glucose/Blood Sugar
* Blood Cholesterol
* Vision
* Foot
Approximately 1 out of every 3 health & wellness fair participants received ALL of the screenings offered at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair.
DFST Health & Wellness Fair Sponsors and Volunteers were:
LifeScan, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Co.–AALC Group
American Heart Association
John B. Coleman Health Sciences College – Nursing Program
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Louisiana Public Health Institute – Steps Program
CVS Pharmacy – Pharmacy Intern Program
Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Society
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products
Prairie View A&M – Nursing Program
American Diabetes Association
Prevent Blindness of America
United Supermarkets.
...like the summer do?
On July 6th, I celebrated my 40th birthday--yeah, I'm 20 again. Or is it 30?
I have been working in New Orleans this summer and have been very sporadic with consistent exercise and heart-health eating. New Orleans is still recovering from the vices of the hurricanes and the levee; however, progress is being made. And the food...the food is still unbelievably the BEST! It's a challenge that I welcome, though. I can put the tools that I have gained since I began Choose To Move to the test...and even with my not-so-routine exercise schedule, I have still been able to maintain.
The picture below was taken on my birthday at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association booth at the Essence Festival.
From L to R: Rosda, Echelle, me, and Mia.
Today I am headed to the Demery-Farley-Syas-Taylor (DFST) Family Reunion in Houston, Texas. Tomorrow I will be assisting Cousin Marilyn with coordinating the DFST Health & Wellness Fair and Choose To Mover Kathleen will also be on hand to help with the fair. Family members will have the opportunity to get their blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol checked. I hope to squeeze in some time and take advantage of the health screenings and educational health information being provided.
I have met many people who are afraid of getting screened. I think of screenings as paying my electric bill before the electricity gets cut off!
You can download a Free Family Reunion Toolkit from the American Heart Association website.
I visited my Cousins Kenneth and Joyce in Albany, NY for a couple of days while enroute to New York City. Cousin Joyce picked me up from the train station and we went straight to her jazzercise class. Cousin Joyce, who will be 60 this year, is wearing the blue warm-up pants.
It finally happened…I hit the Relapse Stage. In other words, I traded my sports car in for a stage coach, and oh what a ride…
The year has certainly flown by.
I "celebrated" our one year anniversary on Friday, February 29, at the Go Red For Women Luncheon in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
l to r, Sophie Pachella, Dr. Jennifer Mieres, and me.
During a pre-session educational workshop sponsored by Merck entitled, "Get Your Engine Going--Choose to Move", Dr. Jennifer Mieres, co-author of Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas, presented a historical overview on the impact of the Go Red For Women campaign, Sophie Pachella, founder of EatStrong, offered nutritional advice on foods that compliment the body, and I shared my Choose To Move journey.
At the luncheon, Yvette Fields, a heart disease survivor, told "her story" about suffering from a stroke at the early age of 42 in addition to being diagnosed with diabetes at 21.
The National Sponsors of the event were Merck and Macy's and the Local Sponsor was NYU Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
More pics follow...
Jennifer is the AHA Marketing Director in Cedar Rapids and Lyn is an AHA Volunteer. 
One of the events planned by the American Heart Association (Cedar Rapids, IA Branch) in celebration of Heart Month was the Go Red For Women - Heart Health Day which was held on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The events for the day included free health screenings, heart-health informational booths, free CPR Anytime Training Sessions provided by CR Heart, Go Red For Women registration, and Go Red Survivor Fashion Show.
In the picture on the left I am administering CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to my inflatable CPR manikin, “Mini Anne.” Each participant received a free Family & Friends CPR Anytime Kit. The CPR Anytime Training Sessions were provided by CR Heart.
Click here to find Heart Month and Go Red For Women events in your area.
~ Vernita
Negative seven degrees (-7)...this morning’s temperature when I went to the gym.
My original plan was to workout at home but I needed a serious “pick me up” to get me back on track. You see, I just returned from my 4 week fall semester break visiting my family and friends in Louisiana. This blog is appropriately named “Sliding Scale” because my weight “shifted” from...
Enjoy your family and friends and stay motivated to EXERCISE a heart-healthy lifestyle.
I'm in Natchitoches, Louisiana, visiting my parents and what to my wondering eyes did appear upon my arrival but a basket full of fruit -n- nuts, and a scattering of peppermints.
I pray that you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and Healthy New Year!
~Vernita
Pictured left to right are: Health Iowa employees, Kathy and Amy, and the DDC Walking Team (Marsha, Margaret, Tina, and Vernita). Monique, DDC satellite team member, is not pictured. 
On Monday, December 3, 2007, the DDC Walking Team met with Amy, ACSM-certified Fitness Specialist, and Kathy, Registered and Licensed Dietitian. In the workshop Amy and Kathy discussed the benefits of sustaining a physical activity program and maintaining healthy eating habits.
The information that we "walked" away with was so invaluable that the DDC Walking Team collectively put together the following list of tips that we found to be most helpful in hopes that you will also experience positive benefits:
There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
from "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke
Time and patience ...patience and time…by putting into practice discipline, perseverance, consistency, and a positive attitude, a change will eventually come.
One of my personal goals has finally been realized. For over fifteen years I have wanted to get certified to teach a water-focused exercise class and on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, I successfully completed the requirements for obtaining my certification as an Aquatics Leader through the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP).
I am slowly checking off those written goals that I set for myself back in 1990.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE!
Me and Carol, my AFAP mentor.
(This picture was taken following the last required class I had to teach to obtain AFAP Certification.)
THEN (Feb/March 2007) & NOW (November 9, 2007)
As the time for holiday feasts quickly approaches, we all need to PLAN & PRIORITIZE our strategy. Let's try incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise into our schedule most days of the week. NO EXCUSES, Please (remember, you're preaching to the choir here...been there-done that-and still doing it at times...so NO EXCUSES). Choose To Move For You!
~Vernita
Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
My total chol. is 184
HDL is 46
LDL is 106
Trig. is 184
I have been on a low fat, low carb diet since Sept (NutriSystem). Should I be concerm about my Trig?
Comment by on February 12, 2008 2:54 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PM