The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Team
Front Row L to R: Kim, Lynn, Joyce, and Team Captain Rhonda.
Back Row L to R: Asst. Team Captain Pearlie, Vernita, and Anna.
The Linn County Heart Walk was held today at Kirkwood Community College. Walking is one form of exercise that helps fight heart disease.
Each team member walked on behalf of heart disease survivors and/or deceased loved ones.
Prior to the heart walk I visited some of the screening booths and found out that my BMI was 36.3 - still dangerously high yet steadily decreasing, and I am now down 35 pounds since I began Choose To Move.
Incorporating a heart healthy lifestyle is a day-by-day process, a mind game at times. You have to constantly "communicate" with yourself and reiterate the benefits of exercise and heart healthy eating for a LIFETIME.
August marks the fifth month that Kara, Kathleen, Lisa, Melanie, Ruann, Zulema and I have embraced "Bringing Healthy Back" into our lives. We are in it to win it....JOIN US!
~Vernita
P.S.
Type in your zip code and find opportunities to get involved with the Heart Walk in your area.
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
Comments
Aug 12 | kara said …
Vernita - you are doing AWESOME! Thank you for walking from myself and all other survivors! I am so proud of you! -Kara
Aug 12 | said …
Thanks, Kara.
You experienced open heart surgery first hand and now are relaying your powerful message of hope and opportunity to others.
We are motivated by the fact that survivors like you continue to live "normal" fulfilling lives while making heart healthy decisions.
~Vernita
Aug 13 | Kim Smith-Taylor said …
Vernita,
Thanks for the picture of our group. I have been walking and biking for quite a while, but got really serious when my blood pressure started rising. Unfortunately it runs in my family, my brother has been on medication for about 10 years and both parents are on medication. My father has had a triple by-pass and his mother died from a stroke. I am trying to delay or prevent taking any medication, so I am trying to make positive changes.
Thanks again, Kim
Aug 13 | Vernita said …
Hello Kim,
Knowing your family health history is truly a blessing. Congratulations on pro actively taking control of your health by incorporating exercise!
Let's plan on taking a walk on one of the walking trails sometime before the Iowa weather turns.
~Vernita
Aug 14 | Linda said …
Hi Vernita,
Congratulations as you have made wonderful strides toward becoming healthier. The weight loss is wonderful, but even better are the health benefits. You are certainly inspiring others around you!! Continue to be blessed!!
Aug 14 | Vernita said …
Thank you, Linda, for acknowledging the real focus for Choose To Move...for health's sake.
AHA's Go Red For Women Campaign, http://www.goredforwomen.org/know_your_numbers/index.html, tells us that the first step to heart health is to know and understand the numbers that matter most, i.e. Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Blood Pressure, Fasting Glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, and Exercise Time.
Your encouraging words are truly heartfelt.
~Vernita
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