Back in August, we introduced you to the determined group of women who would carry on the torch for the Parkview Heart Institute’s Her Heart Challenge program. Each participant had a different story, a different motivation and different goals, but, as we discovered, they shared a fierce ambition for change.
“These ladies went above and beyond our expectations!” Sarah Mohrman, RDN, CD, MA, program coordinator, Parkview Heart Institute, said. “As a facilitator of this program, our dream is that we find a group of women who can connect and engage with each other. This class did not disappoint. They lifted each other up through good times and bad and still continue to do so. Their personal mantras are a true testimony of their spirit that carries them through every day.”
Each participant came to the challenge with different risk factors, some with multiple issues. After their final weigh ins and set of screenings, the women had proof of their efforts. As a group, the final tallies revealed:
- 270+ pounds lost
- An average of 7 pounds lost
- 14/18 of those with an A1C >6 showed improvement
“While these numbers are important,” Jill Zahm, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, program coordinator, Parkview Heart Institute, said, “it’s learning that you deserve self-care and the lifestyle change that occurs. This is the true difference; the numbers are the trickle down result of that change.”
When we’re talking about numbers, the most important ones to know are these: 1 in 3 women die of heart disease every year, but it’s 80 percent preventable. There is no other magic number. It’s not just your weight, cholesterol, glucose or A1C. Prevention is about managing a healthy lifestyle overall.
Are you ready for the challenge? Get an application for the 2018 Her Heart Challenge today.
