My sister, Jennifer, has a very big heart both figuratively and literally. The girl will go above and beyond-beyond for just about anyone. She also has (to put it simply) an enlarged heart, a condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
You’d never know Jennifer has HCM because it doesn’t slow her down, she’s as normal as you and me, but she has to stay on top of her health with meds and frequent visits to the cardiologist for the rest of her life.
Jennifer was born with this heart condition, but for most of us heart disease is preventable through diet, exercise, heart check ups, and lipo-protein blood screening.
When the American Heart Association (AHA) and fitlosophy, the company behind fitbook, asked me to participate in the BLOG YOUR HEART OUT campaign over the next 12 weeks, I jumped at the opportunity to SPEAK UP for heart disease.
Over the next 12 weeks I’ll be following the AHA’s BetterU program, a free online 12-week nutrition & fitness makeover. I’ll be blogging about this program about once a week and tracking my progress in my fitbook each day.
Why am I so passionate about being part of the Blog Your Heart Out team?
- Heart disease kills about 1 woman every minute, or approximately 450,000 women each year
- More women die of heart disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer
- 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease
- 80% of cardiac events in women may be prevented by making the right choices involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking
How can you get involved?
- Celebrate National Wear Red Day by wearing (you guessed it) red today!
- Join the Go Red For Women movement and become part of the fight against heart disease
- Grab a fitbook, and join me for the free 12-week BetterU program
- Follow me and the Blog Your Heart Out team for the next 12 weeks
- If you blog, join us February 12, 2010 to SPEAK UP for heart disease on Blog Your Heart Out Day
My next 12 weeks will be dedicated to my sister and to all women and men who help fight heart disease one day at a time.
Now I really must go eat a heart-healthy breakfast, hit the gym, and, well…GO RED!
FatFighterTV says:
February 5th 2010I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful cause. Go Red!
Jessica@HowSweet says:
February 5th 2010I will be wearing red! And definitely blogging my heart out. :)
Jamie says:
February 5th 2010I just went over my training book for CPR and AED in honor of this blog. I was the perfect candidate for a heart attack about 2 years ago, Family history of heart disease and diabetis. I could do nothing to change the family history, but I can take better care of myself and make some heart healthy choices for myself! proper diet and exercise and lost 50 lbs last year <3 some of what I am doing has rubbed off on my kids and hopefully breaking the cycle of obesity in my family!
The Candid RD says:
February 5th 2010Joanna this is fantastic. You are such a good person. I saw the site and that’s just so cool tat you got involved in something so incredible! I didn’t know about your sister’s condition, but I have heard of it before. She’s lucky to have a sister like you, who can show such dedicated support. Obviously you’re lucky to have her too. I keep reading posts about sisters and it’s making me sad that I don’t have one! You’re truly lucky, and special.
I will be following!
Estela - Weekly Bite says:
February 5th 2010I already have my red on!!! :)
Donna Bush says:
February 5th 2010I’ll be doing my part, blogging my heart out, and wearing red today. Thanks Joanna, for always taking the lead on such exciting and inspirational projects.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
February 5th 2010Wow– what an inspirational post!!! I’ll definitely be “going red” :-)
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says:
February 5th 2010Thanks for sharing that information! I’m going to big GoRed event today-so excited!
Andrea@WellnessNotes says:
February 5th 2010So great that you are doing this! I’m wearing red today, and I will definitely follow you along.
Trainerpack says:
February 5th 2010Those are some scary facts!
Rachel says:
February 5th 2010Love this, Joanna! And I heart Jennifer Sutter!!
carrie says:
February 5th 2010sobering statistics. thank you for raising my awareness.
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
February 5th 2010This is so important. Thanks for the stats. By the way, I’ve noticed your blog is wearing red as always. Can we say it’s for Wear Red Day? :)
Go Red for Women | American Heart Association says:
February 5th 2010[...] at Fitness and Spice Carla at MizFitOnline Dinneen at [...]
Mom says:
February 5th 2010Bless your Hearts!!!
Amanda Thebe says:
February 5th 2010thanks for the awesome reminder about this. I will share the love over the border here in Canada. Not sure the Canadian Heart Association are doing something similar but will check it out, but love the idea of the 12 week awareness program.
Jodi Jones (jodiojo) says:
February 5th 2010My post is up, girl and I’m ready to go! Woop woop! So glad to be doing this with you!! :o)
Naomi(onefitfoodie) says:
February 5th 2010I wore red today :)
angela says:
February 5th 2010go miss joanna – you rock that fitbook and your sexy red…all for a good cause! you are an inspiration and a powerhouse behind making this campaign happen!
ang
Lance says:
February 5th 2010Joanna, YOU are awesome!! What a great cause to support, and to do it so actively over the next 12 weeks – very, very cool. And to Jennifer…hey there friend. I’m thinking of you….
bobbie says:
February 5th 2010Joanna, I”ve got my red blouse on..
bobbie says:
February 5th 2010Beautiful tribute to Jennifer.
Jess (Fit Chick in the City) says:
February 5th 2010What a great campaign! I’m looking forward to following your 12 weeks of blog your heart out.
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
February 5th 2010Joanna, how wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your sis is one special person! I joined the movement & can’t wait to follow your progress!
Jennifer says:
February 5th 2010My heart is BIG because I have so much love for my dear friends, my awesome family and my sister and best friend, Joanna!! What is better than being happy, healthy and loved? Show off your BIG heart!!! xoxoxoxoxo.
uberVU - social comments says:
February 5th 2010Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by CandidRD: Join the fight against heart disease; and blog your heart out! http://www.fitnessandspice.com/2010/02/3453/...
Lani says:
February 5th 2010I just read your blog – awesome – Interesting to find out about your sister. I like that you dedicated the 12 wks to her.
Olivia says:
February 6th 2010I agree that Jennifer has a big heart. She is one of the most amazing women I have gotten to meet and she has helped me through many difficult times in my life just by simply being there and giving me positive advice to get through it. You and Jennifer never cease to amaze me and you are both very inspiring. I will definitely be joining this cause. I heart you both!
Diane Fit to the Finish says:
February 6th 2010I wore red yesterday! Thanks for sharing about your sister. By the way – I’m linking to you on Monday.
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