Go Red

On Thursday, I was lucky enough to be invited by a co-worker to Boise's Go Red for Women Luncheon. Every year, American Heart Association branches in cities across the country throw these events to bring women together and educate them about heart disease. I will be the first to admit that I had no idea that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and even when learning that fact, I didn't believe that it could affect me or women around me. It still shocks me to think - heart disease will take the lives of more women than all types of cancer combined, 1 in 3 to be exact. I'm fortunate to be from a place full of healthy people who choose a life of exercise, eating right, and not smoking, but that doesn't mean that this won't have an impact on me and the people I love. We heard from brave women who had faced stroke or heart attack at a young, seemingly healthy age and were strong enough to fight through it and lucky enough to have great healthcare. We were quizzed on our health and heart knowledge by keynote speaker, Beth Malasky, a cardiologist at Boise's St. Alphonsus's Hospital. We learned a Zumba routine and heard about the trials of Moses Kinikini, an Idaho resident who appeared on The Biggest Loser with his daughter and struggled to go from a future of obesity to a healthier weight and longer life. I felt very empowered sitting in that room filled with women who had taken the first step to living healthy - choosing to learn something about how to take care of themselves. I hope that everyone reading this post, male or female, can turn to the women in his or her life and tell them a little something about heart disease and how imperative it is for us to be educated and live heart healthy. And to all the close friends and family reading this, it should be known that I wore a fire engine red top to this event and I think it's my new favorite color. See? Going Red really is for everyone.

Do These Four Things Today:

• Stop smoking! I know it's not easy, but enough said. Stop smoking today and your body will start to rebuild itself and show signs of a healthier heart in two weeks.
• Go to the doctor! Everyone should know their vital signs, know what's healthy and what could use some work. 
• Nourish your body! Eating heart-healthy foods - lots of fruits, veggies, fiber-rich whole grains, lean protein and low fat dairy - in the right proportions is easy, delicious, and can change your life.
• Shake that booty! Getting between 10 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity and 20 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day is all it takes. Another way to look at it? Three 50-minute Zumba classes a week. You'll sweat and learn how to move and groove.