Hudson Valley

Shoppers can support the life-saving work of the American Heart Association Walgreens is once again proud to support the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, through Life Is Why™, a cause marketing campaign benefitting the American Heart Association. Life Is Why inspires […]

A program giving New Yorkers a chance to help control a silent killer is back.  The American Heart Association is now recruiting participants for the Check It! Challenge. The challenge is a community-wide program encouraging people to check, change, and control their blood pressure. The program began in Central New York and the Southern Tier and has […]

Summer can bring many happy memories – family vacations, summer camp, days at the shore, staying up late and watching the sun set. No matter what your summer traditions include, be sure to keep in mind your heart and brain health throughout the longer daylight hours. According to the American Heart Association heart disease and stroke remain the No. 1 […]

Shoppers can support the life-saving work of the American Heart Association Walgreens is proud to support the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, through Life Is Why™, a cause marketing campaign benefitting the American Heart Association. Life Is Why inspires consumers to […]

Almost at the halfway mark, the American Heart Association’s free blood pressure awareness program, the Check It! Challenge, has a reach of 315,000 people. Participants are checking their blood pressure twice monthly and taking advantage of American Heart Association resources provided to them. Each month during the four-month program that began in […]

After nearly two years away from in person events, today the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the 2022 Westchester Go Red for Women® movement will transform its famous luncheon into an evening experience. This signature event will take place Thursday, March 24 at […]

The American Heart Association has new tools to help improve blood pressure rates in New York State, thanks to a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.  The two-year grant of $1 million will allow the American Heart Association to expand its focus on improving high blood pressure rates in under-resourced communities. Through the “Lower the […]

An important fact we all need to understand is cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year claiming more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. That’s approximately one woman every minute! The American Heart Association in New York City, Westchester and Long Island is proud to announce an expanded […]

More than 100 clinicians, primary care providers and population health representatives gathered virtually to help make New York State a healthier place at the Regional Hypertension Summit hosted by the American Heart Association. Hypertension is often called the silent killer, and it is the most important modifiable risk factor for heart disease. […]

The American Heart Association is working to improve hypertension across New York State with a brand new event. The virtual Regional Hypertension Summit will bring together health care organizations, medical practices, and health-focused organizations from across New York State to collectively address blood pressure control and recognize Target: BP™ […]

The American Heart Association of Westchester County along with White Plains Hospital present a video series in honor of World Heart Day 2021. During this five-part series, leaders from across Westchester will host heart to heart conversations with their daughters about important health topics. Physical Activity by Dr. James Peacock Stress and […]

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the top awardees of its first-ever EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based hosted by the Eastern States region. The first-place grant of $50,000 was awarded to Pastor Cynthia Wallace of Bible Center Church in the […]

The American Heart Association,  the nation’s leading nonprofit in heart health, is proud to announce a return to one of the most popular events in the city, the 2021 NYC Marathon. Back in person after the pandemic, the five-borough race is back on the calendar.  Runners and those willing to challenge themselves are invited to apply. The 2021 TCS […]

Over $105,000 in Grants Will be Awarded to Local Community Leaders Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance […]

Women have a lot on their plates, and sometimes important self-care can take a back seat to work, family and other obligations. In fact, nearly 50% of adult women have high blood pressure, and nearly three-quarters of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can significantly increase a woman’s risk […]

The power of partnerships built on trust, dignity and respect was a key theme during March 17th’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Zoom webinar, hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA), Eastern States region. “When you see value in people, it affirms that value that is in you,” said Dr. Abraham […]

Welcome the American Heart Association’s Westchester County Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Community Forum. We would like to give a special thank you to our panelists, Sharon D’Errico from Sun River Health and Elena Tateo from Westchester County Department of Health. We created this companion […]

Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. That is why the American Heart Association’s Eastern […]

Welcome the American Heart Association’s Westchester County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Community Forum. Thank you for joining us for this important discussion about food assistance programs available in our area. We would like to give a special thank you to our panelists, Anne Daddona from Westchester County […]

The challenges facing our world are many – from timely concerns such as the coronavirus pandemic and the renewed emphasis it has placed on the need to dismantle structural racism to the ongoing challenges of treating and beating the top two killers around the globe: heart disease and stroke. As president of the American Heart Association, Dr. Mitch […]

With the summer heat upon us, be sure to protect your heart in the heat. It’s important to know that extreme heat can be hard on the heart. As the temperature rises, so can your risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors recommend using good judgment when it comes to activities outside in the heat, and that you stay […]

Long before the pandemic, systemic challenges have contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, as well as immigration status, occupation, and language preference, […]

On May 15, the Eastern States Community Impact team launched the first webinar of a series designed to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in communities of color. The webinar was offered to health equity leaders nationwide and was attended by approximately 1,035 participants. During the webinar, implications of COVID-19 from the perspective of economics, […]

Long before the coronavirus impacted how we live, work, and play, systemic challenges contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, have been mostly responsible for […]

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, will host its first-ever CycleNation in Westchester on Friday, May 1, 2020 at Yonkers Brewing Company, 92 Main Street, Yonkers. Yafell Serulle, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Neuroendovascular Surgery at Phelps Hospital Northwell Health and a member of the Department of Neurology […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) announced today that Maureen Adams, RN, MBA, Chief Clinical Officer of Westmed Medical Group, will serve as chair of the 2020 Westchester Go Red for Women movement. As Chair of the Go Red for Women movement in Westchester, Ms. Adams will work to raise funds and spread awareness of heart disease while championing the […]

More than 300 people came together at Poughkeepsie’s Grandview on Friday, November 8th to be relentless in support of women’s health. The event — which was chaired by Denise Doring VanBuren of Central Hudson Gas & Electric — included a keynote speech by Mara Schiavocampo of the Dr. Oz show, wellness showcase, a talk about […]

Jennifer Langley is a participant in our Hudson Valley BetterU challenge and shares her journey: I have been aware of the Better U program for a few years and have marveled at the women in each class – their determination and inspiration are enviable. Being part of the 2019 class has been a true pleasure. I am enjoying getting to know the […]

Brooke O’Connell, Hudson Valley, NY BetterU participant, shares the ways in which making small changes proved more sustainable for her in her journey toward better health.  I’m so thankful for the Better U Program.  When I started this program, I had the hopes and dreams of losing a large sum of weight in a short amount of time and changing my […]

Tuesday, October 29 was World Stroke Day, and the American Heart Association teamed up with Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets to raise awareness about the warning signs of stroke and provide hands-on education and health screenings. People learned how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. “It’s really an honor to […]

Unbearable, is how Mara Schiavocampo described the early days of reducing the processed food she was eating. Today, she celebrates the 90 pounds she lost and the healthy way she feels, eating only whole foods. “I had been overweight, but not unhappily,” the special correspondent to the Dr. Oz Show & author said. “But after my daughter was born […]

We are thrilled to introduce the 2019 EmPOWERED to Serve National Business Accelerator grant recipients!  The October 17th event was hosted in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The top nine candidates presented their innovative concepts and ideas in a shark-tank style program at the event for a chance to […]

It seems like just yesterday I met this amazing group of ladies to begin the BetterU challenge for 2019. I had not worked out in a gym for quite some time, other than the occasional walk on the treadmill or 30 minutes on an elliptical machine. Working with a personal trainer was really eye opening…I knew right away that in order to get strong, and get […]

Small changes are adding up for our Hudson Valley, NY BetterU participants as they progress through the program. LuAnn Toth is eating better and moving more, “Started my day this morning doing 30 minutes on my spin cycle, and then had oatmeal with sliced almonds along with my protein of scrambled eggs with ground turkey!” Check out these […]

“I’m not alone.” That’s what Hudson Valley BetterU participant Ana Rodriguez (pictured far left in blue) shared following a seminar with her fellow BetterU women this morning, citing the positive emotional impact of participation as key. “It doesn’t matter what we look like, or where we’re from…we all […]

NEW YORK – The American Heart Association is very disappointed with the limited scope of the emergency executive action Gov. Cuomo took today, Sept. 15,  which would ban the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes, and hopes that there is an opportunity to include all flavored tobacco products, including menthol combustible cigarettes. “This […]

2019 Dutchess-Ulster BetterU participant Jennifer Gardiner has mastered meal prep and going to the gym as she gets started with the program!  That’s Sparkle ❇ Not Sweat 💦 I had a personal trainer appointment for the very first time ever! My trainer was DQ and he was great! Not only did he kick my butt and I was sore for a few days after (it was […]

Lynne Versaci shared her thoughts as the first week of the BetterU came to a close. Way to go, Lynne! As this first week comes to a close, I can breathe a little easier and I’m not as anxious when it comes to me thinking about my weight. I’ve learned that with moving a little more, choosing healthy options and, oh yeah, getting by with a little help […]

Ana Rodriguez, part of the 2019 Dutchess Ulster BetterU class, shared her enthusiasm of being in the BetterU! Here are her words – What an “AWESOME” 1st week I have had😁 From the kickoff on August 16, to my 2nd personal training session with Kristen at Gold’s Gym on Aug. 22 to a Zumba Class and a Body Pump Class with a few half-hour […]

Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative (MVHC) hosted a celebratory event culminating their Vaping Prevention Contest to help teens from the Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties learn the truth about vaping and raise awareness among their peers, parents and policy makers through creative and compelling […]

National CPR & AED Awareness Week is June 1–7 The American Heart Association presented Orange County Sheriff Deputy Andrew Eberhardt with their HeartSaver Hero Award for using his CPR skills to help a man when he suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest. The award was presented Thursday, June 6th at the Orange County Government Center. “We present […]

The American Heart Association invites local women to apply for the 10th Anniversary BetterU Challenge, sponsored by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation. The 12-week program, starting August 9th, is designed to improve cardiovascular health through simple lifestyle changes and prevent heart disease—women’s number one killer. The program is […]

Tickets are still available for the May 31st Westchester Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Hilton Westchester. The event features morning education sessions, health and wellness expo, inspiring survivor stories, and keynote address by Suzanne R. Steinbaum, DO, FACC, FAHA. Steinbaum is a cardiologist and Director of Women’s Cardiovascular […]

Despite the rainy weather, hundreds of local residents came out to participate in the TriCounty Heart Walk on Sunday, May 5th at Harriman State Park to support the programs and research of the American Heart Association. Donations are still being accepted at www.tricountyheartwalk.org. Several red-caped “SUPER-heroes” were presented with Heart Hero […]

During May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, the world’s largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease and stroke, shares seven habits to help prevent stroke. Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by not smoking, making healthy food choices, getting enough […]

There is still time to register for the TriCounty Heart Walk on Sunday, May 5th at Harriman State Park. Register online at www.tricountyheartwalk.org. You might see a few red-caped “SUPER-heroes” there, like kindergartner Sydney Lundgren, Heart Hero and Junior Honoree for the TriCounty Heart Walk. The enemy she’s battled since before her birth was a […]

The American Heart Association announced Suzanne R. Steinbaum, DO, FACC, FAHA, cardiologist and Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Prevention, Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai Heart in New York City, as the keynote speaker for the Go Red for Women Luncheon in Westchester County on May 31st at the Hilton Westchester. Tickets are on sale now at […]

There’s still time to register for the April 13th Dutchess Ulster Heart Walk at its new location, Dutchess Community College. The event tackles heart disease and stroke, the number one and five killers, in two ways—miles walked, and dollars raised. Walking gets hearts pumping to help prevent these leading killers, and the funds raised will support the […]

Great news from the NYS Capitol! Senate’s passage of Tobacco 21 means a better future for New York’s youth! The American Heart Association applauds the New York state Senate for its passage of Tobacco 21 (S2833/ A558-A) by a vote of 52 to 8 today. Tobacco 21 raises the legal sales age for tobacco products to 21. “Nearly 30 % of all New York high school […]

Lifelong Putnam resident Barbara Scuccimarra will be recognized as the 2019 Putnam Heart Walk Community Honoree for her work on the Tobacco 21 Law which passed last fall in Putnam County. She will be recognized at the American Heart Association’s Putnam Heart Walk, on Sunday, April 28th at Brewster High School. Heart disease is the leading cause of […]

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) 2nd annual indoor cycling “CycleNation” event was held at Sportsplex Fitness in New Windsor on Thursday, February 28th. The goal of the event was to encourage Hudson Valley residents to use cycling to improve heart and brain health, while raising funds to continue the AHA/ASA’s vital […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) announced St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) the winner of the Heart Walk 2018 “Crothall Healthcare Hospital Cup.” The cup is presented annually by the AHA to the hospital that raises the most funds to fight heart disease and stroke through participation in the TriCounty Heart Walk. St. Luke’s beat out Orange […]

The big game needs big plans for healthy snacks! Don’t sack everyone’s healthy New Year’s resolutions with a party spread filled with fried, fattening or sugary foods. Score a touchdown with a super party buffet full of heart healthy foods to give everyone a healthy option while celebrating the big game! Offering healthy food choices can help people […]

  One in three. That’s the price women pay for cardiovascular disease. While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. That’s a third of mothers, sisters and friends. On National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 1st — nationally […]

GO RED FOR WOMEN® FAST FACTS   Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of one in three women. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular diseases kill one woman about every 80 seconds. But about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases can be […]

Welcome to the blog, News Anchors! The American Heart Association invites you to get involved in National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 1st, to help kick off American Heart Month! Wear red and raise awareness for women’s number one killer—heart disease. Go Red For Women is about much more than wearing red on National Wear Red Day. It’s about making […]

Save the date for the 2019 Westchester Go Red for Women Luncheon on May 31, 2019! We welcome 2019 Go Red For Women Chair: Judy Melillo Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation! For tickets, visit: http://westchestergored.heart.org […]

The American Heart Association announced the new chair for the 16th Annual Westchester Go Red For Women Luncheon set for Friday, May 31st at the Hilton Westchester.  Judy Melillo, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, will lead the Go Red campaign efforts to help raise awareness and funds to fight the […]

In a direct response to the ongoing national opioid crisis, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, will provide two courses to educate both lay responders and all levels of clinical healthcare providers and emergency responders on delivering immediate treatment and care […]

The American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, announced the finalists for the 2019 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, sponsored by Marathon Oil Corporation. Representing the nation’s best in college football, these coaches will compete for the highly-coveted and final […]

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) will hold their 2nd annual indoor cycling “CycleNation” event at Sportsplex Fitness in New Windsor on Thursday, February 28th. The goal of the event is to encourage Hudson Valley residents to use cycling to improve heart and brain health, while raising funds to continue the AHA/ASA’s […]

The American Heart Association announced the launch of their Community Impact Committee which is goaled with building a culture of health in the Westchester community while improving cardiovascular health for all. The Community Impact Committee, or CIC, is a standing committee of the Westchester American Heart Regional Board and responsible for […]

Dining out this holiday season? The American Heart Association offers these tips to help people make healthy choices, even when dining out. The Association’s “Healthy For Good” campaign encourages people to make the healthy choice the default choice for heart health. A nutritious diet including an abundance of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean […]

Thanksgiving is about enjoying time with our family and celebrating with traditional foods we know and love. Unfortunately, many of those foods are packed with fat, sodium, sugar and too many calories. The American Heart Association (AHA) offers these tips and healthy smart substitutions for your holiday meals to help keep health on the holiday menu. […]

The 11th Annual Dutchess-Ulster Go Red For Women Luncheon, was held on Friday, November 9th at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. More than 360 women attended the event the luncheon–the American Heart Association’s signature event to help raise awareness and funds to fight women’s number one killer—heart disease. Donations are being accepted at […]

Today’s BetterU Blog is from: JANNA!   Where has the time gone? Our 12 week Challenge is winding down and it feels like it flew by! And yet, when I look at all that I have accomplished it feels incredible that I haven’t been doing this for much longer. I once heard that it takes 21 days to create a habit, and in googling that to write this […]

This BetterU Blog is from CANDICE! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can’t believe the program is ending. What a ride it has been. Although in the scheme of things, we are just beginning this new phase of our lives. I have learned so much more than just how to eat healthy and exercise. I learned about motivation, perseverance, self-love, […]

A BetterU Blog from EMILY!!! This is the most difficult of the four blog posts I was assigned to write to document my #HVBetterU journey. Why? Because it’s the final one. In eight days, our BetterU team will have our “graduation celebration” at the Hudson Valley Go Red for Women luncheon at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. We’re […]

This BetterU Blog is from…SHERYL!!   Hi all, This, my last blog post, is truly bittersweet. On Nov. 1 I have to go into the hospital to have unexpected eye surgery.  So unfortunately I will not be present for the most fun part of this amazing experience:  The Celebration!! I am so, so sad, but I am still so, so happy that I was chosen to be […]

Today’s BetterU Blog is from JAIME!!! When I received the call from the American Heart Association saying I was accepted into the Better U program 13 weeks ago, I had no idea what this experience would truly mean or how it would affect my entire life the way that it has.  For me, this experience has not only highlighted how important it is to my […]

Today’s BetterU Blog is from Carmella! Week 13 has come so quickly.  What an amazing journey this has been.  I am so proud to be part of this remarkable group of women who have worked so hard and achieved so much.  In early July when I received the call letting me know that I was accepted, I was so surprised.  So many of my friends have gone […]

Today’s BetterU blog is from….Jaime!   How is it that we are already at week 11 of this challenge?  That went fast!  As I’m writing this I’m thinking that “challenge” isn’t the right word to use anymore.  I am definitely feeling that this is more of a true lifestyle now. When I started this journey, there were definitely moments where […]

Today’s BetterU blog is from…Emily!!   As we enter our 12th week of #HVBetterU, I’m taking stock of where I started and where I am now. On Monday, July 23rd, a few days before our BetterU class began, I made the decision to keep a food diary and be mindful of what I eat. At that time, my scale read 240 pounds. Today, 12 weeks later the […]

Wilton, Connecticut resident, Selina Santos, 42, completed the Chicago Marathon Saturday, her heart beating strong with every stride in the 26.2-mile race. Finishing a marathon is no small feat for any runner, but for Santos, a heart disease survivor, crossing that finish line meant so much more. Santos served as a 2016 Faces of Heart Ambassador at the […]

The American Heart Association offered praise to Putnam County Legislators for passage of Tobacco 21 legislation Tuesday night. The legislation calls for increasing the sales age of tobacco products, including cigarettes and vaping products, from 18 to 21 years of age. Putnam became the sixth Hudson Valley county to pass Tobacco 21 legislation in the […]

Today’s BetterU blog is from….Janna! And, suddenly it’s Week 10….I have no idea how it went so quickly! When I started the program, I worked with a great trainer who told me that when I found the exercise I loved. It wouldn’t be hard to keep up a fitness routine. I’ve been on the lookout for the activity I loved for the last ten weeks. I […]

Today’s BetterU Blog is from…Sheryl!! Well, as my screen print shows, my weight is headed in the right direction. My time with my health coach Debbie Justs has come to a close, so now it is totally on me. Exercise still remains difficult for me. My “hiker’s hip” is still yelling at me when I climb steps, walk down from curbs, etc. so it has […]

Nearly 1,000 Westchester area residents, including dozens of corporate and community teams, walked at the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk event Saturday at Kensico Dam in Valhalla. They walked for their hearts, and to fund the American Heart Association’s research. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Heart Walk event nationally. […]

Just over halfway through this program and eating healthy and exercising regularly is still really hard. It’s a different kind of hard than when I first started. You see, at first everything was so overwhelming. There was so much information and I didn’t know where to start. What really helped was telling everyone I knew about it and […]

It’s time to lace up your sneakers for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk event, this Saturday, September 29th at Kensico Dam in Valhalla. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Heart Walk event nationally. Many local companies and residents have registered teams to walk for their own hearts, for heart and stroke research. Register or […]

This BetterU blog is from SHERYL!!! Hi everyone, it’s Sheryl, the second oldest member of the Better U team!  And here we are at Week 7…wow! I think it was our team member Lisa who listed the below statement as being one of her mantras.  After carefully thinking about it and analyzing how I’ve been feeling since we all started this journey, I do […]

This BetterU blog is from….ELISA!!! As we cross over the half way point of the program, I am reflecting on how grateful I am for this program, the women on this journey with me, and the sponsors for making it possible.   Not many things have impacted my life the way this program has. Through the process I have been able to put exercise and food […]

Today’s BetterU blog by……ANNE! Another day, another opportunity to take care of me!  The first thing I do every morning when I open my eyes is give thanks.  I say a quick prayer to remind myself that I am not alone in my journey.  My next thoughts typically turn to my daily plan.  Work commitments? Outfit for the day?  Is it going to […]

Today’s BetterU blog is from…JUDY! Can’t believe we are almost ½ through this amazing challenge. I can say it has CHANGED  my lifestyle and I am very HAPPY & BLESSED  for this. Had not been in a gym for so many years (hard to rem ember when) little exercise ,was not a healthy eater, overweight, & achy. So I am not finished with my […]

This BetterU blog post is from…JAIME!!! At first, I didn’t know what to write about for this week’s post.  So many things were spinning around my head and I wasn’t really sure where to start, but then after reading something from one of our mentors talking about setbacks it came to me.  Now that we are in week 5 of our Better U challenge I feel […]

Today’s BetterU Blog Post is from CANDICE! These are words I’ve often told others. Now only if I could listen to my own advice. I’ve always been an over-achiever, a perfectionist. I gravitate to things I’m good at doing. No wonder I’ve avoided taking care of my physical health for so long. I don’t fully understand […]

So many times when I take photos, I find I’m searching out reflections. One third of our way through the BetterU challenge, I’m stopping for a minute to reflect. I find it hard to believe that after tearing my meniscus in early June that I could barely walk up stairs, but that was the case. That fall and injury caused me to make a reassessment of my […]

A BetterU Blog Post from…CARMELLA! I’d like to start off with a little history about myself.  I have high blood pressure that is controlled by 3 medicines.  My family has a history of stroke, diabetes, breast cancer and heart disease.  My mom and her mom passed at 54 and 56 respectively.  My dad was gone at 78.  I saw myself gaining weight over […]

Today’s BetterU blog post is from JANNA! It’s hard to believe we are already 4 weeks in to BetterU! I had a tough time adjusting when the program started, but I think I’m getting into a routine. It’s starting to feel like normal instead of something that I just have to get through. I am in the worst shape of my life. I’ve never been thin, and I […]

Today’s BetterU blog is from Janine! When I started this I was super nervous. I knew I needed to do something. My weight had sky rocketed. I was heavier than I ever been and honestly thought why can I not get control of this. I kept thinking my cholesterol is high. My thyroid dr told me it’s the one that clogs the arteries. You need to go on […]

 It’s back-to-school time! The American Heart Association offers some budget-friendly, creative ideas for back-to-school season to help keep kids happy and healthy at lunchtime. Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963. Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health […]

Today’s BetterU Blog post is from Danielle Perry! What a difference 3 weeks can make… After having “The Scan” I’ve been eating better and making MUCH healthier choices. Multiple times over the past 3 weeks I have been at Gold’s gym at 5:30am taking classes. (Who am I??) I even made zucchini tots!! I don’t cook. I have never […]

Today’s BetterU Blog is from Denise! She attended yesterday’s nutrition seminar by Roufia Payman, DT, CDN!   Yesterday was a real eye opener for me.  As a result of Roufia’s class, I spent almost 2 hours in the grocery store last night.  Trust me, I’ve never spent that much time in a grocery store in y ears.  I’m usually just a grab […]

BetterU Participant Judy Shares Her Week One Recap! The 3D body scan gave me a scare! Actually, seeing the scan probably was the best thing because it made me really commit and realize I had to make a change to Better Me. I had a good week . I had a week off from work which made it easier. Changed a lot of things in my life. Cleaned out my cabinets and […]

Blog post today from JAIME BUTLER! For me, the best parts of week 1 was just pushing myself to make each day count either at the gym or when making choices about my meals, the support of my co-workers/friends/parents for my efforts and the support or feedback from the group via our group Facebook page.  We are cheering each other on and celebrating […]

Better U week 2!  Blog post by Anne De Muro! I’m finding it difficult to chronicle my thoughts regarding the program.  I knew it was going to be a great opportunity.  I knew that being selected to participate meant I would have access to a laundry list of resources geared towards helping me achieve success. I never anticipated the sense of sisterhood I […]

Blog post submitted by SHARI! I was so ready to change my life, in little ways, a day at a time and thanks to the AHA, Central Hudson & Gold’s Gym, I was all in. But it appears that the powers that be have conspired against me. I knew time would be an issue – I seldom make time for myself, with a demanding job, an aging parent and an ailing […]

Blog post by 2018 BetterU Participant EMILY DARROW! The BetterU journey is amazing. I’m still in disbelief that I was lucky enough to be chosen by this program. During Friday’s orientation and public announcement, I was so moved by each of my BetterU Class of 2018’s stories – my amazing teammates on this journey. Then, during […]

Blog post provided by BetterU Challenger JAIME BUTLER! This is our first week of being a part of the American Heart Association Better U Makeover Challenge and it has started with a bang.  The kickoff event on July 27th was such an uplifting experience that energized all of the 2018 participants to get up and go!  A huge thanks to our sponsors: Gold’s […]

BetterU Blog Post #1 – from Sheryl DeStafeno-Bowe Kickoff complete! It was so great meeting our team and hearing each others’ stories. This is really a great opportunity! The more tools for health, the better! Have to say that I was feeling really low when we had our workout at the end, because everything was so hard for me. My arthritis […]