Sixers LOVE Your Body Challenge--Week 1

Cathy(chipper)...........................SW 248.4 lbs / GW 240.0 lbs / CW 248.4 lbs / PROGRESS
Kristin (kistinbee)......................SW 162.0 lbs / GW 155.0 lbs / CW 162.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Maria(irishgal44).......................SW 181.4 lbs / GW 172.0 lbs / CW 181.4 lbs / PROGRESS
Arwamya (arwamya).................SW 160.0 lbs / GW 150.0 lbs / CW 160.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Jessyca(JAYDENSMAMAS).......SW 221.4 lbs / GW 215.0 lbs / CW 221.4 lbs / PROGRESS
Datenshi.......................................SW 258.0 lbs / GW 250.0 lbs / CW 258.0 lbs / PROGRESS

Clare (Finnhead).......................SW 166.8 lbs / GW 161.0 lbs / CW 162.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Amez(Amyls8711).....................SW 280.0 lbs / GW 275.0 lbs / CW 275.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Sandy (Izzypup)..........................SW 187.0 lbs / GW 184.0 lbs / CW 191.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Lauren (ren315)........................SW 203.0 lbs / GW 199.0 lbs / CW 207.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Kel (redneckwoman)................SW 155.8 lbs / GW 150.0 lbs / CW 150.8 lbs / PROGRESS
Beky (bekylouisex3)..................SW 133.5 lbs / GW 128.0 lbs / CW 130.5 lbs / PROGRESS
Julia (jmiller0906).....................SW 134.2 lbs / GW 130.0 lbs / CW 134.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Lorna (lulabellewoowoo) ........SW 131.2 lbs / GW 127.0 lbs / CW 127.0 lbs / PROGRESS
AmyS(Amy_36)...........................SW 209.0 lbs / GW 199.0 lbs / CW 208.0 lbs / PROGRESS
Jennifer (candycaneps)............SW 177.4 lbs / GW 172.0 lbs / CW 175.6 lbs / PROGRESS
Katy (katyk08)..............................SW 195.4 lbs / GW 190.0 lbs / CW 193.8 lbs / PROGRESS
Tiff (gonabfit) ..............................SW 166.5 lbs / GW 155.0 lbs / CW 162.6 lbs / PROGRESS
Susan (Suedre)..........................SW 162.0 lbs / GW 157.0 lbs / CW 162.5 lbs / PROGRESS

**I moved up the few people who joined us yesterday since they already put their SW and GW.

This was emailed to us at work and I just thought I would share! A bit of a read, but good to keep in mind!

In recognition of February’s Heart Awareness month, we’d like you to take a few minutes to read about the American Heart Association’s, Life Simple 7’s. All you need is a goal, a plan and a desire to live better.


Life’s Simple 7’s.
My Life Check was designed by the American Heart Association with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have--to live a long, productive healthy life.

GET ACTIVE
Finding time in our overscheduled lives for exercise is a challenge for all busy Americans. Especially for those who are parents or are working full-time or both. But the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices it takes to carve out that time. And anyone who has successfully managed to do so will tell you how happy they are to have found the time. They’ll tell you how much more energy they have, and how they are actually able to do more than before they started getting regular exercise. So no more excuses! Take an active role in determining your future. You deserve to give yourself the gift of living well with good health.

CONTROL CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke.

EAT BETTER
A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. However, there are a lot of mixed messages and myths out there regarding healthy eating. It’s not surprising that a lot of us are confused about the different types of fats. We have lots of questions regarding sodium and meat and dairy. With all the differing opinions, it’s best to get informed from credible sources, so you can make smart choices in your diet for long-term benefits to your heart and health. It's the overall pattern of your choices that counts most.

MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE
Hypertension is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It's sometimes called "the silent killer" because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, about 21% don’t even know they have it. Of those with high blood pressure, 69% are receiving treatment, yet, only 45% have their blood pressure controlled.

LOSE WEIGHT
Among Americans age 20 and older, 145 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). That’s 76.9 million men and 68.1 million women. This is of great concern especially since obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist — you're at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.

If you're overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. When coming up with a fitness and nutrition plan to lose weight, it’s crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake. And then the amount of food calories you’re consuming verses the energy calories you’re burning off with different levels of physical activity. It’s a matter of balancing healthy eating (caloric energy) with the (molecular) energy that leaves your body through a healthy level of exercise.

REDUCE BLOOD SUGAR
The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.
Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, most people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.

STOP SMOKING
Impact of Smoking on Health
Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries — which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. Controlling or reversing atherosclerosis is an important part of preventing future heart attack or stroke.