Washington Redskins Health, Wellness and Fitness EXPO

I always find it interesting when someone says they will never have a heart attack or they live "healthy". I once thought that too. There are also those who admit to having heart disease then grab the most unhealthy thing on the way out the door to go smoke. I always "thought" I was healthy and while I may not dive into Twinkies, I am sure all of my food choices have not always been the best.

Yesterday was a great day as I was able to give back and share my story through the American Heart Association and Go Red at the Redskins Stadium. I was also able to share my day with Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International, whom is an amazing young lady. She is clearly passionate and knowledgeable on heart disease and stroke and honestly I was completely impressed. I am not sure I was that eloquent at 18 (ok I wasn't:) She shared her story about her cousin Erik and her own personal struggles with self image and making the right food choices. She is an amazing spokesperson for the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Thank you Roxana Hoveyda and the American Heart Association for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing event!

While I was there I decided to walk the walk if I was sharing and had my cholesterol checked, body fat (yes, that was fun), bone density and blood pressure. Since my heart attack and stint placement in January I have kept track but it had been some time. Yes, we did take photos and my finger stick did not prove to be successful at first but try and try again...success. 

So I am going to share. More because it helps me to be accountable and make the changes I need too. My husband likes to hide his numbers but I encourage you to share and work with a family member or friend. Yes, weight is important but these numbers can also save your life.

Cholesterol total: 170
HDL (Happy cholesterol:)))) 59 (should be higher)
LDL (Lousy cholesterol) 82
Trig (much like math just painful but my numbers where good) 145
BP 128/79 (almost text book!)
Body Fat: 22.6.... yes, Miss Teen was lower.....much lower.....
Lung Capacity 350. This has always been an issue for me. Raised in Florida, allergies...etc..

I know making the time to go visit your primary care physician can be tough.  Health fairs are great for gathering information. It literally took 10 minutes. Also log on to http://www.goredforwomen.org/ and take the health quiz.

The day ended with a splurge on veggie chips...beats Twinkies...right!:)))))

Its hard to believe that tomorrow marks the 9 year anniversary of 911. I remember it all so well. I was at HSN as a buyer and we had a "Todays Special" for a brand I had at the time ALOETTE and it started at 7am. I was siting at the producers desk with him and the brand launched. We recieved a call saying that a plane had crashed into a building which is why our sales where down. It was breaking news. The original report to us was that it was a small plane which did not turn out to be the case. Soon after, we heard another plane crashed and I remember running to the dreen room to see the news. I walked in to see the horrific replay of what was going on. It was a moment of silence. As the day went on and we returned to the office everyone's life was on hold. Where we being attacked? What about our children. Should we stay on the air. Those with children left as I would have too. All I really wanted to do was to hug my family. I remember my Father had just passed away and I wondered what would he do. What would he say. I felt lost as sooooo many others did.

My future husband deployed to Iraq as many did. It was a time that no one knew what the outcome would be. All we knew was that you came to my house and killed my so many innocent people. You came to my house to create fear. To scare us....Well, we didn't lay down. Today, my sister is still deployed to Iraq and my husband went again in 2006.

Saying all that, the one thing that comes to mind to me today is my Father. He was an incredible man. The recent news of a Pastor in Florida I just find so disturbing. I am glad he backed away. So many have lost lives, fought for life and this just created such undo tension in an AMERICAN society where Muslims do and should have a free right of religion. They are American and because they live here, they have the choice to practice whatever denomination they believe in. As ALL AMERICANS do. This is what we fight for.

My Father once said to me that a church is wherever you choose to believe. God hears you no matter where you are. My God may not be your God and you may not believe in everything I believe in. The one consistant is the greater good. Please love and huge your neighbors AND REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR THOSE THAT ARE DEPLOYED AND THOSE WHOM HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN...be free to choose.

Did you know that September is the National Cholesterol Education Month?

My family history and heart disease is strong. My parents both passed of heart disease and many members of my family have constantly struggled with what I call the cholesterol juggle. You know the juggle. The pounds of cheerios we eat, cholesterol meds and any other food that swears to help...well, we just DO IT! The one thing we often forget to do is to get things checked. Its important to know your numbers and learn what they mean. My heart attack last January was a HUGE wakeup call for me. My total was under 200 and my LDL was 68. Everyone's body is different and mine just needed to be lower.

It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history), while some of it comes from the food we eat.




There are two types of cholesterol: "good" and "bad." It's important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is only found in animal products.




A cholesterol screening measures your level of HDL and LDL. HDL is the "good" cholesterol which helps keep the LDL (bad) cholesterol from getting lodged into your artery walls. A healthy level of HDL may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.



If you need to increase your HDL to your reach your goals, studies show that regular physical activity can help your body produce more HDLs. Reducing trans fats and eating a balanced, nutritious diet is another way to increase HDL. If these measures are not enough to increase your HDL to goal, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe a medication specifically to increase your HDLs

LDL cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.




LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, lifestyle modifications may not be enough to help lower your LDL blood cholesterol. Everyone is different, so work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that's best for you.

To learn more, log onto http://www.heart.org/ and don't ever forget to LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!