Heart-healthy program offers slots for 12 local women

The American Heart Association is seeking 12 local women to participate in its BetterU program.

BetterU is an initiative that will chronicle the journeys of these women toward meaningful lifestyle changes that improve their heart health, according to a news release.

The 12-week BetterU Makeover Challenge, sponsored by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., is designed to remind all women of the need to make healthy lifestyle choices. It begins Dec. 5 and runs through Feb. 27.

"BetterU is a free online nutrition and fitness program that can help all women to make better lifestyle choices," said Denise VanBuren, vice president of corporate communications at Central Hudson.

Applications are being accepted to be one of the dozen women.

Participants will be featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal and their success will be celebrated at the annual Go Red for Women luncheon on March 2.

Each of the 12 women will receive a three-month membership and personal training at Gold's Gym, a baseline medical evaluation from Health Quest and nutrition coaching from a local dietitian. BetterU participants will have group workouts, food shopping field trips and blog about their progress.

"Best of all, every local woman can access online the same great information to the BetterU program's important heart health information, expert tips, recipes and online journals, so even if you're not one of the 12 women selected, you can still actively participate," VanBuren said. "Our goal is to make heart health a priority for local women. We feel as though we're sponsoring a better us for the Hudson Valley by being involved with BetterU."

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, taking the life of one in three women — almost one woman every minute, according to the heart association.

"This new BetterU Challenge will help empower local women to make their heart health goals a reality. We hope that women everywhere sign up online and take the challenge themselves," said Tonya Addy, the association's Hudson Valley region executive director.