Women Choose To Move Toward Better = (NAPSA)—Fewer than one in 10 womenare awareof their number one health threat—heart dis- ease and stroke; there is hearten- ing news, the risk of heart attack and stroke can be lessened. A few simple steps can help keep you on the path toward health and fitness. Here are hints from experts: First, if you smoke...Quit! Talk to your doctor about ways to kick the habit once andforall. Next, eat smart. Following a diet low in fat and cholesterol will reduce your risk for heart disease. Eat fish, poultry, lean meats, low- Finding the time and the way fat or non-fat dairy products, whole grains and plenty of fruits to stay physically fit may be easler—and more important—than many women realize. Then, get moving. Studies Move, the free, sensible program and vegetables. show physically active women have a substantially lower risk of cardiovascular disease than sedentary women. Start off slowly and gradually build up to a routine, aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Remember, housework, walking the dog and your yard work can all be part of your commitment to increased activity. Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program. To help busy women find the time for fitness and gain energy, a free 12-week physical activity pro- gram has been created by the American Heart Association and Bayer Aspirin. Called Choose To helps women recognize small, manageable changes they can fit into theirlifestyles. Each participant gets a pro- gram book filled with tips and tools to help her achieve herfit- ness goals. The tools include: eA weekly activity schedule eNews about women and heart disease eWeekly at-a-glance tips Participants are divided into three fitness levels. After complet- ing each 12-week phase, the woman evaluates her own progress and may then move upto anotherlevel. Women who wantto participate in this free program can sign up by calling 1-888-MY-HEART or log- ging on to www.choosetomove.org.
