Heart disease is the number one killer of women. According to a recent national study:

Only 8% of American women realize it is a greater threat than cancer

A woman has a 50% chance of dying from her first heart attack, compared with a 30% chance for a man

Of those who survive their first heart attack, 38% of women will die within a year, vs. 25% of men

46% of women are disabled by heart failure after a heart attack, compared with 22% of men

Nearly 600,000 New York women suffer from heart disease

Research indicates that one-third of heart-related deaths can be prevented by simple exercise.

How to Get Fit, Fabulous and Healthy At Any Age, A Special Evening with Kathrine Switzer, is a program designed to help women of every age and fitness level take control of their health and fitness. Presented by the YWCA of the City of New York and Tracey Picon Communications, the event will be held on October 14, 2003 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the YWCA of the City of New York, 610 Lexington Avenue at 53rd Street in Manhattan. The participant fee of $25 includes registration and a free fitness walking guide. For more information or to register for the event, call (718) 740-8572 or visit www.traceypicon.com.

The program will be conducted by renowned health and fitness expert Kathrine Switzer, who has just been named the 2003 Abebe Bikila award winner by the New York Road Runners for her lifelong contributions to worldwide running and fitness. Switzer is also the 1974 New York City Marathon winner and author of Running and Walking for Women over 40: The Road to Sanity and Vanity (St. Martin's Pess).

This special engagement promotes the benefits of time efficient, cost-effective and accessible exercise options, particularly walking and running, that help women build confidence and self-esteem, while improving their physical health and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Topics also include nutrition, weight loss and starting and maintaining an exercise program.

"Women need to "get heart smart", which means making exercise a priority," said Kathrine Switzer. "This is an investment in their future, not an indulgence. Fortunately, it's fun. A moderate program can add quality years to women's lives and reduce their stress level while increasing their overall sense of well-being."

"The YWCA is committed to educating women about the risk of heart disease. This program will provide women with the motivational tools and resources to incorporate a simple fitness regimen into their busy lives," said Rennie Roberts, Executive Director, YWCA of the City of New York.

"While preparing for the holiday season, it's important we stay focused on getting and staying in shape," added Switzer. Recommendations and fitness tips for the upcoming holidays include:

Have a great feast just not every day. It is difficult to gain a great deal of weight from one or two special holiday meals. It is consistently over-eating that causes significant weight gain, including those extra sweets and leftovers. Have healthy snacks during the day so you don't overeat. Eat a banana an hour before a big feast. You'll take the edge off your hunger, but still enjoy the meal by eating a little of everything only less.

Start the day with breakfast. A healthy breakfast starts the metabolism and keeps from from feeling starved later. A great choice is oatmeal with skim milk. It not only fills you up, but oat bran is a fat-absorbing substance that promotes healthy elimination of fat from your system. The skim milk is a great source of non-fat protein and calcium.

Cook and eat smartly. If you are preparing a holiday meal, use more olive and canola oil and less butter and lard. Try to eliminate fatty foods from every day meals to balance the indulgences of holiday feasts. For example, use turkey breast and mustard in sandwiches instead of cheese, bologna and mayonnaise.

Exercise. It is actually hard to gain weight from a holiday food binge if you exercise briskly every day. Consistently over-eating is the culprit, and consistent daily exercise is the solution. Thirty minutes or more of exercise raises your heart rate and gets you sweating, which will keep the extra pounds away. Do more to make a bigger dent in the waistline. Engage in a variety of activities with friends and family like sledding, ice skating, biking, hiking and jogging. Exercising will also give you extra energy, so you can fully participate in holiday activities. And just WALK everywhere!

Buddy-up. The best motivation to get moving is knowing that someone is waiting for you. Make a standing daily date to meet a friend, neighbor or family member for regular exercise. Take the kids out every evening for a stroll or a romp in the snow; you'll both benefit.

About the YWCA of the City of New York

Since 1870, the YWCA of the City of New York has been a pioneer for social change through innovative programs that improve the lives of the women, girls and families of New York City. From the YW's headquarters at 53rd and Lexington, its Flushing Branch and eight child care centers citywide, the YW serves New Yorkers with a wide variety of programs including: employment training for women and dislocated workers, girls' leadership development, networking for youth with disabilities and fitness and arts programs. For additional information, call the YWCA at (212) 755-4500, via e-mail at info@ywcanyc.org or visit www.ywcanyc.org.<

 

 

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