The American Heart Association painted Towne East Square Mall "red" Saturday. Dozens of women came out to the event hoping to become part of this year's "BetterU" Makeover Challenge. Sherry Aguirre says, "I have a friend who introduced me to this event and so I thought I'd come out. She's made great progress and I'm ready to make some change myself."
The American Heart Association will chose 15 ladies for a 3 month program of exercise training, dietary counseling, and cardiovascular work-ups, with a common goal to become more heart healthy. Last year's winner Devon Packard says, "In 22 years, this is probably the first thing I ever did for myself."
Many people worried they would not have time in their busy schedules to make changes, but that didn't stop Packard. She says, "I'm a mother of seven and I have a full-time job. And I try to take care of my husband also. So, if anybody has an excuse it's me."
Packard achieved more success than anyone in last year's challenge. She says, "I was able to significantly lower all of my numbers into normal ranges." Something she says she could not have done with a team of support. Kathy Elston with Palmer Physical Therapy for Women says, "We really try to look at the big picture. Incredible number changes with cholesterol, hypertension, getting blood pressures better. So, big changes in numbers, new girlfriends, and life long changes, that's really what it's about."
After the 15 women are chosen, the challenge starts on April 6th.
