It’s my favorite time of year! The days are getting longer, the farmers market is full of spring veggies and it’s time to kick off BetterU 2014!
I am in my third year partnering with the American Heart Association as the Health Coach for the Springfield Go Red BetterU Makeover Challenge. Go Red BetterU is a 12 week program that offers guidance for a heart-healthy makeover through small steps and simple choices. For the summer I get the privilege of helping 10 Springfield area women learn to take control of their health and their lives while becoming health ambassadors themselves.
What do they get?
- A heart risk assessment from Mercy Women’s Heart Center
- An educational presentation from Dr. Lakshmi Parvathaneni
- A personal training program and Fitness Foundation classes from yours truly at Thrive Personal Fitness
- Access to programs and facilities from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
But what really makes BetterU so special is the intangible things they get: improved health numbers, more energy and a renewed self confidence. It’s about the power of women supporting each other. It’s learning the power of small change and consistency. While these things can be experienced in just 12 weeks, rest assured that this isn’t about a quick fix or extreme weight loss. BetterU is about laying the foundation for a fitness journey to last a lifetime.
While there is no “winner” of this challenge, all 10 participants will get to strut their stuff at the Go Red for Women luncheon in September. They may get to share their stores on the blog or local media. I’ll be snapping pictures to share their progress along the way. (I promise not to get your “bad” side).
So are you ready ladies of 417-land? Will this be your year? Is this your time to become the BetterU you’ve been waiting for? All you have to do is take the first step: apply.
Go to www.heart.org/springfieldmo for the application.
We’ll be taking applications through the month of April so you have plenty of time to review the rules and make your best case on why you deserve to take part in the 2014 BetterU Makeover Challenge.
Any questions about the challenge? Ask away!
