All across the Garden State, individuals, families and groups are deciding to live Healthy For GoodTM by making changes to their lifestyle. Starting an exercise program, reducing stress levels, incorporating better eating habits, quitting smoking and managing blood pressure and cholesterol are just a few examples of the many ways that people are getting healthy.
The American Heart Association is seeking nominations for Lifestyle Change Awards, which are celebrated at Heart Walks in communities throughout New Jersey this fall. The award recognizes people or groups who have made changes that have impacted their quality of life and improved their health.
Heart Walk is part of the American Heart Association’s new Healthy For Good movement which encourages Americans to lead healthier lives by delivering science-based recommendations, tools, tips and motivation to build healthier behaviors. Held in more than 305 communities throughout the US, the Heart Walk is designed to promote healthy lifestyles while raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers – heart disease and stroke.
The Healthy For Good movement is based on four pillars: Eat Smart. Add Color. Move More. Be Well. According to the American Heart Association, less than 1 percent of Americans meet the association’s definition of ideal cardiovascular health, primarily due to poor diet. In the U.S., about two in three adults and one in three children are overweight or obese. Around 45 percent of adults are not sufficiently active to receive health benefits and about one in three adults participate in NO leisure time physical activity.
Nominations for the Lifestyle Change Award can be submitted by friends, co-workers or relatives or individuals can nominate themselves. Please note that in order to be considered, individuals must be non-smokers or smoke-free for a minimum of six months.
Information, nomination forms and deadlines can be found on each individual Heart Walk website. To find the Heart Walk nearest you, visit www.heart.org/newjersey.