February is Heart Month
byFebruary is Heart Month across Canada and through various campaigns and promotions the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon hopes to raise awareness about heart health.Â
Two days ago, my 89 year old grandmother had a heart attack and we have been in and out of the hospital to visit her. My family is taking this very hard as she’s not only the matriarch whom even my childhood friends refer to as “Oma”, but we lost my Opa to a heart attack when I was a teenager. I was already planning on running a promotional campaign with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the events this week are even more reason for me to write about Hearth Month.
To find out if you are at risk, please download the free “My Heart&Stroke Health” application for your smart phone. It will take 8-10 minutes to fill out the survey and find out if you have any risk factors.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon website also provides recipes, fitness tips, and tools for healthy living. Things as simple a taking the stairs versus the elevator in your building can make a different when it comes to heart health. Please take the time to look through some of this information and consider donating to this cause.Â
One of the many lifestyle choices that can help us reduce our risk is being physically active for that reason we have teamed for a contest offering up a hotel stay in Whistler, one of the most active communities around. You can take walks around the village, ski or snowboard, snowshoe, and hike in the summer months (which is one of my favourite activities).
The winner and a guest will enjoy a one night stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort in Whistler (approximate value $685) as well as two one-day EDGE cards for Whistler Blackcomb. March is Family Month in Whistler with a focus on active and healthy lifestyles.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
I will draw one winner at random from all entries next Thursday, February 17, 2011. I sincerely thank you for considering this cause, and your own heart health.
Update I jumbled up some scheduling while away in Africa so I will actually be keeping this contest open until February 19th – keep those helpful entries coming!
Update The winner is Michael (@striverecruit) – congratulations!
Fine print for the hotel contest: Subject to space availability, not redeemable for cash and may not be re-sold, subject to cancellation without notice if sold or otherwise auctioned, excludes applicable taxes and gratuity, not replaceable in case of loss. Please present the gift certificate upon check-in (no copies). Gift certificate is non-transferable to another Four Seasons Hotel or Resort. Open only to residents of BC & Yukon.
237 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I eat plenty of hearth-healthy fibre and fats like oatmeal, fruits & veggies, olive oil, flax seed, and walnuts 🙂
i eat lots of fruits & vegetables, and try to get up to the mountain on the weekend to ski 🙂
I do weekly cardio kickboxing
Eat less salt! Try to use a minimal amount in cooking, and don’t put salt on the table.
squash – love it!
I eat a lot of salad nad low-fat food and walk for about 30 to 45 minutes a day.
I ski in the winter, bike in the summer and walk everywhere as often as I can.
I walk, jog or run at least an hour a day. Get up from behind the computer once in a while!
I keep my heart healthy by LAUGHING a lot! 😀
I am exercising regularly and eating a healthier diet!
I walk a lot more (don’t have a car anymore!), go swimming and eating more greens in my diet. I hope your Oma feels better soon 🙂
get to whistler as offten as possible to get a good work out
summer or winter
active
I maintain a healthy lifestyle by attending boot camp 3 days a week, and heading up to the local mountains or Whistler for snowboarding when ever I can! In the summer it’s all about riding my bike.
I snowboard, go to the gym and eat a balanced diet. Hope your Oma gets better soon!
I take every opportunity I can to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Walking & biking to and from work everyday elevates my heart rate to keep my heart happy and strong. I will continue to make the most of our beautiful city rain or shine, and it will continue to provide a healthy and proud feeling ‘me’.
I exercise.
I drink red wine and play hockey. 🙂
I make the most of Vancouver: Hike, bike, swim, snowboard, yoga and of course read the Miss 604 Blog.
I try to eat as healthy a diet as I can, but I also excercise very regularly. Play and train for competitive rugby 3 days a week, and another 3 days a week I’m either riding the bike or lifting weights in the gym.
climb 8 flights of stairs to work instead of taking the elevator, eat at least 35 different types of food everyday and make sure i get a dose of laughter every day.
I try to eat right and walk everywhere transit won’t take me.
I play ultimate frisbee! Best sport ever.
Bike to work (1.5 hours a day!)
I started running and weightlifting. I went skiing at Whistler for the first time last week, it was great fun and I’d love to go again.
Lots and lots of veggies, minimal salt, and cardio!
Squash, snowboarding, biking and a well balanced diet ! 🙂
A healthy heart is achieved through balance. Laughter, red wine, running, yoga and fresh air. Have a life to keep yours strong.
I cut out flour and bread whenever possible and make sure I have salads and vegetables for meals. My fiancee and I are also signing up for Tennis lessons!
I love playing squash and look for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check on foods!
I walk every day with my dog & try to stay away from processed foods. I also work hard to fitting in my 5-7 servings of veg & fruit everyday. Thanks for the opportunity, I’d love to win!
I dance 3 days a week, I ski, and I go to the gym twice a week too. Lots of cardio!
Will ride.
Eating well and doing physical activity in the form of walking to work, pilates and yoga – my favourite ways of keeping a healthy body and heart
Just took the survery.. I have risk factors I never considered! Thank you! I eat well (most of the time!) and try to excercise at least 3 times a week or more…. plus regular check ups!
i play badminton every once a week for 4 hours straight with my friends. high school is tough but still gotta leave some time for some sports. XD
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I WANT THIS SO BAD!
“an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” that’s all i wanted to say, thanks.
Yoga and red wine! Not simultaneously 😉
I eat healthy, and ride my BIKE!
Cardo at the gym, Special K cereal, fruit and veg, and red wine!!
i try to get physical exercise at least 60 mins a day
I am vegetarian, cut back on salt, and in the summer, do the grind twice a week!
Run, bike, ski, golf…. and keep the best-drinking to a minimum.
My Dad suffered a heart attack in 2007 at 58. Fortunately, he survived. But since then my entire family has changed habits: Eating more fruits & vegetables, less salt, using olive oil instead of butter to cook and exercising regularly are key. My dad and I play squash twice a week, and I play soccer 3 times a week.
Exercise an d healthy eating!
My parents both have high blood pressure and on both sides we have heart disease. A year ago I started running and now have my brother running as well!
I try to do the Grind at least once a week when it’s open then either a walk on the seawall (West Van or Stanley Park) or a quick hike to Quarry Rock on those I-don’t-have-much-time days =)
Try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and exercise regularly…doing my best to keep my heart healthy!
Us two carnivores actually cut out alot of the fatty meats we were guzzling down daily, and ended up adding alot more fruits and fibre to our diet.
I bike to work most days… except when the weather doesn’t cooperate!
We eat less salt and use minimal amounts in our cooking. Use Becel instead of butter or use olive or grapeseed oils. I also use Transit to commute to work which means more walking.
I joined a gym last year and took up kickboxing!
I feel my feelings instead of eating them. 🙂
My dad had triple bypass surgery 9 years ago, so this cause hits home.
Eat healthy!
Yoga, soccer, snowboarding… love it!
I maintain my heart health through practising Vinyasa yoga, eating an anti-inflammatory diet (margarine is bad!), and drinking 8-12 glasses of water a day.
I take advantage of this amazing city I live in. Walk the sea wall, ski on the mountains, and swim in the ocean.
I like to eat blueberries everyday for the antioxidants and walk our beautiful neighbourhood.
Play hockey once a week for exercise
I exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
Eating vegan and keeping active. Does wonders for your health, and not just your heart!
Healthy eating and no meat!
I am a vegetarian. I’m also trying to reduce my sodium intake but it is hard!!
I walk whenever possible.
I bike to work or walk.
I recently overhauled my diet by cutting way back on meat. I eat more fish, veggies and whole grains now, and try to cut out the junk.
I have a gym at work in which I try to use as much as possible.
I play sports (especially winter sports) and try to eat healthy. Keyword “try”. 🙂
I have increased my veggie intake and have committed to working out at the gym 3 days a week. Prior to that.. I didn’t eat much veggies and never went to the gym.
I eat a vegetarian diet and get exercise by biking and running.
My dad had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery at the age of 48 which really motivated me to change my eating habits. I have reduced my sodium intake, eat only whole wheat or whole grain options (never white!), use only canola or olive oil when I cook, and eat more fruits & veggies. I’ve also joined a rec dodgeball league and I go to a bootcamp class once a week.
Nobody thinks heart disease will affect them until you see it firsthand so take Heart Month as an opportunity to help that little pump out!
I meal plan and cook only healthy meals. (Nothing processed) I also go for a brisk daily walk with the dog and encourage my family to come along. I tweeted @muckymoo
I dance, laugh and drink red wine and try to hit the gym 4 times a week 🙂
I walk instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the elevator, garden & eat the fresh veggies I grow, and work out at the false creek community centre twice weekly 🙂
Walk to pick the kids up from school.
I walk everywhere downtown.
I eat oatmeal with flax seeds for breakfast and walk for 30 minutes daily.
cardio!
I eat porridge, sprinkled with ground flax seed and half a banana 5 days a week.
I walk 30 min’s and eat 3 fruits a day.
I like to go to the gym whenever I can, and I eat lots of veggies and fruits every day!
I keep the old ticker ticking by running when I can and avoiding as much of the artery clogging foods as my will power will let me!
I was very active but now have a health condition that limits what I can do. As a result I have gotten out of shape and my glucose and cholesterol levels have gone up -> candidate for heart disease :o( Improving what I eat has been a challenge to maintaining my already lean weight. (Hello people, eating healthy equals weight loss, plain and simple!!!) So, I have resolved to walking more this year and have even started taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 2011 is my year of change!
eat me lots of broccoli
Learning to run 5k!
running up and down the stairs!
Bike to work 50 min each way plus gym workouts on days off. Eat less fat!
I eat healthy and I stay active by running, biking, skiing and climbing. Sorry to hear about your grandma, I hope she is okay!!
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/Sandra516/status/36099219181797376
wasn’t sure if we are supposed to post a link to it for the extra entry, so I am just posting one comment to make sure
I *TRY* to maintain a healthy heart by eating right, walking lots, and work myself through Bikrams.
My hubby and I eat oatmeal or yogurt with fruit like blueberries, etc. & granola for breakfast during the work week. We enjoy long walks along the seawall while sipping low-calorie coffee (my hubby) and herbal tea (me) on weekends! :o)
i cook my own meals so i know what goes into my food and by exercising 3 times a week!
step class and eliptical trainer
First, let me say how sorry I am to hear about your grandmother. I lost my Mom to heart disease 6 years ago, she was 79. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and in hindsight, I can see why they call it the silent killer. Symptoms, especially in women can be so subtle – a sore neck, fatigue, nausea. My Mom was diagnosed with gas, when in fact she had a major cardiac event.
So how did it change my life? No more smoking – that’s number 1, lower the cholesterol, get checked and know your numbers. Eat healthier, low fat, high fibre, cut out the sodium. Excersize – wear a pedometer in needed, and do those 10,000 steps a day. It just might save your life.
Oatmeal junkie!
walk, jog and eat healty, and less time on PC….
staying active with my kids. I am trying to set a good example for them and keep them active.
I quit smoking. 🙂
I have a personal trainer, so she makes sure I keep my heart healthy!
I try to eat healthily and exercise lots! Sorry to read about your Oma.
I bike everyday for at least 30 min. Woot!
i WALK AND BIKE
I exercise 3-4 times a week (yoga and gym), maintain a vegetarian diet and try to integrate raw food into my diet. And… I love snowboarding!!! 🙂
Staying active is important since I sit at a desk all day at work. I try to do bikram yoga, run or attend gym classes as much as possible.
Definitely exercise and lots of salad on the weekdays!
Wishing your Oma well!
We eat lots of vegetables of all different colours, and make a point of introducing our young kids to new fruits and veggies whenever we can.
I dance! Staying active through dancing is something that keeps my heart healthy, not to mention eating heart-friendly foods like veggies. I am particularly careful about staying away from foods with lots of trans fats, because word on the street is that those are the fats that block up your arteries.
I hope your Oma gets better soon!
I used to be badly out of shape and then I started biking everywhere, the daily exercise and fun of being on bike has changed my life!
I exercise and attempt to eat healthy 🙂
less meat and salt in my diet, lots of veggies and fibers!
I try to keep stress to a minimum.
I bike to work (trying to bike every day even throughout the winter).
Zen attitude to avoid stress! and vitamin D for the lack of sun!!
Swimming 3x a week and eating healthy!
I walk to and from work daily as well as walking the dog. I’m trying to get into the gym too but with mixed success.
I take dancefit classes!
I eat good-fat avocados!
Yoga!
I maintain a healthy heart by eating a low fat diet!
Simply by being athletic, and work at being athletic allows me to have a healthy heart!
I play dodgeball and squash to stay active because I hate working out.
I go to the gym 3x per week. Go for 15 min walks during my coffee break at work. Drinking more water 🙂
Eat less salt and don’t indulge in shellfish.
Tomorrow my wife Karalee and I, along with our oldest child Jocelyn (she is now 21 so not really a child any more) and our youngest son Allen, plan to go skiing at Whistler. Skiing is one of the many activities we do as a family to stay healthy.
Exercise on a regular basis … you have to exercise that heart like any other muscle!
I go running and practice yoga!
I have actually increased my physical activity recently – in order to keep my heart healthy!
I jog with my dog!
I am doing the SunRun for the first time in 4 years after injury has put me on the shelf. I am also trying to inspire both my children into healthier lifestyles by assistant coaching my daughter’s softball team and by supporting my son while he out on the ice.
I run, snowboard and ski, burns off stress, makes me feel alive.
I keep my heart healthy by firstly engaging in lots of exercise! Living Vancouver makes being active really easy, and I love going to the gym, running, doing yoga, and trying out other activities like hiking and kayaking. In the winter I also love to snowboard and snowshoe!
We do our best to eat right. I would like to make regular exercise a priority though. And this contest is a good reminder and incentive to. 🙂
All the best to Oma.
I hope your Oma is okay…my thoughts are with you guys.
I try to keep within the healthy guidlines and try to be as active as possible.
Cycle three times a week to work.
Sorry to hear about you grandmother,I hope she feels better soon.We try to walk 2-3 miles daily at the local track and our kids are currently fundraising for jump rope for heart feb 17th.This is a great cause and a fun activity
I avoid fast food like it’s the plague, practice Bikram yoga as if my life depends on it (it does!) and snowboard as my religion. And I laugh – so much so that it’s a cardio workout. 🙂
I avoid fast food like it’s the plague, practice Bikram yoga as if my life depends on it (it does!) and snowboard as my religion. And I laugh – so much so that it’s a cardio workout. 🙂
I maintain a healthy heart by eating in moderation – not too much fatty foods. I also like to walk and transit to places so i get the exercise that we all need!
I try to make it a priority to exercise, especially yoga and cardio. I’m also eating healthy, which currently means no meat, no dairy, no fast food or processed food, no gluten and limited sugar.
I go the VGH Cardiac Program and am monitored to stay healthy and check my heart.
I drink lots of orange juice and eat a lot of salad dressed with just olive oil and lemon juice.
I take the stairs and try to walk everywhere! On top of that, heading to the gym 4 – 5 times a week and getting out for hikes on the wekend it helping keep my heart healthy.
High Fibre!
Exercise….just enough, but not too much 🙂
Running around after my 3 year old ensures that my heart is always kept beating!
Exercise a lot!
I do 5-7 cardio workouts per week, eat a diet low in animal products (meat and dairy at a minimum), and making family time a priority in my busy life.
the mutts keep me active, rain or shine! (red wine too, of course!)
I exercise and eat healthy! 🙂
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
My Nana, who was are matriarch and anchor of my family, passed away two weeks ago today at the age of 89, to more then likely heart failure and possible stroke. Although it was to be expected one day, the moment unexpectedly happened with no warning and no chance to have that one last moment. My thoughts and love is with you and your family today.
I like to do some quadding and snowmobiling when I’m not working and I eat a lot of healthy foods.
Training for a triathlon is my current heart regimen.
To maintain a healthy heart I try to exercise and reduce cholesterol and fatty foods from my diet.
I do hot yoga and drinks lots of water!!!
Exercise! Vancouver is our playground, so I get out and have fun everwhere I can. Ski, hike, bike, walk, run! If Vancity can’t motivate you to get outdoors then nothing can.
I swim and go for walks.
For my family a healthy life style is almost a contest we do yoga, both my daughters play hockey, my husband runs daily, and we have a family gym membership. We prepare healthy meals as a family and discuss the balance of every meal…all food groups;-)
Jogging and running after 2 toddlers!
I plan healthy meals and activities for my wife and family, so we can support each other’s healthy hearts together!
We eat healthy (most of the time!). We also enjoy long walks with our dog, snowboarding and yoga. I work with post operative cardiac patients and see the value DAILY in eating healtrhy, staying active and knowing your family’s medical history and your risk factors.
I ski in the winter season and dance the rest of the year.
I get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way
I live a vegan life style. Health issuses don’t exist.
Power-walking every day, snowboarding, riding my bmx. & eating heaps of veggies!!
Excellent way for all of us to be reminded of how important our health and fitness is! we skied Whistler two weekends ago and what a great workout! and being a woman in her 40’s, I’m even more aware of heart health! Thanks Miss 604!
A glass of red and a Mediteranian diet
I ski all winter!
Eating healthy, snowboarding, bmx’ing and power walks every day!
i like running and skiing 🙂
I exercise, walk whenever I can, limit my meat and dairy intake, and try to include plenty of vegetables and fruit in my diet. I also limit my stress levels – life is too short to worry.
Walking several times a week, and going to the gym at least once…plus i LOVE veggies!
I exercise, avoid smoking and try to eat healthy with vegetables and whole grains.
I would love to have staycation in my own town!
Dneise
I read food labels carefully and pay attention to the amount of sodium, drink a glass of red several times a week, and try to do 3 days of cardio at the gym per week.
exercise and lots of greens for me
Lots and lots of doggy walks on the sea wall!
no mcdonalds! 🙂
I’ve been following your updates on your Oma this past week. My heart goes out to you. I lost my Opa a couple of years ago to a stroke and know very well the emotions you’re feeling. Hope she recovers soon and that you receive good news on your travels in Africa! Hugs!
-As for maintaining my heart, lots of dog walks with Roxidoo and Bikrams yoga helps me keep ‘er pumpin!
I try to get at least 30 mins of physical activity in to every day. And I love to laugh!
I do yoga and have recently started a couple of different dance card fit classes. Plus, the usual trying to stay active( not hard with a little one) and eating well.
I run and ski!
I took a “Heart Smart” cooking class after my father suffered a stroke. I have been cooking using excellent substitution ingredients and loving the flavours and not missing any of the heavy fat laden products. I highly recommend taking advantage of such classes when offered through continuing education at your local schools.
While sipping on a glass of RED WINE (heart-healthy), we decided to CUT OUR STRESS LEVEL (heart-healthy) by moving to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island to be closer to the ocean and fresh air… Miles of beach combing and forest walks… We reduced our mortgage (LESS STRESS!) by purchasing a fix-er-upper (heart-healthy YARD WORK)in the Old City Neighbourhood. Now we grow our own organic health-hearty VEGIES. We love our new heart-healthy lifestyle!
I work out 3-4 times a week. I don’t smoke.
To stay heart healthy I try to exercise several days a week. I hate running, so I dance and do yoga!
Yoga is my current way of keeping a healthy heart, getting rid of all of the day’s stress at the end of it.
4 times a week I do spin class
I make home cooked meals at least 4x a week and schedule lots of play time with my baby.
I eat tons of fruits and veggies and I try to do some daily physical activity.
I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and cook from Heart Smart cookbooks.
I try to incorporate walking as much as I can. It’s easy to make excuses, especially in the winter and rainy season, but strapping on a pedometer can kinda give you motivation!
Overall oral health is now believe to affect your heart ♥ health!
I brush + floss and promote good oral hygiend ☺
Your mouth is the gateway to your body!
Hockey, running, biking and eating healthy
I bike to work and cook for myself.
Eating health and trying new different activities, from spin, dance classes, yoga and positive attitude. Live life to the fullest
hockey hockey hockey
Walk to work and eat balanced meals!
Walk when golfing frequently,eat natural foods , get a good nights sleep
I avoid processed foods and walk as much as I can.
walk everywhere! Be active. Love what you do, be inspired, gives you energy to be more active and adventurous. Travel and eat healthy the majority of the time!
Gym + spinach and other green leafy vegetables + oatmeal for breakfast + good wholesome relationships = happy heart!
I try and make it to the gym 3-4 times a week.
Healthy diet and regular exercise.
I keep fit and have fun! Whistler would be right up that alley.
I eat a healthy diet and go to the gym every week.
I try to eat healthy as much as possible and stay fit.
hi. eating lots of veg.
You gotta run!
I’ve cut out meat from my diet.
I don’t eat meat, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, drink as much water as I can, and try to exercise as often as I can.
Rollerblading around the seawall (gotta love Vancouver- must be one of the only cities left in the world where people still do this!)
How do I take care of my heart? By eating healthy, walking/bussing instead of driving (helps that I don’t have a car to use anymore~!), and laughing everyday with good friends and family 🙂
I can eat meat in moderation rather than dominating my plate.
I exercise and cut out sweets to maintain a healthy heart.
To have a healthy heart I avoid stress and eat small portions.
I love skiing – exercise regularly, eg. skiing at Whistler is ideal to have a fit heart and have fun too.
I do hot yoga everyday and try to consume as many healthy foods as possible throughout the day that are good for my heart as well as the rest of my body.
Lots of sleep,plenty of fruits and vegetables,yoga,and dance class
I eat lots of vegetables.
I always get off the bus at least one stop early and more if I can, I dance and I snowboard!
I make sure to have a healthy diet with all the food groups and no (well minimal) processed crap. Plus I work out!
Lots of yoga for a healthy heart; emotionally and physically.
Most of my commute to work is walking and I play soccer on Mondays.
My in’s and out’s are important to me and my heart:
INdoors: yoga, tai chi, muay thai boxing, moderate weight-lifting, bit of cardio
INside: I aim to ensure everything that goes into my body is as clean, ethically-sourced and environmentally friendly as possible. For my heart especially, I limit my red meat and when I do eat it, it’s from happy, grass-fed cows.
OUTside: I aim to ensure everything that touches my body is clean as well.
OUTdoors: getting fresh air and exercise in the form of hiking and climbing (my favourite) is, in my opinion, the best I can do for my heart!
Combining this with the love I have in my heart, I think, helps me maintain a super healthy heart.
Stop Smoking! Instant benefits.
I try to live a happy life, eat well but still indulge once in a while and try to do something “fit” 4 times a week whether that be dancing, going for a long walk, hot yoga, cross country skiing, grouse grinding, etc. I also try to do something new once a month, for example last month I went mountain tubing! Felt great to laugh and fly down a hill like when I was a kid!
I try to live a happy life, eat well but still indulge once in a while and try to do something “fit” 4 times a week whether that be dancing, going for a long walk, hot yoga, cross country skiing, grouse grinding, etc. I also try to do something new once a month, for example last month I went mountain tubing! Felt great to laugh and fly down a hill like when I was a kid!!
My email address was missing an S in my above comment this one has my correct email. oopsy 🙂
I go to a gym and take Zumba classes!
Power walk in the rain!
I give myself lots of opportunities to walk each day by taking transit.
Quinoa – the superfood!
running, swimming, ice skating, hiking… yay for all the vancouver activities!
God, fam, friends, yoga, laughter keeps my <3 healthy!!
I try to powerwalk after every meal
Not More Than 7 Grams Per 100 Grams of Fat in any food. Heart-Healthy Label Reading Does it for me!
The YMCA downtown! 45 minutes of cardio exercise 4-5 times a week. Even if I watch the Food Network while I’m no the machine…….it doesn’t matter, right?
Walking outside or yoga