To join the "District 29 Weight Loss Campaign"

fill out a registration card at the participating fitness center locations.

***Participants must be residents of District 29 to win Grand Prizes!

S.E. Mackey Center                   The Weight Room Fitness Gym

6534 Ford Street                         3556 Monterrey Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA 70811            Baton Rouge, LA 70814

(225) 354-0808                             (225) 810-7256

                                                         (225) 810-1350

RECIPE FOR A HEALTHY HEART

PREPARATION TIME: Depends on you
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate

INGREDIENTS:
1 ounce of prevention
1 or more motivated individuals
-lbs of healthy weight (remove large amounts of fat)
-well balanced nutrition
4-6 servings of exercise/week
-blood pressure management
-less than 200mg cholesterol/day
-controlled blood sugar (glucose), if diabetic
-a pinch of stress management
-moderate alcohol consumption (0 optional)
-0 tobacco (for best results)

DHH Secretary Recognizes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Alan Levine, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, reminds citizens to get tested for HIV. Levine said DHH's Office of Public Health is using a $1.4 million grant to increase HIV testing among African Americans.

"We received this grant last October. It is being used to expand testing in clinics which treat sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis," he said. "Today, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, is an important day to call attention to, as well as urge citizens to get tested and know their HIV status"

 Events are planned statewide for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, as well as for the entire month of February.  These events are aimed at getting stakeholders involved in HIV prevention education programs, testing, community forums and other activities to raise awareness and support among African Americans.  Similar events will also be taking place throughout the country.

 For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, as well as a listing of events scheduled throughout Louisiana, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/news.asp?Detail=1325.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Motivated to prevent heart disease? To prepare for a healthy heart, check with your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Your PCM can determine if you have risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors include: family history of heart disease, age (men>45, women>55), tobacco use, overweight/obese, inactive, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol. Some risk factors such as family history cannot be changed, but many others such as tobacco use, overweight/obese and high cholesterol can.

2. Your PCM can help you set goals for reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. Your PCM may refer you to see a dietician or attend a nutrition class. General recommendations for nutrition based on the Food Guide Pyramid include: 6-11servings of starch (whole grain bread, rice, cereal, potatoes), 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of low fat dairy and 2-3 servings of protein (meat, eggs, nuts, beans).

3. Nutrition and exercise are a great combination when trying to maintain a healthy weight and reduce heart disease risk factors. Strive to exercise 4-6 days a week for at least 30 minutes. Even 10 minutes three times a day has proven to help. Remember to start where you are! Walking is generally an exercise most people can do; it costs nothing and can be done anywhere. It's also important to do exercise that you enjoy!

4. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes (high blood sugar) your PCM may also prescribe medication in conjunction with a nutrition and exercise regimen. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90. Cholesterol can often be lowered by a low fat/low cholesterol diet: 30-35% of total daily calories from fat (less than 7% from saturated fat) and less than 200mg cholesterol daily.

5. Stress, anger and pessimism have been noted to have a relationship with heart disease. Healthy ways to reduce stress include: exercise, supportive relationships, adequate sleep, relaxation techniques (i.e., deep breathing) and regular, well-balanced meals.

6. Finally, for best "recipe" results limit alcohol intake to 1 drink a day and don't use tobacco, which constricts and damages blood vessels.