Ingalls Ushers In Heart Month with Host of Programs

(February, 2010) The Ingalls Wellness Center in Homewood is celebrating National Heart Month with several programs aimed at improving cardiovascular health, including Heart Smart for Women, Take Charge of Your Health and Freedom from Smoking.

Heart Smart for Women

“Heart Smart for Women is a 12-week series that will help you get started and stay active for a lifetime,” explains Ingalls Heart Health Coordinator Barb Ferrari, R.N.

Participants learn simple strategies for fitting in physical activity at home, work and play. Healthy eating tips also are included in each class.

Judy Bungert of Tinley Park boosted her heart-health IQ and drastically lowered her cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride levels thanks to the popular women’s program. Bungert enrolled in Heart Smart for Women last year following a heart procedure to treat blocked arteries.

She and her classmates learned about the importance of combining physical activity and healthier food choices to achieve improved heart health.

“I traded in cookies, candy and ice cream for lots of fresh fruit,” she explains.

Bungert also joined a fitness club and works out daily.

One year later, Bungert’s total cholesterol level has dropped nearly 80 points; her triglycerides are down 60+ points; and her A1C blood-sugar level went from a 12.5 to a 5.5. She also lost 80 pounds.

To register for Heart Smart for Women, which begins at five area locations the week of Feb. 23, call 708.206.1656, ext. 194. Class fee is $10 for the entire 12-week series. The program is made possible through a grant from the Women’s Health Division of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Freedom from Smoking

Quitting smoking provides almost immediate health benefits to smokers, but quitting isn’t easy. Ask any smoker, and they’ll say it’s one of the hardest habits they’ve ever tried to break.

Ex-smoker Annette Hannah of Dolton knows that firsthand. She tried quitting several times before she finally gave up the habit for good nearly 16 months ago.

A graduate of the Ingalls Wellness Center’s Freedom from Smoking program, Hannah said she knew she was ready to quit when she enrolled in the seven-week program in 2008.

“This is it. I’m going to do it,” the 25-year smoker recalls. “Freedom from Smoking reinforced what I had learned in other programs. I remembered the steps. But this time, I was ready to commit. I wanted to quit smoking for good.” In fact, the program so inspired Hannah that she also attended Ingalls’ Heart Smart for Women program in 2009 and plans on taking advantage of future class offerings for women.

Freedom from Smoking, an American Lung Association program, focuses on a variety of issues that smokers face when they are trying to quit, such as weight gain, stress, recovery symptoms, how to handle cravings, avoiding relapse, the importance of exercise and more. Participants receive valuable educational materials and support resources to increase their chances of success.

The eight-week session begins Monday, Feb. 22. The fee is $85 per person for all eight sessions and class materials.

For more information or to register, call 708.206.0072.

Take Charge of Your Health

The Ingalls Wellness Center, in collaboration with White Crane Wellness Center, will present the six-week session Take Charge of Your Health beginning Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ingalls Wellness Center in Homewood.

The interactive program offers individuals with chronic conditions ways to manage their health and well-being with topics like coping with the fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation that may be related to health conditions; exercise to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance; medication use; communicating with family, friends and health professionals; nutrition; and understanding new treatment options.

The program is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging via the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Program fee is $10 for all sessions; participants may attend with a caregiver or family member for $15. For more information or to register, call 708.206.0072.

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