National Women's Health Week: May 11-17, 2008

Although the National Women's Health Week is already in its eighth year, I had some trouble coming up with events, women's health week resources and the like to provide to you, my readers. It's a shame that more emphasis is not being put on this week, especially with the kick off day being Mother's Day! So, below is what I have come up with. If you have any good resources, please email them to :info@pathwayswellnessprogram.com.

Women's Passport to Health: Go to the healthywomen.org web site and order your very cute very free "Passport" that keeps track of screening ranges, schedules and also contains record keeping tools. Get the passport!

GOOD Free Stuff from healthywomen.org: Go to this online page to find a lot of free health offers such as a child safety kit or samples from Dove, Aveeno, Always or Yogi Tea. Gotta love good free stuff: go get it!

The WOMAN Challenge: "Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation" Start or continue your exercise routine along a "virtual route" across America. Free registration allows you to use online tools to track your progress. This would be a great activity for kids, girls and boys, to get active before summer hits! Go to their web site to sign up

National Women's Check-up day Pledge: This program is also offered through womenshealth.gov. When you make the pledge you can download a "check up checklist", track community progress, send an e-card to your friends or find a health center for you or someone you know that needs help. Take the Pledge!

The Results are in!

The first quarter of The Pittsburgh Pound Down is complete and we have tabulated the results. We had some really enthusiastic people give us some feedback and here are the amazing results from the first quarter of 2008:

Weight Loss
•72% have noticed a change in weight
•Participants who lost weight averaged 6.96 lbs lost in the first 8 weeks of the program
•66% reported their clothes are fitting looser

Nutrition
•89% report they have decreased their portion size
•83% report they have decreased snacking in between meals
•100% have decreased the amount of "fake foods" consumed
•88.9% have decreased their intake of trans-fat-hydrogenated oils

Stress Management
•77.8% of participants have incorporated the program's stress management techniques
•Exercise: 35,608,299 Steps taken in the first 8 weeks. The schools are winning the competition!
• 88.9% of participants are fitting in short bursts of exercise throughout the day

Wellness Results
• 94% report an increased energy level throughout the day.
• 100% report they expect to continue to use this lifestyle approach
• 63% of participants with children at home report their children have also had success with the program

Testimonials
"I feel better just from eating healthier and knowing that the food I'm eating isn't tainted by chemicals."

"I'm enjoying the program and learning about healthier eating habits. Although there hasn't been a drastic change in my weight, I'm making gradual changes that will make me healthier in the long run."

"I like the flexibility to complete assignments at your own pace online and that there isn't a strict deadline to do so."

If you want to get your company involved call Erin Hart: 412/563-7807 or email her: ehart@american-healthcare.net