Montauk Pioneer - February 13, 2009

February is National Heart Month. The heart is a major organ in our bodies that should have more attention paid to it. It can keep you running for many years or it can kick you down in seconds. It all depends on how you take care of it. My father had his first heart attack when he was 38 years old. I was 8 and it was very scary for me. I had to go get help and although I wasn't quite sure what was happening, I knew it was life or death. His first attack damaged fifteen percent of his heart. Ten years later he had his second heart attack which brought the damage up to forty five percent and forty percent is fatal. The second attack is what killed him and he was only 48 years old.

Last summer my body was starting to give me warnings that I was not in good health. I was tired, stressed and all of this was taking a toll on my heart. I was 42 years old and all I could think of was that I didn't want to die in six years like my father. So last September I decided to get my act together. I got a personal trainer, Bob, and started working on changing my health for the rest of my life. In the past five months my heart has improved significantly. When I first started my fitness plan, a simple walk up the stairs elevated my heart rate like I had been running. I was short of breath and felt lousy. This was not good.

When I first went on the treadmill, I'd stay on level 1.0 and in order to stay within my range of 115 beats per minute and I would just casually walk. Now I'm on a level of 3.5 with an incline of 3.0 and I can breath and carry on a conversation with no problem. It has only been five months but what a change. I have more energy, I don't feel short of breath and I don't feel sluggish. I also feel more alert and actually sleep better. Most people think it will take a year or two to get their heart healthy again and that's not true. If you start today, you can add years to your life no matter what your age is.

If you want to improve your heart health and overall fitness, you can start today and enter the "Flab to Fab" contest at the Ship Shape Fitness Center at Gurney's Inn. It's open to new and current spa members. Your original weight and body fat will be recorded for a starting point and then each week you must weigh in. Every six weeks you'll have to check in to have your body fat recorded as well. Whoever loses the most weight and body fat by June wins a week vacation at a RCI Resort of your choice in Florida, South Carolina, Colorado, Arizona or California.

In addition to the Flab to Fab contest, Fitness Director Candice Monte and Executive Chef, Chip Monte, are offering Spa Cuisine Cooking Classes to coincide with your weight loss program. These classes are hands on learning of how to make healthy food that is delicious, fun and easy. You'll work closely with Executive Chef Chip Monte who will take you through the entire process from meal preparation to cooking tips that will spice up your weeknight dinners and make your celebrations even more special.

After class you can share your tasty creations and ideas with your new friends. The first class is on February 23 at 7 pm in the Sea Grille at Gurney's Inn. You can call the Spa Reception desk to reserve your spot at 631-668-2345.