Jenny Craig Brand Ambassador Valerie Bertinelli was proud to kick off the American Heart Association’s Wall Street Run & Heart Walk on behalf of “Team Jenny,” in New York City on Thursday, May 31. The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premiere event that brings communities together to raise funds and celebrate progress in the fight against this country’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, heart diseases and stroke. Jenny Craig is a proud National Sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and is supporting more than 350 walks across the United States in 2012.
“Hot in Cleveland” star Bertinelli, who lost 40 pounds* on Jenny Craig in December 2007 and slipped into that famous blue bikini, recognizes the importance of being in good heart health, and owes her mother’s life to Jenny Craig. Back in October, 2008, Bertinelli’s mother Nancy required emergency heart valve replacement surgery. Afterwards, the cardiologist pulled Valerie and her brother Patrick aside and told them that if their mom hadn’t previously lost weight, she wouldn’t have survived. Nancy lost 54 pounds* on Jenny Craig after seeing her daughter Valerie’s success on the program, and got a whole new lease on life.
“I’m honored to be here today, and am thrilled to be kicking off the New York City Heart Walk with Jenny Craig,” said Bertinelli. “Losing weight isn’t just about getting into your favorite clothes, it’s about being healthy and lowering your risk for weight-related diseases, so you can live a longer and happier life for yourself and for your family,” said Bertinelli. There is evidence that shows losing 5-10% of your body weight reduces your risk for cardiovascular diseases through improvements in blood cholesterol levels.
In support of the American Heart Association’s healthy-living initiative My Heart. My Life™, Jenny Craig launched My Heart. My Life.™ My Jenny, which focuses on educating the public regarding the significant health risks associated with weight-related diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Through marketing campaigns, PSAs, community programs, education and online activations, the brand is encouraging the public to eat better, move more and live a healthier life.
“Recent studies show that 42% of the country will be obese by 2030,” said Dana Fiser, Global CEO of Jenny Craig. “This statistic is simply unacceptable, and that’s why Jenny Craig is more committed than ever to helping people lose weight and get healthy so that we can turn those numbers around. As a proud National Sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, we’re leading the charge to show people that just 30 minutes of activity a day can make a huge difference.”
So I walked! I walked for my heart, for my health, for my son. I want to live long enough to become and enjoy grandparenthood, that is one of my life’s goal. You have seen the pictures, I do exercise, but a major food adjustment is coming. And this 3 mile walk with Valerie Bertinelli (OK, she did race ahead of me, but there’s always next year!) was a great addition to my regimen.
It was invigorating to walk through the financial district where I used to work and where my spouse currently works. It is one of NY’s many treasures that people barely get to enjoy. Even though we were race walking (I use that term loosely!), we did enjoy the different architectural scenes of downtown NYC! Thank-you to the American Heart Association for this annual event, and thank-you to Jenny Craig for sponsoring my involvement, and thank-you Jenny Craig for the snacks to enjoy along the way!
Disclosure: Jenny Craig sponsored my entry for the walk and will be providing me with a month’s worth of food to jump start my own food plan!
How cool is that! Ms. Bertinelli is so cute!
It’s good to see you had such a positive experience with Valerie Bertinelli. Especially after that fiasco with The View! LOL! Have yourself a great day sweetie!!! 🙂 Meg (just a reader and a fan!)
Great to spend some QY with you Mitchy!
Great fundraiser and you are SO LUCKY to mingle with some super celebrities!