Bike a Major Artery

Grab your bicycle and your helmet to Bike a Major Artery on October 11, 2009 to help save women's lives and reduce the #1 killer of women in the United States. (Nearly 330,000 women died of heart disease in 2005 according to the CDC.)

This family friendly event offers several different ways to participate:

* America's Main Streeter-A rare chance to ride by the U.S. Capitol and White House unimpeded. Children are welcome on this 5-mile ride.
* Heart-of-the-Nation Time Trial: A timed 5-mile race.
* Arena Spinathon- Don't have a bike? Try this unique spinning class on the floor of the Verizon Center.
* BIKE FOR THE HEART Festival: This festival features activities for kids (including the Toddler Trike Race) and circus-style entertainment.

If you can not make it to the event, you can make a donation online to help fund heart screenings, education and empowerment for women.

This event is sponsored by Sister to Sister: The Women's Heart Health Foundation.

It's Time for a Revolution!

The slogan in America for 2008 and 2009 is "Change". We expect change in our political system, change in the health care system, change in our financial situation.

But what about change in our daily lives? What are you doing to change your life and the state of your own health and fitness?

In my opinion, we, as black women, need more than change. We need a revolution! We need an all out, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in the mountains of Cuba revolution. We need an attack-the-community-while-they-are-sleeping-they-know-what-hit-them revolution.

You know what? I take that back. It is not "in my opinion." It is a fact. We need more than change. We need a revolution.

Here are some facts that have not yet changed:
-According to the National Health Interview Survey, 71% of all women are physically inactive. 80.4% of African-American women are physically inactive
-According to the CDC in 2004, 80% of African American Women were obese. Being obese is defined as having a BMI over 30 or being more than 30 pounds over weight.
-African American women are more likely to suffer from heart disease and diabetes than white women.

What is the one thing that can help to correct this trend? A change in lifestyle. Healthy eating and exercise.

Ladies, let's start a revolution! Let's promise today to change the way we think about health and fitness to change the fate of our community and the future that lies ahead for our children.