October 7, 2008

M E M O R A N D U M

Did you know that heart disease is the single greatest cause of death for both men and women and heart and cardiovascular health is the largest health challenge currently facing Virginians? In fact, nearly 20,000 Virginians die every year due to cardiovascular disease, more than cancer, AIDS/HIV and accidents combined.

However, we can change that. By taking simple steps toward healthier living - losing weight, increased physical fitness and proper dieting - Virginians can significantly mitigate their risk of contracting heart disease. By leading a healthy life and losing weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet you can reduce your risk for heart disease by as much as 82 percent.

That is why I recently announced the Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge: “Your Heart is in Your Hands" initiative. The Challenge is a heart and cardiovascular health campaign sponsored by the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association designed to promote heart health education, healthier living, increased physical activity and improved diet and nutrition.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge is an incentive-based physical fitness and nutrition program where Virginians set individual, attainable goals fitness and nutrition goals, earn points for completing daily activities, track their progress on a personal Web page and receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal for achieving their goal.

All it takes is 30 minutes of physical activity every day or several days each week. For example, you earn 4 points for walking, 5 points for gardening and 6 points for pushing the lawnmower.

I encourage all Virginians to visit our interactive, personalized Web site to learn more about the program, set their individual physical activity and nutritional goals and track their progress online.

To show my commitment to healthier living, I have made a personal goal to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year.

Additionally, I’m proud to partner with leading heart health and health care organizations to promote The Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge, including the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, Bon Secours, YMCA of Virginia, The Alliance for Healthy Virginians, School Nutrition Association of Virginia, VCU Medical Center and AstraZeneca.

I hope all state employees will accept The Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge and join my efforts to live healthier, lose weight, exercise more and eat better. Together, we can significant steps to improve heart health and hopefully save lives.

Click here to accept The Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge, create your personalized Web page, view point values for different foods and activities and track your progress.

Click here for additional information on The Lieutenant Governor's Challenge.

Click here for press release on The Lieutenant Governor's Challenge.