How to stay healthy with your busy lifestyle

McHenry County Department of Health is offering a 12-week interactive program for women, detailing practical ways to fit physical activity into your everyday life, while making heart-healthy and tasty food choices to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Classes will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22-Dec. 15 at Woodstock Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room B, 820 Lake Avenue. Preregister at (815) 338-4363.

"Heart Smart for Women" is an interactive, individualized program tailored to your needs. It is designed to empower women - step by step - to achieve a healthy lifestyle through goal setting, strength training, stress management and healthy eating tips. Lila Keller, RN, health educator, will teach participants to assess heart health risks, break down barriers, find support and overcome lapsing and relapsing behaviors.

Studies show one in three adult women have some form of heart disease, the leading cause of death for women. You can lower your risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent just by living a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity has many benefits - weight loss, lowered blood pressure, diabetes control, improved mental health and strengthened bones.

This program is made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Women's Health Division. For information, call Keller at (815) 334-4580 or visit the Department of Health at www.mcdh.info.