Go Red For Women

Fitness Challenge for a Healthy Heart

Sep 20, 2008 Helen Smeaton

The international Go Red campaign is a movement aimed at eliminating cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women via focus on heart health and awareness of CVD risk factors.

Women with energy and passion are true ambassadors of the campaign and none more so than thirteen intrepid ladies who arrived in Cyprus on September 10th 2008 to participate in Aphrodite’s Challenge.

A four day fitness challenge awaited that would test both their physical and mental abilities as well as reinforce the key messages of the Go Red for Women heart disease campaign.

Fitness Challenge on Aphrodite’s Island

Some people run marathons as a major test of physical ability. Others participate in triathlons to challenge all aspects of the human body and mind. Most people, however, only have time for moderate levels of fitness activity. A challenge that includes a 20km hike, a 40km mountain bike ride, four hours of watersports including kayaking and coasteering and a mammoth treasure hunt covering 15 square kilometers will therefore push most individuals to the limit.

It takes a special kind of person to rise to the challenge and step out of the comfort zone; these thirteen women did just that as they pushed their pulse rates and willpower to the maximum whilst spreading the word about maintaining a healthy heart.

Exhausted after the day's activities, the women then had enough energy left in reserve to paint the town red, so to speak, as they donned their red dresses (the symbol of the Go Red for Women campaign).

Key Messages

Throughout the challenge, the women were presented with heart disease messages, some hidden under Aphrodite’s rocks painted with red hearts. The more they discovered, the more they learned and the fitter they got. Aphrodite, incidentally, is the mythical goddess of love who came ashore on Cyprus and gave her name to the island of love.

Heart disease is the highest killer of women, beating HIV, cancer, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
Be aware of the main risks by checking fat/body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and blood pressure regularly.

Take action to keep the heart healthy:

through exercise
by drinking lots of water
eating a healthy diet with high levels of fruit, vegetables and whole grains
stopping smoking and excessive intake of alcohol
reducing salt intake which can give high blood pressure

Organising a Sports Challenge

The trip was run by Mountain High based in Dubai and organised in Cyprus by Wheelie Cyprus, a local mountain bike, hiking and multi activity sports specialist.

Set amidst the beautiful, unspoilt backdrop of the Akamas peninsula, the Go Red women were able to enjoy the most authentic local Cypriot cuisine and experience the best of the outdoors that Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean has to offer, and look after their hearts at the same time.

Get Challenged

Interested in looking after your heart too? Take a sporting challenge, wear something red, get out of the comfort zone and help to combat heart disease in your country.

The copyright of the article Go Red For Women in Fitness is owned by Helen Smeaton. Permission to republish Go Red For Women in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.