By Jan Calland
Spring 2008
You recently received a copy of the DASH eating plan, along with a booklet entitled A Healthy Weight for Life. I want to share with you a story about a coworker of mine who put into action many of the behavior changes we encouraged through that mailing. In other words, this is how Roberta H. lost 56 pounds, gained control over her blood pressure, and feels great!
Time for a change
Roberta is a registered nurse case manager and has worked with BCBSNC since 2000. She had heard of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan and knew a friend who had tried it out and recommended it.
“I was very interested in this program because there is diabetes and hyper tension on both sides of my family,” Roberta says. “I don’t have diabetes, but my blood pressure was bordering on high.” Through her physician, Roberta was referred to a local hospital’s study of the effects of the DASH eating plan and exercise. “I entered into this with a very positive attitude, knowing that I needed to do something about my blood pressure to avoid taking medication for the rest of my life,” she says.
The program started in January 2007 and continued through May 2007. Portion control and sodium restriction were the main focuses, in addition to exercise. “We exercised for 60 minutes, three times a week, and were encouraged to add two more periods of exercise during the week,” Roberta says. “It was very hard work.”
