Lisa, Mary, Sandy and Nilsa now practice what they preach

Caregivers take on new healthy habits, so they can take better care of patients

Although Lisa Forstburg, R.N., age 39, has been an open-heart nurse for 18 years, her own heart health sometimes took a backseat. She tried to eat healthy, but still hit the fast food drive-throughs. She had a gym membership, but occasionally skipped her workouts.

Now, Forstburg and nine of her co-workers are changing their habits and celebrating new results in just eight weeks. “It’s easy to tell patients they should stop smoking and eat better, but it carries more weight when you do it yourself,” Forstburg says.

They found the will through a heart-healthy program, designed specifically for caregivers. They learned how to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle through stress reduction, exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation, and to give advice to their patients.

Lisa Forstburg, R.N., age 39

Regional Heart Center: Surgical Vascular Unit at LVH-Cedar Crest

Why she took the class: “Heart disease runs in my family, and it’s also important to help change patients’ attitudes toward health after open-heart surgery.”

What she got out of it: “You don’t have to make grand changes all at once.”

Biggest challenge: “I’m so used to being stressed that it’s hard not to be stressed.” She is considering a mindfulness class, which reduces stress by providing group support and teaching communication skills and relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation.

Most painless change: She switched from 1 percent to fat-free milk. Her daughter, Megan, a milk lover, doesn’t even know the difference.

She’s a role model: Forstburg’s daughter now checks food labels and insists her mother purchase fat-free ranch dressing.

Personal promise: “Before, I would make excuses about why I couldn’t exercise. Now, I make it a priority.”

She tells her patients: Make small, gradual changes, like eating a wheat pita instead of bread.

Mary Boyle, R.N., age 51

Cardiovascular Care Unit (CVCU) at LVH—Muhlenberg

Why she took the class: “My father had quadruple heart bypass at age 52. I had high cholesterol, and I’m a smoker.”

What she got out of it: “She’s lost 23 pounds, lowered her cholesterol from 298 to 172 (her LDL – or “bad” cholesterol – went from 207 to 120) through diet and medication, and lowered her triglycerides from 207 to 130.”

Snack she attacked: Break-time French fries

New favorite snack: Salads with fat-free dressing. “Seeing my results is my encouragement.”

Better beverages: Diet iced tea and skim milk

Strength builder: “Push-ups” against a wall help combat muscle weakness, a cholesterol medication side effect

A surprise learning: Several smoking cessation products can safely be used at once

She tells patients: “If you’re trying to quit smoking, don’t go cold turkey. Grab a stress ball, cinnamon stick, etc., instead of a cigarette.”

Biggest supporter: Boyle and colleague Kim Austin kept an eye on each other. “When I couldn’t be in class, Kim took good notes, and I did the same.”

Sandy Carwell, R.N., age 40

Regional Heart Center: Surgical Vascular Unit at LVH-Cedar Crest

Why she took the class: “I needed to lose weight and be healthier.”

What she got out of it: Her clothes fit better and others have noticed her weight loss, and she has more knowledge to help others

Biggest change: She bought a females-only fitness center, right before taking the class. She does cardio workouts five to six times a week, and lifts weight three times a week

Holiday survival plan: “If I ate more, I exercised more.”

Stress buster: Yoga techniques learned in class

Prevention message: Start healthy habits early. Blockages can start developing in your 20s.

Biggest complaint: “My 22-year-old complains there’s no junk food in the house now.” (Mom eats more lean protein and cuts out bad carbohydrates, like chips – her weakness.)

As a gym mentor: She encourages members to get on a program and stay committed.

Stick-to-it tip: “Make gradual changes, measure your results and consult professionals (like a dietitian or exercise physiologist) if needed.”

Nilsa Bonilla, age 39

Technical partner, LVH—Center for Critical Care (ICU) at LVH-

Why she took the class: With her cholesterol at 329, blood pressure at 167/98 and chest pains, she “was ready to change.”

What she got out of it: “My cholesterol is at 228, blood pressure at 140/87, I lost 10 pounds, and I’m far less stressed.”

Where she was headed: On the road to a heart attack

This diet didn’t help: Fried foods, all-day snacking, milk and cookies at bedtime

New and improved diet: Wheat toast and coffee (no sugar) for breakfast, an apple and yogurt for lunch, salad or broiled/roasted meat for dinner. No snacking!

New movement: She walks her dog a mile a day – every day

Her present: Mindfulness meditation taught her to stop worrying about what could happen and to focus on now

As a mother: She’s less anxious and teaches her children healthy habits

As a caregiver: She guides patients through mindfulness techniques to relieve their stress

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