Hi, I'm Diane Hart,
and you have made the first step to a healthier lifestyle by visiting my web page!
I would like to invite you to improve the way you look,
feel, and move, while gaining the special gift of fitness which enables you to get the
most out of each and every day. Do you want straight answers on safe and sane
participation in exercise based on current research in the fitness industry? If you
do, I would love to help you achieve your fitness goals utilizing all the experience,
education, and knowledge I have garnered over the past 20 years in the fitness
profession. Together, we will explore heart rates, hydration, proper footwear,
stretching, and strength training as components of your fitness activities. All of
our locations are clean, comfortable, and convenient--many with hardwood flooring. I
pride myself in giving expert instruction with a Hart to Heart style. Come
and experience my "Hart-warming," interactive classes of fitness, facts, and
fun!
Mission Statement
Hart to Heart Fitness™ is a
privately held franchise of the Jacki Sorensen Aerobic Fitness Programs.
Nationally certified fitness professionals offer aerobic dance and step
aerobic classes together with personal training to men, women, and children of
all ages in the tri-county area (Albany-Schenectady-Troy) of New York
State. Each workout session adheres to the exercise guidelines set forth
by the American College of Sports Medicine and each participant receives the
safest and most effective quality-controlled instruction for increased
cardiovascular fitness and muscle toning available in our industry. Hart to Heart Fitness™
also serves Blue Shield of Northeastern New York members with fitness classes
and wellness seminars such as Diabetes 101, Stress Management, Weight
Management, Know Your Numbers, Cancer Prevention, among others. Fundraising
events for the American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, Town
of Colonie Youth Bureau, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Rensselaer County,
and Girl Scout Association of New York State round out Hart to Heart Fitness
community involvement.
Biography
Diane H. Hart, Nationally Certified
Fitness Professional and Health Specialist, has designed and implemented
fitness and workplace wellness programs in the Capital District for over 20
years. She is accredited through the National Exercise Training
Association, American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on
Exercise, and BeActive America Advocacy and Media Relations Training.
She is a master member of the International Association of Fitness
Professionals; Health Specialist for Blue Shield of Northeastern NY,
HealthNow, and Palladian Health; and member of United States' Notary Public
Association,
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and Broadcast Music,
Inc.
From 2009-Present, she became a Health
Specialist for Blue Shield of Northeastern New York and is a provider for
BlueShield's Wellness Benefit. She also facilitates seminars/workshops on
Diabetes, Stress Management, Know Your Numbers, Weight Management, Cancer
Prevention, and other related health wellness topics for Blue Shield of
Northeastern NY, HealthNow, and Palladian Health.
In July of 2009 in Washington, DC, Diane
participated in the Business and Industry Societal Sector at the formation of
the first National Physical Activity Plan for America, which will provide a
set of policies, practices and initiatives that, when implemented, will create
an environment in which all Americans can meet the physical activity levels
recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
In September of 2009, Diane became a wellness
consultant to the City of Albany, New York and is working with Mayor
Gerald D. Jennings and the Superintendent of Schools to implement a
childhood obesity initiative. She also instructs Senior Wellness Classes
for the City at St. Sophia's Church.
From 2005-2009 Diane was the Director of
Fitness for the Ciccotti Family Recreation Center, a state-of-the-art 69,000
sq. ft. multi-purpose fitness facility and in that position managed and
developed systems and policies that enhanced the overall operation of the
health fitness department and Colonie Youth Center Worksite Wellness
Initiative.
In September 2008, The National Association
for Health and Fitness (NAHF) elected Diane H. Hart to their Board of
Directors as Eastern Regional Director. The Eastern Region comprises
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Delaware. NAHF is a
non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for
individuals in the United States through the promotion of physical fitness,
sports, and healthy lifestyles. NAHF accomplishes this work by fostering
and supporting Governors and State Councils and coalitions that promote and
encourage regular physical activity. NAHF is also the national sponsor
of National Employee Health and Fitness Day, the largest workplace health and
fitness event in North America each May.
In 2000 Diane became a Consultant to the New
York State Department of Health and through NYS Physical Activity Coalition
(now BeActive New York State) received funding to research, develop and
implement a comprehensive wellness program for worksites in New York
State. This program is entitled "Move for Life!" (MFL), which
is a behavioral modification program that contributes to the overall health
and well-being of employers, employees, and their families and is proven to
contain a company's health care costs while increasing physical
activity. Diane has facilitated and implemented MFL at Union College;
Cornell University (New York City); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Capital
District Physician's Health Plan; MVP Health Plan; Schenectady International;
Newkirk Products, Inc.; Barre, Bette & LedDuke; New York Health Plan
Association; Skidmore College; Key Bank; Matthew Bender; NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation; and the City of Albany, among others.
Responsibilities included developing a worksite wellness index questionnaire,
overseeing data collection and analysis of results with each company, and
reporting monthly to the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease
Prevention. As architect of the New York State Department of Health and
Managed Care Plan joint workplace wellness project, Diane facilitated a press
conference with the NYS Commissioner of Health and former NYS Senator Mary Lou
Rath, and as a result of this project, over 17,000 individuals participated in
MFL. Following this success, she developed an MFL Training Program for
interested corporations in the Capital District, which resulted in an
additional 65 companies across New York State participating in MFL.
Diane
is also the media spokesperson for NYS Department of Health on MFL and
physical activity/worksite wellness topics and presented at the American
Public Health Conference in Philadelphia, PA on MFL.
From 1991 to 2008, Diane was a consultant to
the Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, a managed care plan serving
members in New York State. Diane designed and implemented member wellness
workshops to individual members, as well as corporate wellness programs for
employer groups. She authored the CDPHP booklet entitled "Walking for
Fitness." Diane coordinated and implemented all aspects of the
physical activity components of "Family Healthfest," including the
10,000 Step Community Health Walk, fitness demonstrations, health
screenings and securing New York State Senate and Assembly dignitaries to
commemorate the two-day event. Diane was the media spokesperson for
CDPHP on physical activity related topics.
Owner, Hart to Heart Fitness™ since
1981 and responsible for all business activities associated with the operation
of Jacki's Aerobic Fitness Programs Franchise. Authored a Personal
Trainer Manual for training the professional client. Created the concept
and coordinated all activities related to the annual Mother's Day Walk held as
part of the City of Albany Tulip Festival. This event included securing
corporate sponsors and coordinating with the Special Events Department of the
City of Albany. Her energetic and educational classes are
multi-generational and many of her members have participated for over
20 years! Responsible for testing prototype fitness shoes and
preparing written analysis and recommendations to Reebok, Inc.
In 2005 Diane partnered with the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and developed a physical activity
prescription pad for distribution to obstetrician and gynecologist physician
groups in New York State for their patients who presented with hypertension,
hyperlipidemia or high BMI. This prescription pad was designed to direct the
patient to a website where she could join an 8-week walking/physical activity
program to reduce risk factors. Diane was subsequently invited to
present at the Annual Conference of the American Board of Obstetrics and
Gynecology in Saratoga, NY and distributed the prescription pad to attendees.
As Chair of New York State Physical Activity
Coalition Advocacy Committee (now BeActive New York State!), Diane utilized
advocacy, communication, and resource development to collaboratively address
physical activity statewide and at the grassroots level. She recruited
members from the private, public, non-profit, and civic sectors to strengthen
partnerships, promoted more "walkable communities," and implemented
media strategies toward the goal of increased physical activity in New York
State. Key player in the drafting of the Senate and Assembly
legislation: "Physical Activity Promotion Act," recruited Senate and
Assembly sponsors, and successfully lobbied both houses of the Legislature to
enact this Legislation during the 2003 New York State Session.
As an ongoing consultant to St. Peter's
Hospital, Albany, New York, Diane developed various informational and physical
activity workshops and seminars for the "Pair of Hearts" cardiac
risk intervention program. At Albany Medical Center Hospital and Capital
Cardiology Group, she was a consultant for the "LEARN" program
designed to incorporate physical activity, nutrition, and behavior
modification support for patients identified at high risk for cardiovascular
disease.
In her role as a professional motivational
public speaker on physical activity and health promotion, Diane presented at
the American Public Health Association Conference, National Association for
Health and Fitness Annual Meeting in collaboration with American College of
Sports' Medicine Annual Summit, St. Peter's Hospital Conference Series,
"Women's Health in the New Millennium: Albany Medical Center Hospital
Annual Conference on Diabetes"; NYS Annual Economic Summit for Women;
Cornell University (New York City) Staff Training Programs; American Heart
Association Women's Legacy Conference; and Students Against Destructive
Decisions/MADD Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Awards and Distinctions
- Recipient of the 2010 National Association
for Health and Fitness Gold Star Award presented since 1998 and honors
individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional
leadership in the promotion and improvement of physical activity and
sports for Americans of all ages.
- Recipient of the 2005 Silver Eagle National
Leadership Award from the BeActive America! Board of Directors,
Washington, DC. Diane was the second individual to receive this
prestigious honor in the United States. This award was created in
memory of C. Carson Conrad, who served five United States Presidents
as Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
This award recognizes Diane's lifelong commitment to physical fitness and
health promotion.
- 2005 - American Heart Association
Whittingham Award for outstanding volunteerism.
- 1999-2008 - American Heart Association
Team Captain Award for highest contributions collected for the American
Heart Association Annual Walk.
- 2001 Joseph W. Collen Award (NYS Department
of Health) for outstanding contributions to chronic disease prevention and
control.
Diane has been married to Daniel Hart for 39
years and they have a daughter, Stacey, who resides in Boston,
Massachusetts. Diane adores the New York City Ballet and enjoys interior
decorating.
