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These women are wearing red to support awareness for heart disease.

"Heart disease has always been thought of as a man's disease. Since 1984, more women have died from heart disease than men," said Diane Whitten.

"We've had brothers that have had bypass, died of heart attacks," said Linda LaQue. "It's very important to stay on this path."

The path is this program: Strong Women, Healthy Heart.

Diane Whitten is a Nutrition Educator who meets weekly with women over 40 who are who are trying to reduce their risk of heart disease. Genetics and age are risk factors we can't control. She teaches women to change things they can.

Whitten said, "Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, a diet high in sodium that causes high blood pressure, a diet high in fat, clogs the arteries can cause heart disease."

She offers nutrition tips like reducing salt and saturated fat and increasing calcium and potassium and talks about exercise.

Whitten said, "The recommendation for physical active is to get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity most days a week."

During class, they also exercise. Part of the draw to this program is its casualness. No fancy gym clothes needed, most women come right from work. Exercising in a group enhances accountability,

Linda LaQue joins her two sisters.

She said, "I enjoy it because it's a group of women that are like me, not worrying about going to a gym where everybody is a size two, and it's comfortable, and it's low impact."

And the goal is is once they program does starts that the women continue with their exercise and diet.

LaQue said, "I want to stay on the right path. I just bought a tape today to bring to my sister's house so we can fill in there when we are not doing here, and I've lost five pounds."