It's Turkey Time - The Healthy Edge - November 2011

By: Shallin Squire    

    Our magazine staff has talked for years about including more recipes in the Healthy Edge, but we always run into the challenge of defining the word "healthy." We have always acknowledged that--depending on dozens of factors, such as age, diseases, beliefs, availability of ingredients, and personal preferences-- a "healthy" recipe for one might be on another's "do not touch" list. Furthermore, as we searched for so-called healthy recipes online, we discovered that the definition is even broader than we previously thought!

    We didn't want to give up, though, so we decided to take advantage of our own differing opinions and preferences and, as a staff, share with you some of our tried-and-truly-tasty recipes. Whether we've modified them to suit our needs or kept them exactly the way they've been passed down for generations, these are our favorite healthy recipes.

    "Favorite" recipes are easily defined. These are the dishes we take the time, effort, and expense to prepare and haul to the in-laws' every other year because dinner wouldn't be the same without them! These are the dishes we prepare with careful attention and sprinkle with love.

    We wish our readers happy, healthy, memorable, and delicious holidays, from our families to yours.

 
 

Grandma Bonnie's Holiday Salad

Submitted by Shallin Squire

1 head lettuce OR 6 cups pre-shredded lettuce

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup chopped green pepper

1 package frozen petite peas

1 bunch green onions, finely chopped

½ pound turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 cups Miracle Whip Light

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (use reduced-fat if you'd like)

 

If needed, chop lettuce into bite-size pieces. Layer ingredients in order given. "Frost" with Miracle Whip Light. Cover with grated cheese. Cover salad and refrigerate overnight.

My friend Becky brought me her family's version of this salad after I had my third baby. Not only was I thrilled to realize I didn't have to wait until Thanksgiving to eat it, but it was completely different from, yet equally delicious to, my long-time favorite of my grandmother's! For Becky's version, add a dozen boiled eggs, chopped, and use Swiss cheese and Best Foods Light Mayonnaise in place of cheddar and Miracle Whip. Better yet, make it both ways (thereby avoiding the salad dressing vs. mayo argument!) and let your guests decide which they prefer.

 

 

 

Part Wheat Bread

Submitted by Shallin Squire

I have learned that some health gurus of our time condemn wheat in any form, but I still believe whole wheat is good for our bodies, and I don't know that I could avoid it entirely even if I thought it was bad for my body. For me, the holidays wouldn't be the same without homemade bread in some form, and this recipe—made with honey instead of sugar—melts in your mouth like candy. I got this recipe from my cousin, Sherry Hunting, who lives in Vernal.

 

1 cup hot water

1 Tbsp. rapid-rise yeast

1/3 cup oil (whichever you consider healthiest; I use coconut oil)

1/3 cup honey

½ Tbsp. salt

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour OR 1 cup whole wheat, ground

1 ½ cups white flour

 

Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes, or until bubbly. Add remaining ingredients and knead until springy and smooth. Form into loaf and place in pan. Let rise until double in size. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes. This recipe also works great in a bread machine. Follow the manufacturer's directions to know in what order to put ingredients into the pan, and use the whole-wheat, 1.5-pound-loaf setting.

 

 

 

EASY Protein Noodle Lasagna

Submitted by Angela Hanberg

1 pound Italian sausage
¾ pound grass fed ground beef
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar no sugar added marinara sauce
16 oz. ricotta cheese
1 egg
½ tsp Celtic sea salt
¾ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ Cup Parmesan cheese
Thinly sliced nitrate free deli Chicken Breast

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in marinara sauce.

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, and 1/2 tsp salt. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange chicken breast slices over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

 

 

Steak or Chicken Pizziaola

Submitted by M Michelle Spencer

100g steak (or chicken)

tomato (diced)

2-3 cloves minced garlic

1 t oregano

1 t basil

1/4 t chili powder

black pepper

 

Preheat oven to 350.

 

Place 1/2 of the diced tomato in casserole dish. Add meat on top of tomato and top with minced garlic. In small bowl, toss the rest of tomato with the oregano, basil, chili powder, and black pepper. Place on top of steak. Cover tightly with aluminum foil or with lid.

Bake 45-60 mins.

TIP: If using chicken, sear each side for a minute or two in a frying pan with a dash of salt/pepper (until just browned). Then follow with same steps as above.

 

I personally enjoy using the herb and garlic version of Mrs. Dash's seasoning. I can also enlarge this to easily feed my entire family seeing as it has a bit of an Italian flavor to it. I like to serve it with the yummy flatbread crackers that Nabisco makes because the left over tomato can be scooped up and eaten like bruschetta.

 

 

 

For additional healthy holiday dinner ideas, visit some of the websites we use to collect recipes. You will find useful information and recipes that emphasize a variety of health needs and preferences, from low sodium to low sugar to vegan and more!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/RecipeIndex

OR check out

http://mariahealth.blogspot.com

 

Most of all, we here at The Edge just want you to realize that there are many ways to be healthy and that it is up to you to figure out what works best for your family and your personal needs. We hope you have an amazing holiday and hope you look forward to making small changes in your life that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.

 
 

Just Your Average Jane - The Healthy Edge - October 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    Less than one year ago, Jennifer Lee of Vernal was a self-proclaimed "miserable person." Jen's dissatisfaction with herself affected every aspect of her life and damaged her relationships to the point that even her marriage was in jeopardy. One day in November of 2010, Jen sat at her computer, feeling sorry for herself, secretly hoping to find something to pull her up out of her slump. She had immersed herself in one of her favorite inspirational blogs for women when she spotted something new: a link calling for 15 females to participate in a brand new program called Mom Fitness Makeover, a product of www.howdoesshedoitmom.com.     

    "It really was a fluke," Jen said. "I stumbled across the link and signed up."

    The first requirement of the Mom Fitness Makeover was to submit "before" photos. Jen said, "When I saw the photos, I almost quit before I had started. The person in the photos seemed like a stranger. I had been ignoring certain aspects of my body when I looked in the mirror, but it was impossible to overlook those things in the photos. I took a truthful look at myself, and it was intimidating, even scary."

    However, Jen concluded that her seemingly legitimate excuses for not loving her body--such as being over 40, having thyroid disease, and having borne children in her late 30s--weren't going to cut it anymore. "I threw away all my excuses and started," Jen stated. "I told myself I could and would finish the 8-week challenge."

    Although Jen had crossed some difficult hurdles already, she continued to struggle for several weeks. She said, "I am an emotional eater. Food is my go to for everything. When I didn't have my comfort foods, I had to deal with my emotions on a whole different level. I literally cried through the first 3 weeks!"

    Jen persisted through the challenge and discovered her inner strength. "I saw my body change as a result of my choices, and that carried over into the rest of my life. I felt a sense of power, and everything became possible."

    It didn't take long for Jen to realize that Mom Fitness Makeover, at least for her, was not about losing weight or looking a certain way but rather keeping commitments to herself. When the 8 weeks had passed, Jen modified the program to better fit her personally and simultaneously renewed her resolve to improve her health and happiness. "I realized I was not striving for an end result," she said. "I learned to enjoy the struggle every day. I have immersed myself in whatever comes my way, good or bad, and I've learned so much about myself."

    As Jen became acquainted with her true self, she discovered new strengths and talents. Journaling became the tool she used to replace overeating when she experienced strong emotions. As she told her story as a guest blogger www.howdoesshedoitmom.com, Jen realized her struggles and successes could benefit a lot of other women. She began brainstorming and worked for many months to put together her own, newly-launched blog: www.justyouraveragejane.com.

    Jen developed a knack for creating healthy dishes and will soon publish her own cookbook. "It will have some original recipes and some that I've modified, but they'll all involve whole foods, good fat, veggies, and protein. Every recipe is budget-, time- , kid- and husband-friendly!"

    Finally comfortable in her own skin, Jen visited Montreal in May to take part in a Mom Fitness Makeover Weekend of Inspiration; meet her mentor and friend Carrie Campbell, creator of Mom Fitness Makeover; and participate in a photo shoot. She graciously agreed to share two of those photos with The Edge.

    By sharing her story, Jen hopes to spread the message that a person doesn't need to have a lot of time or money to be healthy. She elaborated on that concept in one of her recent blog posts: "One of the biggest excuses I hear from people when they're not eating healthy is that… whole food takes too much time to prepare and is too expensive and there are never any coupons for 'that kind of stuff.'…Well it's a definite fact that processed foods are quick, easy and cheap. I don't know about you, but that's not something I would like to be called; it's certainly no compliment!"

    Jen has also challenged, and wants other women to challenge, the thinking that putting herself last is what makes a woman a good wife, mother, and/or friend. For example, Jen acknowledges that the time she spends working out at the gym isn't spent with her family, but she also knows it builds her confidence, energy and enthusiasm and helps her to be a better wife and mother when she is at home. She said, "It's okay to take time for yourself. In fact, it's good for you! It helps you create the kind of environment where you and those you love can grow. You have to remove the guilt and find balance in your life."     

    You can learn more from Jen by visiting her blog at www.justyouraveragejane.com. To give you a taste (pun intended!) of what her blog is like, we've included one of her recipes below. Make sure you check out Jen's book and discover her inspiring recipes!

Zucchini Protein Bread

 

¨ 1 egg + 4 egg whites

¨ 1/2 cup Splenda or Xylitol

¨ 3 TB Ground Flaxseed

¨ 1 ripe mashed banana

¨ 2 cups grated zucchini

¨ 2 cups oat flour or ground oats

¨ 2 scoops vanilla whey protein

¨ 3 tsp. cinnamon

¨ 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

¨ 1/2 tsp. cloves

¨ 1 tsp. baking soda

¨ 1/4 tsp. baking powder

¨ 2 tsp. vanilla

Blend all the ingredients together in a bowl and then bake for approximately 40-45 min at 350 degrees.

 
 

 

 
 

Addiction - The Healthy Edge - August 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    "My name is 'Bill', and I'm an alcoholic," my good friend stated at the beginning of our interview. Although I've known "Bill" for several years, I just recently learned that he is a recovering alcoholic, so such an introduction to this aspect of his life was appropriate.

    Most of us recognize immediately from his introduction that Bill is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Having been alcohol free for 27 years, and carrying an AA coin in his pocket to celebrate that accomplishment, Bill agreed to share his story in accordance with AA recommendations, remaining anonymous while at the same time sharing his experience freely with the "sole objective…to help the still-suffering alcoholic" (see www.aa.org). Having successfully adapted the AA program in order to quit smoking about 18 years ago, Bill also expressed his hope that learning of his experience will help readers who are suffering from all types of addiction.

    Bill began playing around with alcohol when he was 17 years old. He graduated from both high school and college, but his drinking continued. He began a well-respected career as a high school English teacher, but what his students and colleagues didn't know was that outside the classroom, Bill was becoming more and more dependent on alcohol and it was beginning to lead to a feeling of hopelessness.

    Bill married at the age of 28 but found that his drinking was not a secret he could keep. He said, "I tried to hide my drinking problem from my wife, but I couldn't. I lacked confidence and had strong, inexplicable feelings of pain and inadequacy. I remember thinking, 'I didn't know why I am such a loser. I don't want to be a loser. I want to be successful.'"

    In an attempt to feel less like a loser, and more like a successful human being, Bill opted for a major career change. He took a job in management with a national and international insurance corporation. He wore a nice suit to work and never missed a full day due to his somewhat-hidden drinking problem, yet Bill felt "more lack of control as time went on."

Although the actual split didn't happen for about another decade, Bill defines this point as when his marriage failed. He felt hopeless. His spouse would express her unhappiness and criticism, and eventually, as Bill explained, she became "codependent on [his] drinking, although she remained a non-problem drinker." Bill went on to explain, "I was getting mixed signals. My wife would get mad at me for drinking, but then she'd feel sorry and buy me booze as her way of apologizing."

    When Bill divorced and was awarded only partial custody of his then-10-year-old son, Bill realized he was at the end of his rope. He stated, "I was willing to look at any option to get over my pain and suffering. Something had to be done. In this state of mind, I started using illegal drugs. I was in my forties! I contemplated suicide."

    On New Year's Eve that year, Bill held a party. "It was a major party," he explained, "There was lots of booze, a little cocaine, and some other things. However, I had the party all by myself. I felt so inadequate at this point, and I didn't trust anyone, so I partied alone."

    Bill awoke sometime on New Year's Day in 1984 and realized he could no longer continue on the path he was on. "I concluded that suicide was probably not the answer," he said solemnly. It was then that Bill acknowledged that he needed help. He said, "I got down on my knees and asked God to pull me out of this mess. I told him I couldn't go on. I surrendered. You don't win until you surrender."

    Bill grasped one last strand of hope by calling a man he'd met at a drinking party a few months previous to that day. Bill had noticed and spoken with the man because the man didn't drink. His new friend picked Bill up and took him to an AA meeting in a substance abuse treatment center.

    Bill described his first AA meeting: "I was still drunk even though I hadn't had a thing to drink since early that morning. I still felt hopeless. I saw people who were good looking people. They laughed and shook hands with each other. They weren't lonely and scared like I was. Before long, though, they convinced me that I wasn't a bad dude. I was a sick puppy. I could accept that."

    Bill's AA friends challenged Bill to attend 90 meetings in 90 days, but that seemed overwhelming to him, so he promised to attend 30 in 30 days. Ultimately, though, Bill attended more than he was originally challenged, and he estimates that he attended 300-400 meetings that first year.

AA helped Bill discover that although he was powerless over alcohol, he wasn't powerless in other areas of his life. "I still controlled my destiny," he said. Still functioning in his career and society, Bill read any literature on recovery he could get his hands on, and he went to what little counseling he could afford at his own expense. He talked to every person he could find who mentioned AA.

    "However," he explained, "success didn't come overnight. Those first 18 months were the most painful time I've ever gone through. After all, my pain killer was gone! Before that, whenever I felt pain I could drown it with alcohol or drugs. Now I had to deal with the pain. But, I knew I walked with a partner from beginning to end, and I believed that partner could help me if I would allow Him. That partner was God."

    Bill says he is more of a spiritual person than a religious one, but AA encourages its members to reach out to God as each understands Him, and Bill became more religious through his experiences in becoming sober. In fact, he attributes his success, and even his continued existence, to God, particularly on one especially difficult and unforgettable day.

    After about a year without alcohol, Bill said his career was getting to him, and the pain he was facing had become unbearable. He had made the decision to go to his apartment, get a handgun, drive to the desert, and end his suffering. However when he walked through the back door, he was disgusted to see that his window was open. When he got inside, he discovered that while his prized collections and valuables were still in place, his handguns were missing. "God sent me a thief!" Bill exclaimed.

    Grateful that his life was saved, Bill continued on the path of sobriety and began helping other alcoholics to recover. He taught life skills, including addiction recovery, in a prison for 5 years, and he has been an AA sponsor ever since. He recently added the job title of bail bondsman to his resume, and when the opportunity arises, he offers help to those whose addictions have ultimately landed them behind bars.

    Serving others helps Bill remember why he doesn't want to go back to his old lifestyle. Because AA taught him that alcoholism is a progressive disease, Bill knows that the path to becoming an alcoholic would be a very short one if he were ever to get on it again, so he has yearly, and even daily, plans for avoiding it: he goes through the 12 steps of AA in their entirety at least once a year, seeks forgiveness and strength from God daily, and keeps in contact with former alcoholics who've become friends and rejoices in their successes with them.

    Bill is now 70 years old and has a successful, full-time career and many friends. Every aspect of his life and health has been improved as a result of breaking free from his addictions to alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes.

    Bill feels that his life is proof that there is hope for those feeling hopeless. "People can go from being somewhat of a drain on society to contributing wonderfully to the world around them. That's what I'm trying to do." He encourages anyone reading this who needs help recovering from an addiction to seek help: attend an AA meeting, see a counselor, or look online or in the phone book for resources that are available. "There is help out there," he promises. "Remember what my friends at AA taught me: an alcoholic [or other addict] is not a bad person just because he is addicted; however, he is a sick person who needs help."

 

 While Bill choose to remain anonymous for this article he was very excited about the fact at he was going to be able to share his story with others in order to help them also overcome their addictions or help the friends and family members of those who might be suffering from an addiction to recognize the problem and ultimately start the recovery process.

 
 

If you think you may have an addiction or think someone you know might have an addiction please visit www.aa.org for more information.

 
 

 

They Lost It! - July 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    Near the end of 2010, 10 Basinites were selected to participate in Ashley Regional Medical Center's weight loss challenge "Let's Lose It". The contestants were given 6 months to healthfully lose as much weight as possible with the aid of nutrition counseling from Registered Dietician Joyce Buhler and exercise support from Uintah Recreation District. The Fox 98.5 also sponsored the competition and gave continuous moral support to the contenders both on and off air. "Winning" was based on percentage of body weight lost, not on total pounds lost.

    The participants, chosen based on a short essay each wrote about his/her desire to lose weight and become healthier, were Clint Goodman, Debra Richards, Jennifer Rook, Jitney Sawyer, Sue Sawyer, Sarah Schurz, Kendall Tomlinson, Stan Wagner, Anne Williams, and Marcie Young.

    In 6 months, you could say that one of the 10 contestants was lost—not literally, but the equivalent of approximately one of them in pounds (the total isn't in yet, but I calculated between 270 and 300 pounds!).

    On June 20, 2011, the contestants met for a final weigh in and the announcement of the winner of the grand prize: a 4-day Mexican Riviera cruise courtesy of Evans Broadcasting. The Edge was present for the announcement and to take the long-anticipated "after" pictures.

 
 

Anne Williams, a.k.a. The Incredible Shrinking Woman, lost approximately 45 pounds during the competition and considers herself the "slow but steady" competitor. Once weighing at 320 pounds, Anne has lost a total of more than 100 pounds and is within 70 pounds of her goal weight. The really impressive part, though, is that this 60 year old is nearly 3 times the age of the youngest competitor yet came in 3^rd in the "Let's Lose It" competition.

    The hardest part of the competition for Anne was facing "disasters" in life. She said, "I realized, though, that no one in their sixties has a life free of disasters, so I wasn't going to let that be an excuse any more. I kept telling myself, 'I am doing this. I am The Incredible Shrinking Woman!' And you know what? The more I thought it and said it and believed it, the more I realized how true it was. When I tell people I'm The Incredible Shrinking Woman, they believe me!"

    Anne won a $1,000 gift certificate from Altitude Cycle as a top monthly finisher and is now the proud owner of a tricked-out, two-wheeled, pastel-green beach cruiser, which she named Daisy. "I still have some money left on my gift card," Anne said, "so I'm always going in there and asking, 'Can you fit just one more thing on my handlebars?' and they always do!" Altitude Cycle couldn't have found a more appreciative recipient of the gift certificate. Anne had her eye on that prize from day one of the competition, and just to motivate herself, she went looking at bikes several times. A week before the winner was announced that month, Anne went into Altitude Cycle and actually chose her bike; to prove his confidence in Anne, owner Troy Lupcho put a "sold" sign on the bicycle and kept it in the back for her. Meanwhile, one of the family "disasters" Anne speaks of occurred, and she found herself in Salt Lake desiring and being offered fatty comfort foods, but Anne stuck to her new way of life and lost the weight she needed to lose to earn her coveted prize. "I kept telling myself, 'I will never be able to afford that bike. I'm going to be good. I will not cheat on my diet just because this is hard.'"

 
 

Sarah Schurz is a true competitor. "I love being competitive," she stated. Sarah won a BodyBugg for losing the most weight in a month, and she led the competition for most of its final weeks. In 6 months, she lost 22.53% of her body weight and gained improved health, energy, and muscle strength.

    In spite of thriving on competition itself, Sarah acknowledged that she needed support when she became discouraged at times. Her husband, Dustin, was always there to provide that support. "There were some nights that I really just wanted to sit down and relax with Dustin instead of going to the gym, but he would always say something kind to motivate me to get out the door." Dustin took care of the Schurz' adorable, curly-headed, energetic two-year-old son while Sarah worked out. "I couldn't have done this without him," Sarah said. "And, he [Dustin] is healthier now, too. He actually gained weight, but he needed to. He gained good weight."

    Sarah finished 2^nd in Let's Lose It and is well on her way to her goal of 140 pounds. She loves working out on the elliptical, biking, and Zumba dance. Her advice to others striving to lose weight is to build up their support system. "Always have a friend who has the same goal. You can lift each other up when you're down and give each other advice." Sarah's exercise and weight-loss buddy is her friend Christa Smith.

    Mr. Schurz says that he plans to take Sarah on a cruise to celebrate her success. "She worked her butt off!" he said.

 
 

Debra Richards literally ran to the "Let's Lose It" finish line. A former college runner, Deb wanted to lose weight so she could run and to run so she could lose weight, and that proved to be a winning conundrum.

    Deb was jumping up and down, screaming for joy, and hugging her sponsors before the winner was announced. That's because in the final days of the competition, she lost 10 pounds and actually weighed in at less than her goal of 140 pounds. I could tell you that she looks AMAZING, but the before and after pictures speak for themselves.

    Deb was all smiles as she accepted Mexican Riviera cruise vouchers from Evans Broadcasting's owner Joe Evans. As monthly prizes, Deb also won a treadmill from Basin Sports and two $300-loaded Visa cards donated by Ashley Regional Medical Center. She plans to use the $600 to buy a new wardrobe. She said, "My friends keep telling me to buy new clothes. They say, 'That looks terrible on you. It's way too big.'"

    Deb has never been on a cruise, so she's elated about the grand prize, and the way she feels will outlast her 4-day vacation. "It was so worth it! It feels so good to be thin again!" she declared.

    Deb and her 9 new friends wish to thank their sponsors for the prizes, support, and a wonderful, life-changing experience.

 
 

Curves - The Healthy Edge - June 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    "No makeup, no men, no mirrors," are the unofficial rules of any Curves club. The largest fitness franchise in the world (according to curves.com), Curves has a center in Vernal and one in Roosevelt.

As you might have guessed, Curves was created specifically for women. It includes a 30-minute circuit training workout and also offers weight management classes. However, its goals aren't limited to fitness and nutrition. "[C]lub promotions and events encourage women to support charitable causes, learn about health related issues and forge lasting friendships as part of the global Curves community."

    Kerrie Randall owns the Vernal Curves club. Recently named "Business of the Month" by the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, Curves is "more than just a gym," as Kerrie explained. Her club recently collected 1665 pounds of food for local food pantries. They also sponsor several annual programs like Relay for Life, Sub for Santa, and Trees for Charity, to name a few.

    Vernal's Curves also gives back to its members with promotions and creative motivation. Currently, members are working toward a summer "Hawaiian vacation." With an ocean mural on the wall as a reminder, members earn "miles" by bringing in friends to try the workout, writing down their success stories, and reaching their personal goals. "We're getting in a row boat and rowing to Hawaii together," Kerrie stated. "It's been a lot of fun already."

    Kerrie's favorite aspect of being a Curves owner is the camaraderie she sees among the members, who, at the Vernal club, range in age from 10 to 94! Working together toward the same goals of personal health and community improvement, the women support each other, serve others, and have fun together.

    Yes, you read that correctly. The Curves circuit was designed to be enjoyable. Founders Gary and Diane Heavin noticed that "even while exercising, [women] like to talk and benefit from each other's company," and they used that observation to create an atmosphere where women would feel comfortable and be able to socialize with each other while working out.

    A favorite of many Curves members is the Curves with Zumba workout, and participants will tell you it's "fun." Both the Vernal and Roosevelt clubs offer the class several times during the week.

    Roosevelt Curves owner Jody Priebe happened to notice that the club was for sale when she first walked through the doors 3 years ago. "I did the Curves workout once, and then I bought it!" she said. During those 3 years, Roosevelt's club members have lost a total of 1092 pounds and 1603 inches. They've sponsored several community events and recently collected 914 pounds of food, and their donation will be matched by another entity for a total of 1828 pounds donated to local pantries.

    While I was interviewing Jody about the Curves workout, she said, "Why don't you come down and try it, and then you'll know what you want to write!" Jody treated me to a session of personal instruction through a workout, but not because I'm special; they do that for everyone! Anyone who works at Curves is trained on the proper use of all the equipment, and they're on their feet assisting members in staying safe and getting the most out of the workout.

The machines use hydraulics as resistance, so members of all ability levels complete as many reps as they need to optimize their workout. The routine is designed to strengthen all the major muscle groups as well as provide a cardio workout. Done properly, as Jody explained to me, the workout leaves one feeling "like you've done something, but not sore." The next morning, I knew exactly what she meant, and I can't describe it any better than that!

    I'm quite possibly the world's least coordinated person (recently I decided to try step aerobics, and it literally took me 4 weeks to get down a 25-minute routine from the 90's that online reviewers had claimed was as simple as it gets!), so I've avoided public classes and facilities, and until I visited Curves, the only fitness machine I'd ever used was my own treadmill. I warned Jody about this, but she said it wouldn't be a problem, and she patiently coached me on each machine twice, and by the 3^rd time around (Jody kindly acknowledged that most people catch on the first time when I prodded her about it), I remembered what to do and actually got a workout , all in less than 40 minutes and with very little embarrassment plus kind words from the other women—complete strangers—who were there!

    In addition to having knowledgeable facilitators, both Uinta Basin Curves centers are equipped with "CurvesSmart" training, a computerized personal training system that "knows" each member and monitors her heart rate, repetitions, calories burned, and other data to ensure every workout is as successful as possible.

    Curves has tens of thousands of "success stories" from around the world, and among those are 2 employees of the Vernal club.

    Savannah Brown joined Curves in February of 2010. From day 1, she worked out religiously and followed the weight management plan strictly. She's lost 40-50 pounds, but more importantly, she feels that she's made a lifestyle change, and she credits Curves with keeping her "on track." She is thrilled with her improved health, namely that she no longer struggles with asthma as she did before. Savannah has also gained the confidence and stamina to complete her first triathlon, the DinoLand, this month.

    Savannah began working at Curves in February of this year, attended Zumba training in March, and now instructs the Curves with Zumba class.

    Briana Blackwood joined Curves in September of 2007. At age 23, Briana felt depressed and knew she needed to change her lifestyle in order to be happy, but she wasn't comfortable going to the gym. "I was self conscious, and I didn't want to be judged," she explained. "So, I chose Curves because of the atmosphere. I didn't feel like I had to put makeup on before I went, and I could go there and focus on doing what I needed to do."

    Briana was inspired by other women at Curves, including Kerrie Randall. "I would see Kerrie and know that she had lost over 100 pounds through diet and exercise, so I would tell myself that I could do it, too." Briana is nearly there! By completing the Curves workout 3-5 times per week and following the diet plan, she has lost 98.5 pounds, and she gives a lot of credit for her success to Kerrie and other women who have provided "good examples, encouragement, and support." Now an employee of Curves, Briana is providing that inspiration to other members.

For more information about Curves, visit curves.com, or call Kerrie at 781-2386 or Jody at 722-2889.

 
 

It's A Lifestyle! - May 2011

By: Shallin Squire

    On April 18, 2011, Jenny Wall crossed the finish line at the Salt Lake City Marathon. Her journey, though, began long before the starting line that lay 26.2 miles behind her.

    Turn back the calendar to May of 2009. Try to picture a 257-pound Jenny getting "short of breath, red in the face, and sweaty" from walking up the steps to her internship at Roosevelt Jr. High.

    On May 20, 2009, Jenny's grandmother, who had been more like a mother to Jenny for much of her life, passed away. Her grandfather was simultaneously dying of pancreatic cancer, and his suffering had a profound effect upon Jenny. She explained: "My grandfather had been heavy all his life, and he suffered from a lot of health problems as a result, including Type 2 Diabetes. It was at that point that I thought, 'I don't want to die.' I honestly felt like I was approaching death, and I knew if I didn't do something about my health soon, I would die. I wanted to live."

    Jenny made up her mind at that moment to change her lifestyle. She started by giving up soda and made gradual changes from there.

    Mrs. Wall, as her students know her, had been working plus going to college for many years. She explained, "I went straight from the Bachelor's program to the Master's program to the Administrator's program. I was a good student. I attended my classes, did my homework, and received good grades. But I had been taking care of my mind long enough; now it was time to focus on taking care of my body." The very day after completing her final exams, Jenny signed up with a personal trainer.

    "I decided I would treat my training just like school. So, every night after work, I went to the gym. That was my homework." Accustomed to 2-year-long college programs, Jenny told herself that this, too, would be at least a 2-year process, requiring constant effort. Then she related her lifestyle change to education in one more important way: just as a good educator relies on continuing education to get the latest information and sharpen her skills, Jenny told herself that even after reaching her goal weight, she would continue to work out and eat healthfully for the rest of her life.

    Prior to July of 2009, Jenny had zero running experience. "I had never run a day in my life," she stated. "So, I started by doing what I could. I'd run for 30 seconds, and then it would take me 5 minutes to catch my breath, but I just kept doing it, and I gradually improved."

    As Jenny's fitness level improved, she began doing things she'd always wanted to do, such as hiking Mount Timpanogas.

    Being able to hike and participate in outdoor activities were themselves a reward to Jenny, but she kept herself motivated with additional rewards along the way. When she'd lost 10% of the weight she planned to lose, she bought herself a Body Bug to aid in her weight-loss journey. "My next mini-goal reward is to get a passport," she explained happily. I can't afford to go on vacation right now, but if I have the passport, I'm one step closer."

    Other self-motivating rewards have included trips to Moab to hike or visiting a good friend who lives in Brigham City. "Your rewards don't have to be expensive or grand in any way," Jenny stated. "They just have to keep you motivated, and you have to be flexible. When you hit a plateau, focus on rewards for achieving your weekly work out goals rather than reaching a certain weight."

    One of Jenny's motivational weight-loss "secrets" is to always have an attractive outfit hanging in her closet that is 2 sizes too small. "I try it on periodically, and as soon as it fits and I get to wear it, I buy myself an outfit 2 sizes smaller than that."

    Jenny is also motivated by her work-out "buddy"–her husband Glen. Glen had lived a healthy lifestyle for many years before Jenny adopted one, and he encouraged her to do so. "It had to be my choice, though," Jenny explained. "No one can make the decision to change for you. But now I don't know what I would do without Glen's support. He doesn't enjoy the distance running as much as I do, and I can't lift nearly as much weight as he can, so we push each other. I push him to run further, and he pushes me to lift more. We push each other until we can literally say to the other, 'I couldn't do one more if I tried.'"

    Glen supported Jenny by running a half marathon with her, but he doesn't have a desire to run a full marathon. "However, he's still there to support me," she said. "He volunteered at the Salt Lake City Marathon, and he was the one who put the ribbon around my neck after I crossed the finish line."

    In less than 2 years, Jenny has lost a staggering 110 pounds. "I have more to lose," she acknowledged, "but I'm so much healthier, and I feel so much better."

    Jenny's body has changed so significantly that many people, including former students and their parents, have difficulty recognizing Jenny. That doesn't bother her, but Jenny said there is one common question she doesn't care for: "I often get asked, 'What diet are you on?' I'm not on a diet. I didn't starve the weight off or follow a fad diet. I did it one step at a time, and I made a lifestyle change. Being 'on a diet' implies that someday one will be 'off' the diet, but that's not true in my case. I look at food differently. It's an energy source. I think of my upcoming work outs and ask myself, 'What would be the best thing to eat?'"        

    It took Jenny nearly 2 years to be able to finish a marathon, and she stated that it was the hardest thing she has ever done. She injured her knee by stepping in a pothole near mile 17, and she was in so much pain that she seriously considered quitting at mile 20, but she pressed on. "Glen and I have a saying hanging in our work-out room," she said. "It says, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' I decided that it didn't matter if I finished last. I wasn't going to let fear of failure get in my way, and I finished. I was in pain, but it didn't matter. The feeling of accomplishment was worth it."

    The next morning, knee still hurting, Jenny got on the internet and registered for 6 more marathons, which will all take place in 2011.

    When asked if she had advice for anyone who might be considering adopting a healthier lifestyle, Jenny declared, "It's not something that happens overnight. It takes a long time to put the weight on, and it takes a long time to get it off, but everyday you make a positive change is one day closer to your goal."