| From the Trainers... |
Recent research has shown that K-12 kids lose so much knowledge and academic skills during the summer break that the first two to three months of the next school year are primarily used for catching up. Likewise, during summer vacation, the usual answer to the familiar essay question "What I Did Over Summer Vacation" is . . . nothing. And that's especially true for kids' bodies. Research also demonstrates that K-12-ers are sleeping around nine hours a night and using electronic devices-that's cellphones, TVs, tablets, computers, etc.-for another nine. That doesn't leave a whole lot of time in the day for exercise. Ask your grandparents, or even parents, what they did during these 10-12 weeks, and they'll likely talk about getting up at the crack of day and riding their bikes off to play or even going to summer camps. In other words, they naturally got the requisite amount of exercise. And that exercise, as neuro-scientist John Medina points out in Brain Rules (2008), helped in turn to boost their brain power. What should today's kids be doing in the summer? Continued at our Fitness Plus blog
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Spotlight on Clients
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August has been a busy month and spotlighting just one of our clients won't cut it. We have 3 clients this month who deserve special mention.
First is Russ Hunter, who trains with Rob Sweet. Russ has lost 100 lbs. this past year and has a wonderful story to tell of his journey. Please read it on our blog.
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Russ "after" photo
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We are so proud of Russ and Rob for creating a successful team. Russ will be a freshman at Butler University this year and will bring with him confidence and knowledge of how to stay fit and healthy.
Our second spotlight goes to FP clients Mary Hammond and Kay Park.
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Anne, Mary, Kay
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They participated in a spelling bee to raise money for the Thorn Hill Adult Education Center, in Frankfort. Mary and Kay and a friend formed the team of the "Great Gatsbees" (dressing the part) and took 2nd place, out of 15 teams, while helping to raise $12,000 for the center. Congrats to all!
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Greetings!
I love summer. It seems to bring out the "active" in everyone, including our staff.
In addition to or clients getting involved in various outdoor activities this summer, several of our staff embraced the outdoor activity season also.
Most recently, FP trainer Laura Coombs competed in her first triathlon, the Cayuga Lake Triathlon in New York.
Laura completed the half-mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3.1 mile run in just under 2 hours, putting her 11th in her age group.
Way to go, Laura!
Have a great month,
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What's Happening at Fitness Plus
We at Fitness Plus have put in a lot of effort to educate our clients about proper posture being an important part of proper function of the body. In addition to communicating directly to our clients about this, we have incorporated our message into corporate talks we give and articles written in various publications. It seems that we are fast becoming known as posture and body function experts in the Lexington area. As a result, WKYT-TV approached us, asking us to do a piece on kids' backpacks-how to choose and use them correctly, and to give parents tools they can use to determine if their kids have the right pack for their needs. Both Sheila Kalas and Laura Coombs filmed this piece, with the help of Walker Horn (child of clients Darin and Carla). The shoot was a success and aired on Channel 27. Click here to see the finished video. We appreciate the opportunity to educate our community and will always make ourselves available to do so. |
Maintain Mental Flexibility
You know how important flexibility is for physical health. It's also important for mental health.
Being flexible in thoughts and behaviors can contribute to overall contentment and happiness, or just getting through the day without blowing a gasket because every little thing wasn't absolutely perfect.
In this SparkPeople article, behavior expert Megan Coatley explores 6 ways to maintain mental flexibility: how to learn to roll with the punches and dodge life's wenches.
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From Men's Health
Hydrogenated oil. Trans fats. Ick.
The "Eat This, Not That" folks take a look at some scary things in the grocery store to steer clear of. Like Pillsbury Grands Homestyle biscuits, with 3 grams of trans fats.
Marie Callender's peach cobbler has 5 grams of trans fats (try a Sara Lee pumpkin pie instead).
One brand of microwave popcorn has 7 grams in half a bag, while another name brand has zero trans fats.
Oh, and the tans-fattiest fast-food meal around? Long John Silver's Platter with catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, onion rings, cole slaw, and 24 grams of trans fats.
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