Health & Wellness Expo - Jan. 26, 2013 January 19, 2013
www.crossroadsnews.com
Get Fit, Feel Great!
Health, fitness take center stage during CrossRoadsNews’ 2013 Health & Wellness Expo Noon to 5 p.m., lower level, the Mall at Stonecrest n Free health screenings
n Dancers
n Fitness demonstrations
n Elected officials
n Musical performances
n Door prizes
n Informative presentations by doctors and nutritionists
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“Staying active and eating food that is good for you has to be a lifestyle change.” Expo-goers will be entertained and informed at the Main Stage in front of Sears, site of events like the popular Fitness FaceOff, Life Chef Asata Reid’s food demonstrations, and the highstepping, hipswagging Beulah Boys.
2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.CrossRoadsNews.com editor@CrossRoadsNews.com
The Health and Wellness Expo Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews Inc., East Metro Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper. Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Reporters Jessica Smith Ken Watts
CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.
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Expo puts focus on fitness, food and early detection People who stay active and eat healthy portions know how good they feel all the time. Their bodies work better, they have less pain, and they sleep better. At the 2013 CrossRoadsNews Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 26 at the Mall at Stonecrest, adults and children will find nearly two dozen exhibitors, lots of good information, fitness demonstrations, free health screenings, and performances that will energize them to keep their New Year’s health resolutions. Jennifer Parker, CrossRoadsNews editor and publisher, said the goal of the expo is to show residents just how easy it can be to get started on a fitness regimen or maintain the one you are already on. “Staying active and eating food that is good for you has to be a lifestyle change,” Parker said. “Every year, this expo reminds us that it’s a no-brainer to integrate some form of exercise in our lives, and select healthy foods to eat.”
The noon-5 p.m. expo will be on the lower level of the Lithonia mall between Dillard’s and Kohl’s. Exhibitors include hospitals, health centers, physicians, chiropractors, other health care professionals, health insurers, and government agencies. Expo-goers will have their pick of free screenings including diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS. The 2013 Health & Wellness Expo is being staged in partnership with title sponsors Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, DeKalb Medical, and 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter. It is one of four annual community expos that CrossRoadsNews has sponsored at the Mall at Stonecrest since 2006. The others are the Summer Camp Expo in March, The Family & Back to School Expo in August, and this year, The Senior/Baby Boomer Expo in September. The Senior Expo replaces the Small Business Expo that was held in April. Among the highlights of this year’s
Health & Wellness Expo are the popular Fitness FaceOff at 1 p.m.; Life Chef Asata Reid’s demonstration of Food That Heals at 3:30 p.m., and the high-stepping, hip-swagging Beulah Boys at 4:15 p.m. For the FaceOff Competition, eight fitness instructors and personal trainers have created fun, three-minute exercise routines to show how they motivate their clients to burn calories and tone their bodies. Vince “the Voice” Bailey will emcee the Expo, and there will be giveaways, door prizes, and the chance to win a $250 Mall at Stonecrest Shopping Spree. Parker said this is an expo with lots of goodies for everyone. “If you want to make a change in your life, there will be lots of people and ideas to help you,” she said. “You don’t want to miss this one.” The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 404-284-1888.
2013 Health & Wellness Expo Exhibitors and Grand Prize Entry Form Visit at least 15 of these exhibitors* at the Mall at Stonecrest and enter to win a $250 Mall at Stonecrest Gift Card at the 2013 Health & Wellness Expo. Drawing takes place on Jan. 26, 2013, at 4:45 p.m. at the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest.
___ Amerigroup ___ Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates ___ Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ___ CrossRoadsNews ___ Commissioner Larry Johnson/Let’s Move DeKalb ___ Daffodil Pediatric ___ DeKalb Co. Dept of Watershed Mgmt ___ DeKalb Co. Solicitor-General’s Office
___ DeKalb Medical ___ Fruitgrass – Ultra Super Food Blend ___ Full Body Loving Care Chiropractic ___ ICI Financial Services ___ Injury 2 Wellness Centers ___ Kaiser Permanente ___ Oakhurst Medical Center ___ Optimal Health & Wellness
___ Organic Root Stimulator ___ Premier Women’s Healthcare ___ Rae Rae Clark, Fitness Motivator ___ South DeKalb Rotary Club ___ STAND Inc. ___ Stella Shampoos & Conditioners ___ Utley Chiropractic & Wellness Center ___ WellCare of Georgia
Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Home phone _________________________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________________________ * Eligible entries must be validated by at least 15 exhibitors and must include your complete name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Employees and immediate family members of CrossRoadsNews and the Mall at Stonecrest are not eligible to win. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You MUST be present to win.
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Wellness Expo
2013 Health & Wellness Expo Program Highlights
Emcee:
Jan. 26, 2013 • Noon to 5 p.m. • The Main Stage in front of Sears Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon
Expo Kickoff 3 p.m.
12:30 p.m. DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston
Sherry Boston
1 p.m.
Sankofa
Vince “the Voice” Bailey
3:30 p.m. Food that Heals with Life Chef Asata Reid
Fitness FaceOff Competition
2:20 p.m. Jenae’s Dance Experience (J’DE)
Life Chef Asata Reid
Fitness FaceOff
The Beulah Boys
4 p.m. Beulah Boys Line Dancers
4:45 p.m. Grand Prize Drawing
Jenae’s Dance Experience
5 p.m.
Expo Ends
2:45 p.m. 100 Black Women of DecaturDeKalb, Norma Johnson, president
The last thing the community needed was “just another hospital.” Sure a state-of-the-art facility close to home would be appreciated. But what was equally important was building a place that would remind patients of the care that had disappeared from healthcare. So beyond simply launching the first all-digital master planned hospital in Georgia, we set out to give patients everything from access to a talented pool of doctors and dedicated support staff, who would engage them in their treatment, to free parking and amazing food. See, before DeKalb Medical at Hillandale was even established, we asked ourselves, “What can we do differently? What can we do better than them?” And we still ask ourselves those two questions every day. Because as far as we’re concerned, good could never be good enough.
To learn more, visit www.dekalbmedicalhillandale.org
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There are a lot of food options to choose from to create a healthy menu of delicious meals.
‘Heal thyself ’ with nutrient-dense, simple-to-prepare food The phrase “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” has been attributed to Hippocrates, also known as the father of Western medicine. Combine that thought with the ever-popular parental spiel that “You are what you eat,” and you have a great recipe for healing what ails you. From the common cold to diabetes, there are magazines and Web sites full of foodbased cures. The best medicine is prevention, and food plays a role in that, too. At the Jan. 26 CrossRoadsNews Health and Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest, I’ll demonstrate recipes that feature socalled “superfoods” that can give your body a much-needed boost to heal itself. If you start out with a balanced diet, you’re well on your way to wellness. Certain nutrient-dense foods can expedite recovery and boost immunity. Check out these easyto-find and simple-to-prepare foods.
Lower cholesterol naturally These foods made Prevention Magazine’s list of cholesterol-lowering foods because they help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, maintain “good” HDL cholesterol, and help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke: n Oats n Nuts n Red wine n Beans n Chocolate n Spinach n Avocado n Garlic n Salmon and fatty fish n Olive oil Balancing blood sugar These foods made Real Age’s list of 10 Foods for Diabetics and Blood Sugar because they have a low impact on blood sugar fluctuations, which help diabetics maintain even
their immune-building properties, such as high-antioxidant content and nutrient density. n Elderberry n Button mushrooms n Acai berry n Oysters n Watermelon n Cabbage n Almonds n Grapefruit n Wheat germ n Low-fat yogurt n Garlic n Spinach n Tea n Sweet potato n Broccoli
“Life Chef” Asata Reid will demonstrate recipes featuring “superfoods” and answer questions.
insulin levels: n Spinach and leafy greens n Sardines n Chia seeds n Lentils n Whole grain pasta
n Nuts n Hummus n Cinnamon n Quinoa n Olive oil
Immunity boosters Chicken soup for the common cold? Absolutely. Studies have shown that it reduces some of the symptoms of a cold, even if it won’t exactly cure it. These foods made WebMD’s list of 15 Immune Boosting Foods due to
Inflammation fighters Inflammation is famous for causing pain, but did you know it is also a precursor to other major illnesses? Internal systemic inflammation often goes undetected until it triggers other more noticeable symptoms such as an organ or glandular malfunction. Dr. Andrew Weil, author and integrative medicine expert, says: “It is becoming increasingly clear that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses – including heart disease, many cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease.” His Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid, released on Oct. 12, 2012, suggests these foods, from greatest to least quantities, be consumed to fight inflammation (view the full pyramid at www.drweil.com): n Vegetables (4-5 a day) n Fish and seafood (2-6 a week) n Fruits (3-4 a day) n Whole and cracked
grains (3-5 a day) n Beans and legumes (1-2 a day) n Whole soy foods (1-2 a day) n Pasta (2-3 a week) n Cooked Asian mushrooms (unlimited amounts) n Other sources of protein like eggs, poultry, lean meats, cheeses (1-2 a week) n Healthy fats like olive and other expeller pressed oils, nuts, avocados and seeds (5-7 a day) n Herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, tumeric and cinnamon (unlimited amounts) n Tea, white, green and oolong (2-4 cups a day) n Supplements (daily) n Red wine (optional) n Healthy sweets (sparingly) As you can see, there are lots of food options to create a healthy menu of delicious meals. We’ll tackle this topic and answer some of your questions around healthy eating at the Health and Wellness Expo, noon to 5 p.m. on the mall’s lower level. I will be on the Main Stage in front of Sears at 3:30 p.m.
Follow the Life Chef Chef Asata teaches a “What’s Cooking?” healthy eating class at Sevananda Natural Foods Market (www.sevananda.coop) at noon on the second Saturday monthly. She also is leading a “How to Feed a Kid” seminar series for parents at Charles R. Drew Charter School for the 2012-2013 school year. She also has a healthy cooking series at the Truly Living Well Urban Farms (www.trulylivingwell. net) and the Villages of East Lake community in spring of 2013. For more information, visit www.LifeChef.net and follow her on Facebook/ ChefAsata for daily healthy eating tips and recipes.
Healthy Relationships Make a Safer DeKalb abusive relationships don’t just happen to adults. One in three young people experiences some form of dating abuse.
{
February is teen dating violence prevention and awareness Month.
}
join Me on january 26, 2013 12 noon to 5 p.m. at stonecrest Mall and take the pledge to stop teen dating violence.
Sherry Boston dekalb county solicitor-general
www.dekalbsolicitorgeneral.org 404.371.2201
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January 19, 2013
CrossRoadsNews
IN AN EMERGENCY
WHEN MINUTES
MATTER,
REMEMBER HOW CLOSE WE ARE. If your child has a medical emergency, experience is crucial. So it’s good to know that the emergency department at Hughes Spalding is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine pediatricians who can handle everything from fevers to broken bones. To learn more, visit choa.org/hughesspalding.
©2013 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding is owned by Grady Health System® and managed by HSOC Inc., an affiliate of Children’s. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.
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“Fitness happens inside and outside the gym. You have to change your sleeping habits, your eating habits. You have to commit to it.”
Faith helps athlete turn life around
Judges bring experience, p
By Jessica Smith
The judges for the 2013 Fitness FaceOff are familiar faces. DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson, author and fitness buff Larry “the Outstanding Man” Bobo, and 2012 Fitness FaceOff Champion Tamisha Cosby will be offering thumbs-up and -down on the popular competition in which personal trainers and fitness instructors showcase the routines they use to motivate their clients to be active and healthy. Johnson and Bobo have been judges in the competition before. Johnson helped judge the inaugural
When childhood basketball star JoAnna Ward was growing up, she never experienced the esteem horrors of baby weight. At Crim High in Atlanta, her athletic skills quickly earned her a basketball scholarship to South Carolina State University. Being an athlete, she had no idea what a weight issue was until she graduated, became inactive, and packed on weight on her 5-foot-10inch frame. She went to the gym in 1996 and weighed in at 192 pounds – 30 pounds over her ideal weight. “At that point,” she said, “I declared I would be 200-nothing. Period.” She was at a low point. Her son, Dontre, was about to turn 3, her marriage was falling apart, and she had no money. Ward, who grew up in a strong Christian home, knew where to look. “I was drifting, lost, going nowhere,” she said. “After a really trying season in my life, I turned my faith back to God and sought his plan for my life. Fitness was only one of the many positive turns that came next.” She signed up and unsuccessfully attempted an aerobics class, losing only 4 pounds after four months of stationary equipment workouts. After consulting with other women, Ward concluded that her diet and exercise routine would change. She went back to aerobics, stayed until she got the hang of it, and dropped more than 30 pounds in six weeks. She realized that her metabolism had been working but her diet was canceling it out. By 1998, Ward had gone back to college, finished her master’s in edu-
Larry Bobo
Tamisha Cosby
Fitness FaceOff in 2011, and Bobo was a judge for the 2012 competition. Cosby, a fitness instructor at New Birth’s Samson Fitness Center in Lithonia and Anytime Fitness in Conyers, vied in both competi-
Trainer favors hatha yoga to By Jessica Smith
JoAnna Ward, who appeared on “Survivor: Amazon,” will compete in the Fitness FaceOff on Jan. 26 at the Mall at Stonecrest.
cation, and got a job as a guidance counselor in Orangeburg, S.C. She taught fitness classes at her school, where some teachers were fans of “Survivor.” They submitted her tapes to CBS, and in 2002 she was chosen to compete on “Survivor: Amazon.” People began asking her to be their personal trainer. Ward, who lives in Lithonia, launched Hallelujah Productions dba JoAnna Ward Fitness in 2003. She teaches at Berean Christian Church’s Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center. She combines strength training, cardio and nutrition counseling
for more than 300 clients. Ward will be among eight fitness instructors and personal trainers competing in the 2013 Fitness FaceOff at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 26 during CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health & Wellness Expo. It starts at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level. She says faith and fitness are a great fit. “It sets the enduring foundation that is needed to go from fat to fit to fabulous and stay there.” For more information, call 770873-2497or visit joannawardfitness. com.
Michelle Barnard was born to move. At age 3, she took up ballet and plied, tapped and waltzed her way through her childhood. But in 2001 when she began teaching dance at the age of 22, she found out that she wasn’t as agile as she thought. “I realized I wasn’t as young as the young folks,” Barnard said this week with a laugh. I’ve To recapture her flexibility and exp burn a few extra calories, she yog took an aerobics class. It was love at first step. Two years later, she became a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor through the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America. At her peak she taught 20 classes per week, including yoga, kickboxing, Pilates, weight training and water aerobics. In 2009 she started Michelle Barnard Fitness, a mobile fitness company that travels to clients. She also teaches yoga classes at the East Lake YMCA and the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta. She created Tone & Tuff Small Group Training Camp that offers personal training to seven clients at a time. But of all the training she offers, her favorite is yoga. “Yoga is close to my heart,” said Barnard, who lives in Grant Park. “It
Desert Storm veteran motivates others to achieve fitness goals Darnell Reed is no stranger to fitness. At age 11, he began wrestling, a sport that he continued throughout his adolescence and well into his 20s, even after he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. As if basic training weren’t enough, the Desert Storm vet took up mixed martial arts fighting, which opened doors for him with a career as a personal trainer. Reed trained for 10 years at mega gyms like L.A. fitness and Bally and picked up a healthy knowledge of nutrition. Suffice it to say, an active, healthy lifestyle is his passion. On Jan. 26, Reed will showcase some of the exercise routines he uses to motivate clients in their quest for fitness. He is one of eight personal trainers, fitness instructors and coaches competing in the 2013 Fitness FaceOff competition at the CrossRoadsNews annual Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. The competition starts at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears.
After years of successfully helping clients meet their wellness goals, Reed said he began noticing that people are becoming more health-conscious overall. In 2012, he translated his passion into his own personal training service, ProQual Fitness, based in Sandy Springs. Reed said his goal is to help people achieve their health goals. “It’s about helping people become more conscious and aware of what they’re putting in their bodies and what they’re doing with their bodies,” he said. Reed, who lives in Sandy Springs, says taking care of your body means changing your lifestyle. He says that staying healthy doesn’t just happen with a casual three-day-a-week workout. “Fitness happens both inside and outside the gym,” he said. “You have to change your sleeping habits, your eating habits. You have to commit to it.” For more information, visit proqualfitness.com, e-mail proqualfitness@gmail.com or call Reed at Darnell Reed translated his passion for fitness into his own personal training service, 770-710-4541. ProQual Fitness based in Sandy Springs.
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“When you’re not fit, it creates a plethora of health problems. The human body was made to move.”
passion for fitness to table K.T.O.’s positive hip-hop fights obesity tions. She came in a close second in the first and claimed the Championship Trophy in the second. The three will judge the compeLarry Johnson tition that begins at 1 p.m. on Jan. 26 during CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. It takes place on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level. Johnson, who represents District
3 on the Board of Commissioners, is in his third four-year term. He is a Fulton County public health manager and creator of DeKalb Walks, an initiative he launched in 2004 to encourage residents to “walk to better health” in county parks. Bobo, author of “How to Find an Outstanding Man” and “Becoming an Outstanding Man: Marriage, Family and Relationships,” is host of the Web-based Beef Up & Go Fitness Show. He created the Stackand-Rack 60-Day Challenge for men who struggle to gain weight because of high metabolism.
By Jessica Smith
In the fight against childhood obesity, K.T.O. has a solution. Kids Taking Over, a group of children led by 21-year-old Ivern Morgan, trains students to translate popular dance moves into fitness moves. Morgan, whose stage name is Lil’ Uno, was a hip-hop fanatic and aspiring lyricist when his mother laid down the law. “I told him if he wanted to do this, he needed to do something positive,” she said. Elvis Morgan, who lives in Grant Park with her son, has polycystic kidney disease and comes from a family history of diabetes. She knew that she wanted to effect change in the overwhelming number of health problems facing her community and Kids Taking Over includes children ages 5 to 16 who have performed at the nation. After brainstorming with recreation centers, summer camps and senior centers. Popular dance moves Ivern and close friend Carla Jones, become fitness moves. who owns a multimedia studio, Hip Hop 2 Fitness was born. “Obesity is killing our nation right now,” Morgan Morgan said that as a country, we must fight RICO. said. She said many parents are passing on poor eating “We’re fighting against him for a healthy future.” habits to their children. Kids Taking Over will bring their message of transWhen parents go to the grocery store and buy the formation to the 2013 Fitness FaceOff competition on same sugar- and fat-laden foods week after week, a Jan. 26 at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. vicious cycle develops, but Morgan said children can The group will be one of eight personal trainers and lead the way. If a child comes up and asks for a healthier fitness instructors competing at the 2013 CrossRoadalternative, Morgan believes parents will follow suit. sNews Health & Wellness Expo. “The best way to change eating habits right now is K.T.O., which includes children ages 5-16, performs to go through the children,” she said. “Like it or not, at metro recreation centers, summer camps and senior parents do what their kids want them to do. Once the facilities. They hope to bring Rico into the public school kids change their minds, the adults will follow.” system along with a three-month fitness program they In 2008, Ivern Morgan created Kids Taking Over created for children. Morgan and Jones also are working when he called on 10 of his cousins and close neighbor- on a TV pilot – “Hip Hop 2 Fitness With K.T.O.” – they hood friends to help promote Hip Hop 2 Fitness. would like to broadcast on public television for latchkey K.T.O.’s mascot Rico is an overweight kid who kids. The show will offer an exercise routine as well as a loves to eat junk food and performs hip-hop dances segment that teaches healthy meal preparation. like the Cat Daddy, Stanky Legg, the Dougie, and even For more information, contact Elvis Morgan at elthe Bump. RICO stands for respiratory illness, cancers vis.morgan@hotmail.com or 678-789-3722 and Carla and obesity. Jones at ugqinc@gmail.com or 561-275-6144.
boost flexibility, spirituality
has helped a lot of people, especially in becoming more spiritual. I’ve seen a lot of people grow from experiences they’ve had through yoga.” On Jan. 26, she will highlight her favorite hatha yoga techniques and some very advanced poses in the 2013 Fitness FaceOff Competition at the Mall at Stonecrest. Barnard is one of eight instructors competing at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage near Sears on the mall’s lower level during CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo. e seen a lot of people grow from Barnard, who believes in all periences they’ve had through facets of fitness, stresses the imga,” says Michelle Barnard. portance of maintaining not only cardiovascular health and strength, but also spirituality. It is only then, she says, that we can have a completely fit body. “Staying fit keeps me sane,” she said. “We all have to deal with paying the rent and problems at work. Practicing yoga keeps me grounded and gets me through what I’m going through. It puts me in a better mood.” Through her demonstration, Barnard is hoping to inspire people to try yoga. “Yoga keeps growing with you,” she said. “You can practice it until your last days.” For more information, call 404-931-5252 or visit michellebarnard. wix.com/transcendfitness.
Follow Zumba Crew, leader out of comfort zone and into shape By Jessica Smith
News’ 2013 Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. When LaWanda Brokenborough started her mobile Brokenborough, who favors the high-energy workpersonal training business from the ground up, comfort out that mixes Brazilian, Latin and African dancing, was the last thing she was feeling. will be one of eight fitness instructors and personal Brokenborough, then 216 pounds, was bartending, trainers who will showcase how they keep clients fit waiting tables and miserable. “I was overweight and unand motivated. derpaid,” she joked. This is her second attempt to claim the crown of FitNow affectionately known as “the Fitness Diva,” Broness FaceOff Champion. She also competed in 2012. kenborough decided to step out on a limb involving some The Fitness FaceOff begins at 1 p.m. on the Main serious life changes. Her “aha” moment came when she Stage in front of Sears. realized that by teaching aerobics, she could have a job she Brokenborough said being healthy and active should liked, lose weight and make money at the same time. be everyone’s goal every day. “When you’re not fit, it “When I got the idea, I had never taken a single fitness creates a plethora of health problems. The human body class before. The extent of my workouts included me in was made to move.” the living room with my mom watching Jane Fonda,” she To be beneficial, she said the movement has to be LaWanda Brokenborough favors Zumba, the high-energy workout that mixes said. purposeful. Brazilian, Latin and African dancing. Eleven years later, she leads an average of 32 group “I see so many people working out in classes and fitness and dance classes per week. She teaches at Pera 10 certifications, leads weight-loss support groups for teens staying comfortable,” she said. “They can lift a 10-pound Dance Studio and Athletic Club Northeast in Atlanta, Just and adults, and conducts fitness and dance choreography dumbbell, but because it’s easier they reach for 5 pounds Fitness 4 U in Roswell, and Riverdale Community Center. workshops and lectures. instead. That only keeps you right where you are.” Her repertoire includes kickboxing, step, salsa, yoga, boot On Jan. 26, she and her Zumba Crew will demonstrate For more information, call 1-877-697-6249 or visit www. camp, aerobics, and water aerobics. She also holds more than an energetic routine in the Fitness FaceOff at CrossRoads lawandathefitnessdiva.com.
WellCare is a health plan with a Medicare contract. Y0070_NA013857_WCM_ADV_ENG File and Use 11082010
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“Seeing my friends on top of the epidemic of childhood diabetes and obesity in our community really put me into action.”
Stroke survivor shares energy, line dancing with young, old By Jessica Smith
“Mr. CardioTone” Dwight Calhoun will bring his line-dancing fitness routine to the Jan. 26 competition.
In his urban line-dance fitness classes, instructor and personal trainer Dwight Calhoun is all about sharing the good vibes. Calhoun, 46, who started line dancing in 2008, says he fell into it by accident when a cousin and a few friends wanted to lose some weight. “Seeing my friends on top of the epidemic of childhood diabetes and obesity in our community really put me into action,” said Calhoun, who is known as the “line dance king” and “Mr. Cardio-Tone.” Dancing for Calhoun was nothing new. He began at age 4, aspiring to move like Michael Jackson and James Brown. It was in 1991, however, when he suffered a disabling stroke as an adult that dance took on new meaning. His short- and long-term memory was
damaged. Doctors told him he would develop dementia. After 20 years of on-andoff recovery, the left side of his body is still weaker than the right. Despite his cognitive impairment, Cal-
“Part of my brain was closing down, but dancing forced me to think and use my brain,” said Calhoun, who boasts that few can outdance him, “but none can outlast me.” On Jan. 26 at 1 p.m., he will compete with seven other personal trainers and fitness instructors in the Fitness FaceOff at CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health and Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level. This will be his second entry. Last year, he excited the audience with a lively routine. When he is not competing, he shares his energy with kids and adults at Spelman College, Torch Fitness, Southwest Arts Center, Decatur Family YMCA and day care centers. houn was determined to stay healthy. He teaches about 30 hours per week and his “Constant movement became therapy for students sweat through hour-long but fun me,” he said. “I have to do certain things on workouts that include 10 to 12 line dances. task, like count and follow the rhythms, so it For more information, e-mail mrcardio forced me to concentrate. tone@yahoo.com. Kim Broadus will introduce Piloxing, which fuses Pilates, boxing and dance and can burn 400 to 900 calories an hour.
Maverick to demonstrate Piloxing at competition By Jessica Smith
“I was like, wow … I want to do that.” That cathartic moment transformed a shy corporate drudge into a vivacious returning college student, successful business owner and fiercely independent mother who does it all. “Anything is possible,” she said. Broadus was raising her young daughter, now 7, while working full time as a quality assurance analyst at Harland Clarke in Decatur. She also was managing her business, Keep It In Motion, which she started in 2012. “For me, there is no excuse,” she said. “To the woman who tells me, ‘I had a Caesarean a year ago’ – I was teaching two weeks before I had my daughter. To the woman who says ‘I don’t want to mess up my hair’ – you have
Throwing punches and sweating bullets in front of a room of people is the last place Kim Broadus ever thought she’d be. But these days, that’s right where she is. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. A personal trainer and group fitness instructor for 10 years, Broadus got her start as a student in a step aerobics class. Several family members were overweight and suffering from a myriad of health issues, and she was determined not to follow in their footsteps. She struggled at first but was mesmerized by the instructor’s energy and skill. Once she got her feet wet, she fell in love.
time for your hair appointment, you can make time to get your nails done, you can make time to work on your body.” Broadus works on more than 150 bodies in 11 classes every week using boot camp, Pilates, step and body sculpting. But when she developed heel spurs in 2006, she wanted to teach a class that was low impact. That’s when she discovered Piloxing, which she will demonstrate on Jan. 26 at the Mall at Stonecrest as she competes against seven other fitness instructors in the 2013 Fitness FaceOff at 1 p.m. during CrossRoadsNews’ Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo. For more information, e-mail kimbtrainer@gmail.com or call 404-399-8006.
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770 Village Square Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404-298-8998
Kensington Office Park 4151 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 404-941-2116
Decatur
1760 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-286-2215
Healing our community, one home at a time
Rockdale
977 Taylor Street S.W. Conyers, GA 30012 678-210-2700
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CrossRoadsNews
January 19, 2013
Wellness Expo ‘Change is uncomfortable’ By Jessica Smith
Thirteen years ago, 5-foot-11-inch Wesley Franklin tipped the scales at 350 pounds. Franklin, then 19, said he struggled with being overweight his whole life. “I didn’t know what it felt like not to be fat,” he said. But in 1999 during his sophomore year at Morehouse College, Franklin went to Bally’s Total Fitness and started walking on a treadmill. After a few weeks, he enrolled in a step aerobics class and started seriously shedding pounds. Today, the Smyrna resident weighs in at 210. His initial transformation was so dramatic that his instructor persuaded him to become a trainer. When he got down to 280 pounds, he taught his first step aerobics class. Franklin, who is now a personal trainer and fitness instructor, teaches about 45 students in 15 classes per week. His specialties include step aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, cycle and dance. Franklin says a person’s health is not determined by their size, but that if they are willing, they can move their size. “So many people look at fitness as a chore. They want something quick, that they don’t have to put that much effort into.” He knows there are no quick fixes. “When they don’t see immediate results, they think, ‘It’s not a good return on their investment,’” he said. “But they’re investing incorrectly.” On Jan. 26, he will demonstrate correct investing with a step aerobics routine in the 2013 Fitness FaceOff at the Mall at Stonecrest. He is one of eight trainers and instructors competing in the annual CrossRoadsNews Health and Wellness Expo.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Wesley Franklin, who once weighed 350 pounds, will demonstrate step aerobics.
This is his second time. In 2011, Franklin gave a heart-pumping performance in the inaugural Fitness FaceOff and promises more of the same for this year’s competition, which begins at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level. Franklin encourages clients to drink plenty of water and eat six small meals per day instead of three large ones. He also tells them to be patient and not to give up. “Change is uncomfortable, but so is being out of shape,” he said. For information, call 678-296-0868 or e-mail wjf25@hotmail.com.
Posture Can Reveal Spine Problems
Stop by our booth at the expo for a
Dr. McColumn, DC
sees patients primarily at our Clarkston location.
We accept all Insurance: Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana and Medicare Dr. Garcia and Dr. McColumn will be at the Expo all day on Saturday
FREE
SPINAL SCREENING
Dr. Garcia, DC
has over 12 years of expertise and can be seen at both locatons.
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CrossRoadsNews
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Wellness Expo
January 19, 2013
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Blood pressure tests will be offered at the expo by Kaiser Permanente, DeKalb Medical and Oakhurst Medical. Other screenings will be provided by Amerigroup, the Rotary Club of South DeKalb, STAND Inc., Injury 2 Wellness Chiropractic Center and Premier Women’s Healthcare.
Early diagnosis may help outcome Free health screenings for diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS will be available at the CrossRoadsNews 2013 Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 26 at the Mall at Stonecrest. The annual expo takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on the lower level of the Lithonia mall. Early diagnosis of most health problems often can lead to a good outcome, but many African-Americans don’t find out about their illnesses until they are late stage, when they are more difficult to treat.
DeKalb Medical, Oakhurst Medical, Amerigroup and the Rotary Club of South DeKalb will offer diabetes screenings. Screenings for hypertension, or high blood pressure, will be offered by Kaiser Permanente, DeKalb Medical and Oakhurst Medical. STAND Inc. will offer rapid HIV/AIDS tests with results ready within 20 minutes. The Health & Wellness Expo takes place in the mall’s lower level, between Dillard’s and Kohl’s.
Free screenings at the 2013 Health & Wellness Expo Blood Spinal Provider Diabetes Pressure Screens BMI Amerigroup 3 DeKalb Medical 3 3 Kaiser Permanente 3 Rotary Club of South DeKalb 3 STAND Inc. Oakhurst Medical 3 3 Injury 2 Wellness 3 Premier Women’s Healthcare 3
HIV/AIDS
3
Rae Rae Clark
Exercise Motivator
• Group & Corporate Fitness Trainer • One-on-One Trainer • Ab Specialist
404-697-2478 • raeswae@yahoo.com
CrossRoadsNews
January 19, 2013
Wellness Expo
Miller Grove Middle School’s Sankofa dance team will demonstrate steps at the expo. Spanish teacher Lucinda Gaddis is their sponsor.
Sankofa bridges past, present By Jessica Smith
Lucinda Gaddis knows the importance of preserving her heritage. For the past 15 years, the DeKalb School System Spanish teacher has been moonlighting as a West African dancer. In 2009, she became a sponsor of a dance team at Miller Grove Middle School in Lithonia, where she is a Spanish teacher and Connections Department chair. She named it Sankofa, which in the Ghana Akan language means “go back and fetch it.” For Gaddis, that means learning from the past. “It’s about going back to get the knowledge that our ancestors have put into place. For us, that knowledge is dance, song, rhythms and music in general,” she said. She learned to dance under the tutelage of Abdoulaye Camara of the National Ballet of Senegal and has been imparting what she knows to students.
Her Miller Grove team of three dancers will demonstrate how dancing can help keep people fit. The sixth- to eighth-graders meet for biweekly rehearsals and learn steps that are connected to daily life in ancient Ghana. Gaddis said that the simple task of leaning over and planting a seed becomes elevated when it is repeated in a performance setting. The rhythms and movements have been passed down through the generations, Gaddis said. She said studying tradition is very important, especially in a predominantly African-American community. “We learn these things as an expression of our pride and culture,” Gaddis said. Sankofa will be on the Main Stage, in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level, at 3 p.m. The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia.
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Join the fun and participate in a Let’s Move! DeKalb Event For More Information Call 404-371-2988
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CrossRoadsNews
January 19, 2013
Where does holistic comprehensive gynecologic care meet the art of beauty?
STATE OF THE ART HEALTH AND WELLNESS CARE AND AESTHETICS RIGHT HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY! South DeKalb’s Premier Gynecologic Practice offering: • Medical weight loss program • Scarless hysterectomies • Zerona - melts fat instantly • Ablation - in office treatment for heavy periods • Laser hair removal • Essure - in office permanent birth control • Holistic and conventional care for female problems • Veinwave- spider vein treatment • Nutritional supplements
Now ew accepting n patients!
Call for a new appointment before February 15th and receive a complimentary facial or complimentary body composition analysis.
Join us on February 7th for an evening seminar “Healthy Is the New Sexy” Visit our website for more information.
Comprehensive healthcare to help you look and feel your best! www.premierwomens.com 5404 Hillandale Park Court, Lithonia, GA 30058 678 418-6990 www.facebook.com/PremierWomensHealthcareAndAesthetics • www.twitter.com/PremierWomensHC www.linkedin.com/company/2722124 • www.youtube.com/user/PremierWomensHCare www.yelp.com/biz/premier-womens-healthcare-llc-lithonia