FR
EE
“Official” Health and Fitness Magazine of Oklahoma
April/May 2013
Melonoma Skin Cancer Awareness Physical Fitness & Sports Month
Cody Bobay of Bobay Fitness
Martin Sheen Visits 12 & 12, Inc.
Steve Clausen - One Healthy Bod
CONTENTS
Volume 3, Issue 4
APRIL/MAY 2013 Governor Urges Oklahomans To Sign Smoking Initiative Petition 8 Oklahoma Looks At The Safety Of Our Children In School 9
PRIME Plan Your Vacation And Save Money And Stress 10 Oklahomans Move To Fight Heart Disease 12 Riverside Sand Plums, A Healthy Addition To Your Diet 13 Get Fit At The Lighthouse Gym With Steve Clausen 14 Improving The Health Of Our State 15 Lung Cancer Survivors Are Growing In Number 16 Get Your Varicose Veins Treated Now And Ready For Summer 18 Plant Based Hormone Is Making A Difference With Patients 19 Relief From Allergies With Out The Shot 19 ACS – Sun Safety Will Help Reduce Skin Cancer 20 Alcohol Awareness Month: Sheen Gives Back 22
FITNESS Heatlhy Living With Cody Bobay 23 Care And Treatment Of Ingrown Toe Nails 25 Get Your Figure Back With A Mommy Makeover 26
FOODIES Fresh Veggie Ideas To Temp Your Taste Buds 28 A Battle To End Hunger In Oklahoma 30
BABIES ON BOARD Positive Tomorrows Brings Hope To Homeless Children 32 Planting Seeds For A Brighter Future 34 Find Love In The Lavender At Lavender Valley Acres 35 Gaillardia Country Club, A Healthy Community 36 The Okc Thunder Girls, More Than Just Dancers 38 Get Into Shape On Your Budget 40 Starting Your Own Business? Talk To Your Tax Person First 42 Miss Lawton Winning The Fight With Diabetes 43
COVER PHOTO AND CONTENTS COURTESY OF DAVID HOLBROOK
PET HEALTH
Governor Fallin standing on the State Seal in the Capitol
Taking Care Of All Creatures Great And Small 44
TALK Work Site Wellness Programs Lead To Better Health, Better Production 46
OKC Thunder Basketball Spotlight The Thunder Girls pg. 38
IN EVERY ISSUE Publisher/ Editor's Letter ............................................................... 6 Governor Mary Fallin .......................................................................8 Lt. Governor Todd Lamb ................................................................ 9 Fiscal Fitness ...................................................................................10 Cody Bobay.....................................................................................23 Babies on Board ...................................................................... 32-34
Join the Coversation! If you would like to drop a line say hello or tell us how you feel, email: • Brad Smith at bradokhealth@gmail.com or • Brandy Morris at brandyokhealth@gmail.com
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April/May 2013
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[GREETINGS]
Publisher’s Letter Contact Brandy at brandyokhealth @gmail.com
Editor’s Letter Contact Bradley Smith at bradokhealth @gmail.com
April/May 2013 Vol 3 - Issue 4 Publisher/ Editorial Director Brandy Morris (405) 614-5373 brandyokhealth@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief/ Advertising Director Bradley Smith (405) 614-2615 bradokhealth@gmail.com Creative Director Stacy L. Beal - Model Tee stacyokhealth@gmail.com Contributing Writers
Hello everyone,
SPRING HAS SPRUNG OKLAHOMA!
Well we have indicted the groundhog for failing to accurately predict when winter will finally end. It looks like Mother Nature has finally had enough and kicked Old Man Winter out and let spring finally happen. With the blooming of the trees and flowers come the problems many of us face, allergies. I know because I have been hit hard with the sinus headaches associated with them. Take my advice, go to the doctor and get help now before it gets any worse. Now is the time for getting out and running marathons, playing golf, and working outdoors. We have been held up inside because of the weather. Get out, stretch your legs, walk, just move! Exercise sharpens the brain. It helps you mentally focus on the tasks ahead. Its time to get that spring cleaning done. Knock down the cobwebs and open the window and let spring in. It's time to put the winter clothes away and take out the skirts and shorts and enjoy the wonderful outside world around us. Don't forget to take care of your four-legged friends. This time of the year they need their check-up, rabies shots and heartworm prevention. Heartworms are caused by those pesky mosquitoes that aggravate us. Rabies are more likely to be transmitted because animals become more active with warm weather. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this issue. Thank you to all our new writers. We have a wonderful article from Steve Clausen, trainer for the OKC Thunder Girls. We also have a wonderful article from the OKC Thunder about the Thunder Girls. GO THUNDER!!! One last thing, thank you for supporting OK Health and Fitness Magazine. Like us on Facebook to hear more from our writers!
Everyone should be so excited during this time of year because you get to involve yourself with Mother Nature. Becoming a part of doing those necessary chores that are needed to get your yard and home in shape and make it that show place that you can be proud of. Always remember that along with great beautiful weather also comes the snakes, spiders and unwanted pest to your yard. If raking the leaves and picking up dead branches is the job that you are doing, remember to look first where you put your hands because you could get bit. It is always a great idea to wear gloves during these daunting tasks. When bending and lifting something, always remember to lift with your legs and not your back. It is okay to ask for help in lifting something, even though you may think that you can do it by yourself. Compost piles are always great for your garden and the unwanted leaves actually have a great purpose for you to utilize by placing them in a makeshift compost bin. Every week take a shovel or hoe and turn the leaves and grass that you have thrown into the bin to help in airing out the pile and place several layers of regular top soil in with the mixture and within several weeks of doing this you will have great top soil for your fruits, flowers and vegetable gardens. Spray your yard for ticks and fleas to protect your pets and use sprays or mixtures that are safe for the environment, people and animals. In this issue of OK Health and Fitness we have added to our family of contributing writers several clients in the Fitness field and are available to help you in getting yourself in shape. Cody Bobay of Bobay fitness, Steve Clausen of the Lighthouse and Layce of Beast Bodies all are professionals dedicated to helping turn your lives around and helping you achieve your goals for your health and diet needs. We thank them for becoming a part of our family and we look forward to their articles for the future. God Bless Oklahoma and Think and be Healthy!
Brandy Morris Bradley Smith Governor Mary Fallin Lt. Governor Todd Lamb Chris Petermann Amy Petermann Nellie Kelly Shawn Dickenson Steve Clausen Terry Cline, PhD Dr. Steven C. Buck, DO, FACOI Dr. Dominic M. Pedulla, MD, FACC Dr. Mary Martin, MD Dr. Mark Lipe, MD Greg Cameron Karen Walker Cody Bobay Nikki Nguyen Dr. Anureet K. Bajaj, MD Angie Gaines Susan Agel Amy Mitchell Jag Sodhi Caleb McBride Oklahoma City Thunder Layce Arvizu Phillip Murphy, EA Jamie Butemyer Dr. Wendy Murray Jodi Smith Photographers Bradley Smith David Holbrook American Heart Association OK. State Health Department Tulsa Cancer Institute American Cancer Society Ace Cuervo Cody Bobay Marcy Gray OK. Regional Food Bank Susan Agel Amy Mitchell Layne Murdoch Layce Arvizu Leigh Thompson Perkins Veterinary Clinic OKC County Health Department COVER Governor Mary Fallin by David Holbrook OK Health and Fitness is a bi-monthly magazine published 6 times a year. Subscription rates are $24.00 for one year. For subscription inquiries please send an email to: bradokhealth@gmail.com or mail check payable to OK Health and Fitness, 7790 North 39th Road, Tryon, Oklahoma 74875-7701 Copyright 2013 Oklahoma Health and Fitness Magazine LLC and OK Health and Fitness Magazine. All rights are reserved. Reproduction of Articles or Advertisements without the expressed written permission of the Publisher is prohibited. For advertising information, please contact Bradley Smith at 405.614.2615 or e-mail at bradokhealth@gmail.com. OK Health and Fitness magazine assumes no responsibility for the contents of articles or advertisements in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher or any magazine employee or contributor. All Editorial submissions should be sent to brandyokhealth@gmail.com. This publication and all its contents are Copyrighted.
Visit us on the web at www.OKHealthandFitnessMagazine.com
Find us on Facebook! [Brandy Morris, Publisher]
[Bradley Smith, Editor]
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April/May 2013
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Snuffing Out Secondhand Smoke [from Governor Mary Fallin’s Office]
This year, my budget also includes more money to support prescription drug abuse prevention and treatment initiatives to help citizens overcome the challenges of substance abuse and addiction. While these programs are working, we've moved from 49th in the country to 43rd in terms of health outcomes, there still is much work to be done to improve the health of Oklahoma. Seventy percent of illnesses in this state are preventable. If we are going to make significant progress in improving health outcomes, we have to address the state's number one cause of preventable illness and death: tobacco. Oklahoma has the fourth highest smoking rate in the country, as we pay a very high price for that dubious ranking. More than 6,000 Oklahomans die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Many of these men
Governor Fallin with Dr.
and women do not even s m o k e ; 7 0 0 Oklahomans die each year from second-hand smoke, which contains more than 7,000 chemicals, dozens of which can lead to cancer. Those deaths are not only tragic, but they place an unnecessary strain on our family budgets, Special Message from Governor Mary Fallin state budget and our economy. Each year, the our state, our health and our economy. Most use of tobacco products costs Oklahomans Oklahomans know someone who has died of a more than $2 billion in health care costs and smoking-related illness. Both of my parents lost workforce productivity. Smoking costs the died too early because of smoking. average Oklahoma household $550 a year in It's my hope this initiative petition federal and state tax dollars. Health care and can help save someone else's parents, or health insurance costs continue to be pushed someone else's children, from falling sick to upward for smokers and nonsmokers alike illnesses related to smoking and secondhand because of smoking-related illnesses. smoke. By addressing smoking and Approximately 75 percent of secondhand smoke, we can improve our health, Oklahomans do not smoke. They deserve the improve our standard of living and improve our chance to vote on whether or not they want economy. That's why I am working with clean air in public places. If given the chance, I community leaders, health care professionals believe the answer will be a resounding “yes.� and other concerned stakeholders to Oz launch an initiative petition aimed at reducing secondhand smoke. This initiative petition will give Oklahomans the chance to vote on whether or not they want to breathe smoke-free air when they are in public. We've established a Website, http://DontSmokeOnMe.com, where Oklahomans can learn more about this plan. To get involved or to learn more about the effort to address secondhand smoke, I urge you to sign up. The people of Oklahoma know smoking is doing enormous damage to
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To learn more about how you can eat better, move more and be tobacco free, visit www.shapeyourfutureok.com. okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKFRESH
In the last two years, Oklahoma has made great strides in improving our overall health. Programs like the Certified Healthy initiatives are promoting healthier workplaces, schools and communities and helping us tackle health problems like obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.
Student Security in Public Schools A Priority for State Legislature
[by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb]
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STOCKFRESH
As parents we want our children to be healthy and to do well academically, but our first priority is for our children to be safe and secure during their school day. After the tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut last December, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and House Speaker T. W. Shannon asked me to chair the Oklahoma Commission on School Security (OCSS). The OCSS was a statewide, nonpartisan commission comprised of 22 professionals from various fields including local school personnel, law enforcement, emergency response, mental health and parents. I previously served as a special agent with the United States Secret Service. As state senator, I was the principal author of the Oklahoma School Security Act. School security has been a focus of mine for many years. The OCSS members sacrificed their time and provided their expertise to conduct a several week comprehensive analysis of this important issue. Commission meetings included speaker testimony and discussion on the various factors related to school security including but not limited to public safety, access control, physical assessments, training, mental health and local control. The OCSS was given a March deadline in order for recommendations to be placed in bills this legislative session. After okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
Special Message from Lt. Governor Todd Lamb’s Office hearing expert testimony and completing their study, the OCSS released five policy recommendations in the 2013 Report of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security: 1) Formation of the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI) 2) Establish a Mental Health First Aid Training Pilot Program 3) Amend and change state law to consolidate and require safety drills 4) Require the reporting of illegal firearms found on school property to local law enforcement
5)
Establish a school security tip line
At the time of printing deadline, I am happy to report that the recommendations have received unanimous support in the State Senate and will now move to the State House for consideration.
No policy can prevent evil from occurring, but the OCSS's hope is that these recommendations will mitigate and lessen the potential of future large-scale school violence. We want our children to be not only healthy and thrive in our great state, but we want to make sure they remain safe and secure during their school day. The 2013 Report of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security can be viewed in its entirety online at www.ok.gov/ltgovernor.
You may reach us in person or by mail, phone or fax. Address: 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Room 211 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Phone: 405-521-2161 Fax: 405-522-8694 We look forward to hearing from you! April/May 2013
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By Chris and Amy Petermann
Fiscal Fitness
Summer is Around the Corner
and That Means Time to Plan Your Vacation
Here are a few tips to help you save money .
Souvenirs
Research Take the time to plan where you are going and find all the deals. The internet is a great source, another is your local bookstore. There are shelves of books written for travelers for any destination you choose. The cost of the book, in the long run, can save you money. Research will help ensure you find things that you would like to do and not get stuck just doing what everyone else is doing. Plus, you may run across coupons! Last, research will also help you know when the best time to buy tickets for airlines or cruises.
Timing When you take your vacation can save you money. If you can go to places during the off-peak season, when the demand is lower, you can save a lot of money. This means going at the end of May and not the middle of June. Travel guides will list the peak seasons, the best time to go to avoid crowds and what to expect
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for each season and so much more.
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Those wonderful gift shops are always so enticing especially if you have children. One way to save money is to buy all the children disposable cameras, where they are in charge of taking the pictures. At the end of the trip, have the pictures developed and put in each child's photo book. This way, they have mementos of the trip and even better, you get to see the vacation through their perspective.
Meals Booking hotels or motels with a complimentary breakfast is a great way to lower the meal budget. Another is to take bread and sandwich meat, or peanut butter and jelly in your ice chest if you are driving. If you fly to your destination and rent a vehicle, take the time to go to a grocery store and pick up the essentials for snacks and lunches. This way you can splurge on one meal per day and save money. Also, purchase water and beverages from the grocery store instead of buying them
from vending machines at the motel or hotel. It is a lot cheaper buying these items in the store than buying out of a vending machine.
Comparison Shopping Make sure you compare airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc, and make an informed purchase. Read the reviews before you are stuck with bed bugs at the hotel or motel you thought was a great deal. These are just a few ways to save money this year on your vacation. Remember the time away is supposed to be a way to recharge you. Do not let the brief encounter leaving you with financial burdens. Happy Vacation! Payne County Bank, is a 100 percent employee-owner community bank located in Perkins, Oklahoma and Member, FDIC. Find us on the web at www.PayneCountyBank.com. Chris Petermann is a Vice President at Payne County Bank. Amy Petermann, an adjunct professor, taught Personal Finance at the University of Central Oklahoma.
okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY STOCKFRESH
PRIME
Heart Walk Gets Oklahomans Moving to Fight Cardiovascular Disease [by Nellie Kelly Communications Director American Heart Association] coronary artery stents or will need months away from the office to recuperate from a heart attack or a stroke.
Someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 39 seconds. Heart disease also kills more women than any form of cancer combined. Congenital heart defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
It's no exaggeration to say heart disease and stroke are both a national health crisis and a national financial crisis.
One of every three adults in the United States has some form of heart disease today or has had a stroke. Together, heart disease and stroke kill more than 813,000 Americans a year. Almost 65 percent of American adults are overweight or obese, and this number continues to grow. Because of risk factors like obesity and diabetes, these illnesses are affecting Americans at much younger ages than ever. Some experts predict that today's children are not expected to live as long as their parents, which would be the first time in history that an entire generation's life expectancy drops. Beyond the health impact is the financial impact of these illnesses. Health problems cost corporate America nearly $226 billion annually in productivity losses. The cost of treating heart disease and stroke is expected to triple in the next 20 years. That means at least one of every three employees will need expensive ongoing therapy for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure or some other condition. Or they will need even more costly interventions like
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health gives letter grades to several health measures. The State Department of Health gives Oklahoma a D on our state's health report card for heart disease deaths. For stroke, Oklahoma gets an F because our stroke rate is so much higher than the rest of the country.
encourages any kind of physical activity, including walking, swimming, biking and gardening. However, walking has several advantages. First, it has the lowest dropout rate, and the best exercise is the one that a person will stick with the longest. Second, it is a very social activity, so people can walk with their friends, neighbors, children, pets or co-workers. Third, there is no equipment or gym membership fee necessary, thus lessening the financial burden to families. The 2013 Heart Walks will be at 8 a.m. April 20 at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City and at ONEOK Field in Tulsa. Both are 5K, noncompetitive events.
Fruit & Vegetable Consumption, F.
Both walks are free and open to the
No Physical Activity, also an F.
public.
Current Smoking, F.
Many walkers choose to raise money that goes toward American Heart Association research programs. Teams are now forming so walkers can raise money beforehand then come to the Heart Walk to celebrate. To start your team in honor of a loved with heart disease or stroke or simply to support a cause that affects everyone, log on to www.okcheartwalk.org or www.tulsaheartwalk.com, then click “Register.�
The good news is that 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable through diet and exercise changes. The American Heart Association has launched a health and wellness program called My Heart. My Life to guide and influence healthy eating, being physically active, and ultimately improving the health of Americans. The focal point of My Heart. My Life is the Central Oklahoma Heart Walk, which brought 12,000 Oklahomans to Bricktown last year, and the Tulsa Heart and Stroke Walk, which brought 10,000 Tulsans to the Blue Dome District, to exercise. The American Heart Association
American Heart Association 2227 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OK 74105 or 5700 N. Portland Ave. #203 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Office 918-712-4011 Cell 918-550-2728 Fax 918-745-2043 okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Heart disease is the greatest health threat to Americans, and the problem is worse in Oklahoma than in many other states.
The River Side Sand Plum [by Shawn Dickenson]
Fruits and vegetables are rich in phenolic acids. Sand Plums to be specific, help for many reasons: preventing oxidation damage in your body, improving your heart health, allowing better absorption of iron, and strengthening your immune system. Phenolic acids originate in plant cell walls. The maturation of a plant can play a huge part in its phenolic acid production.
Although currently endangered in some states, the Sand Plum still thrives in the perfect conditions. The irrepressible nature of this tree is stemmed from its diverse production of phenolic compounds. When ingested in humans the compounds help in the same way, stemming growth and recovery in the body to help against damage
One of the highest producers of phenolic acid is the Sand Plum. In the dust bowl, many people recall the Sand Plum to be the only tree to bear fruit. The winds were so strong that they broke most of the trees, but not the Sand Plum. Besides ingesting the fruit in its natural state, settlers made juice, wine, salsa, syrup, butter, prunes, cobbler, pies, and your
Riverside Sand Plums have been growing through Oklahoma's harsh conditions since the late 30s. Having survived many decades of diverse weather stints, they are proud to introduce some of its naturally effective benefits to helping maintain a healthy life. The saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but that doctor must not have known about the
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mother and my mother's favorite, jelly.
Sand Plum. The Sand Plum remains unique in flavor and essential to the average diet. At River Side Sand Plums you can find an abundance of this rare fruit for five dollars a pound. They also grow Chickasaw Blackberries ,which are native to Oklahoma. The fruit produced by River Side is 100 percent organic and truly original.
River Side Sand Plums, Luther Oklahoma For More Information Visit www.RiversideSandPlums.com Now Taking Pre-Orders for This years Bloom! info@RiversideSandPlums.com (405) 882-4879 Shawn Dickenson, Neil Pickett, & Thomas Hall III April/May 2013
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The Lighthouse Gym Offers Classes With Thunder Girls Trainer Steve Clausen
[by Steve Clausen]
My name is Steve Clausen. I am the founder of OneHealthyBod. I must start by saying I am honored to have been selected by the Light House to help educate Oklahoma about physical fitness. OneHealthyBod has found the most welcoming home at the Lighthouse.
The beautiful 100,000 square foot facility has afforded Oklahoma City with the only location to provide a sports venue with four full-sized basketball/volleyball courts, six sand volleyball courts, obstacle courses, and a Junior Olympic outdoor pool. Our fitness facility has two indoor pools (a 12 lane lap pool and warm water therapy pool), four exercise
studios, a 90 piece cardio area, free weight area, separate men's and women's Jacuzzi, steam rooms and dry saunas, nursery, juice bar, and a kid's activity zone. I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful facility. The Lighthouse is a great host to OneHealthyBods' challenging and popular “love to hate� boot camps. OneHealthyBod Bootcamp is the #1 Bootcamp in Oklahoma.
Mon.- Fri. 5:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 3333 West Hefner Road Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Phone: (405) 751-3344 http://www.okclighthouse.com
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BRADLEY SMITH
Continued on pg. 31
Improving Our Collective Health
Cabinet Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Terry Cline, joined Gov. Mary Fallin and Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, Rita Aragon at the “Walk for Wellness� at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, May 14, 2012.
Small Changes to Support Healthy Environments Can Have Big Impact PHOTO PROVIDED BY OK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
public health and medical organizations, but improving the health of Oklahomans as a whole requires coming together as communities, workplaces, schools and other groups. Consider the following ideas for making an impact where you live, work or learn.
[by Terry Cline, PhD Commissioner of Health Cabinet Secretary for Health and Human Services] When it comes to national health rankings, Oklahoma doesn't fare well. The state's ranking recently improved from 46th to 43rd in the United Health Foundation's America's Health Rankings report, but the positive change correlates with improvements in the infant mortality rate, immunization coverage for children and low incidence of infectious diseases, among other factors. While these improvements are good for the state, high rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and tobacco use keep our state in the bottom of the rankings. Lowering our rates of preventable and chronic disease is a high priority for many okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
In some communities, there are abundant safe routes for walking with nice sidewalks and well-lit streets, and residents have easy access to grocery stores with fresh produce. In other communities, outdoor exercise is less safe and fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find. To positively impact our collective health, communities can look at ways to make outdoor physical activity safer and healthy foods more accessible. * Identify safe walking routes in the community and mark them clearly. If there are no parks with walking trails, explore sidewalk routes that offer safety and variety for residents and visitors. * Consider hosting a centrally located farmer's market during growing season so residents have easier access to healthy fruits and vegetables. * If grocery stores are limited, work with
convenience stores to stock fresh produce and other healthy foods. People spend a significant portion of their day at work, and for many workers, much of that time is spent sitting. Combine a mostly sedentary day with doughnuts in the break room and fried foods in the cafeteria for lunch and employers pay the price for increased health care costs related to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health concerns. Workplaces can take small steps to support healthy employees and a healthy culture to improve health and reduce costs. * In multi-floor office buildings, post signs encouraging people to use the stairs rather than elevators, and add artwork or motivational posters to stairwells to make them more inviting. Make sure stairwells are clearly marked for workers and visitors. * In single-level buildings, identify safe walking routes around or near the building, and create simple maps that identify the walking routes. Continued on pg. 31 For more info go to www.shapeyourfutureok.com. April/May 2013
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Lung Cancer Survivors Joining the Ranks
[by Dr. Steven C. Buck, D.O., F.A.C.O.I. and member Internatioanl Study of Lung Cancer (ISLC group)] sometimes even more rapid and complete than chemotherapy. Detailed patient clinical trial records have demonstrated that an oral blocker (erlotinib or crizotinib) can work better than two chemotherapy agents combined together and with significantly less toxicity and less risk to the patient. This improvement in response allows other options and treatments to be delayed and used only as necessary later in the care of this subtype of lung cancer.
These improvements in therapy have resulted from a complex array of diagnostic subdivisions. Tulsa Cancer Institute (TCI) encourages our primary care physicians, surgeons, radiologists and pulmonologists to involve TCI as early as possible in the treatment evaluations. We closely evaluate by using history and physical examination along with the initial lab and x-rays to decide where is the safest area to obtain adequate tissue. This does not just diagnose the tumors as malignant, but begins the process of sub-classification and molecular/gene analysis of the tumors characteristics.
These mutations are very complex and each one is named with what begins to sound like an alphabet soup using abbreviations like EGFR, EML4-ALK and ROS1. The names represent a cascade of signals, enzymes and changes that occur in these cancerous growths. Other mutations like KRAS demonstrate drug resistance. The molecular aspects of medicine are making the evaluations and pretreatment decisions more important. Resistance can and does occur and although we have not found the cure, we are able to help maintain an improved quality of life and longer survival. Our patients continue to function and interact with their co-workers, friends and families. They are able to remain in their homes and return to outpatient care appointments, avoiding most hospitalizations.
Gene mutations (changes in the inner instructions) occur in a very small percentage of adenocarcinomas and can drive the malignant cells to proliferate and grow. At TCI we are optimistic about seeing these patients. Scientists have already developed drugs that can inhibit these growth signals and bring about responses and tumor shrinkage that is
Surgery may be curative for more limited stages (I & II), but many patients may relapse from small metastasis that are not visible to the surgeon or standard radiographic studies. Our job is to avoid surgery whenever it would not be of benefit. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning has been a major breakthrough in detecting smaller metastatic
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lesions. PET scanning utilizes the inherent continuous growth of malignant cells (which are more active). This preferential uptake can be demonstrated with the use of a radioactive glucose molecule that localizes into the tumor and demonstrates the tumor locations and size on the PET scan. This test has helped to more accurately match patients to the right treatment approach. At Tulsa Cancer Institute we look for what we know now about the malignant cells and stage and we apply it to the treatment of each individual's cancer. We participate in many research protocols that compare the best current treatment to what we hope may be either a better treatment or less toxic treatment. TCI offers many clinical trials that are attempting to answer these and similar questions. It does take time and effort to meet the FDA and research guidelines, but we want more people to participate in the improvement of the outcome for these and other cancers. What we know today is not enough. We need to keep accurate and detailed records on more of our patients so their data can be used to note the small differences in care that are being established. With each small step of improvement , we hope to see more survivors and someday even metastatic lung cancer patients can hope for a cure in their individualized care plan. Tulsa Cancer Institute 12697 E. 51st Street S Tulsa, OK 74146 www.tciok.org 918.505.3200 okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TULSA CANCER INSTITUTE
Despite the very serious prognosis (outlook) of lung cancer, some people are cured. More than 350,000 people alive today have been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point. Just five to ten years ago, almost all lung cancer patients with metastasis expired in the first months after their diagnosis and very few lived into their second year and beyond. Now thirty percent of advanced stage lung cancer patients are survivors in their fifth year and are willing to reach out and communicate with newly diagnosed patients and help them find hope as they complete their staging evaluations and treatment planning.
Put Some Spring In Your Step
But the cosmetic reasons are not the only cause to take a second look at your varicose veins. When the temperature rises, a lot of people notice swelling in their legs. When you are more active, your varicose veins may produce more pain. Almost everyone with varicose veins will notice a “heavier” feeling in their legs during the summer months. The good news is that a quick laser procedure can turn all those negative summer symptoms into healthier, beautiful legs. Here's what you need to know about varicose vein laser therapy:
Varicose Vein Laser Therapy Is Almost Painless That's right, I said almost painless. Compared to the old surgical stripping method, new laser technology produces a little discomfort from pressing on the varicose veins. The few minutes of pressure feels like nothing compared to the daily discomfort of varicose veins.
Varicose Vein Laser Therapy Is Fast It takes about an hour to complete a procedure. Let's say you check in at 10a.m. We'll plan to have you out by 11:00 so you can grab a bite to eat and go back to work after lunch.
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Varicose Vein Laser Therapy Is Effective We have a better than 99 percent success rate on treating with our laser. Because all our diagnostic equipment is in our office, you can rest assured that our ultrasound results and our treatment plan is based on the most advanced methods available.
Varicose Vein Laser Therapy is Gentle The old fashioned surgical stripping method left most legs with scars that were a telltell sign of the veins that were there before. Laser therapy offers a much more gentle approach. There are no incisions, cutting or stitches to worry about. The laser power works through a small laser fiber inserted directly into the vein. This tiny fiber carries the laser power exactly where we want it to go as we watch it on an ultrasound view of your varicose vein. We'll have you back on your feet moving around to stimulate the blood flow as soon as your procedure is over.
Varicose Vein Laser Therapy Is Covered By Insurance Most insurance companies recognize that varicose vein treatment is more than a cosmetic issue. We constantly hear talk of changes in coverage, but for now we see good reimbursement. If you want to know what your insurance may cover, feel free to call our office for an estimate. So are you ready to take the next step? First you'll talk with your vein specialist about you symptoms and he'll do a visual inspection of
the veins. Most of the time a doctor can spot them right away, however some patients have veins located deep within the top layers of skin which aren't readily visible. That's why we take the second step, an ultrasound evaluation. The ultrasound gives us an overall picture of your vein system, and shows where the blockages exist. Sometimes those blockages are near the varicose vein, and sometimes the problem is in another location and the vein is simply a symptom of the larger problem. It also provides the documentation that your insurance company will want to approve treatment. Your doctor will provide feedback from the ultrasound so that you can make an informed decision about your care. Every day we treat patients who say they “only wished they had done it sooner.” The ease of today's laser therapy takes away the stress and strain of the old-fashioned procedures. There's no doubt that it will put the spring back in your step!
Dominic Pedulla MD is a board certified cardiologist specializing in varicose veins. His office offers no obligation, free consultations for people interested in having their veins evaluated. Call his office today at (405) 947-2228 3300 NW 56th Street, OKC, OK. okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR PEDULLA
It's the time of year that many of our patients tend to notice their varicose veins more than ever. If you're like everyone else, you're probably thinking about getting a little more fit for summer. Let's face it, we're more active in summer and we tend to show more skin. The winter woolens get put away, and out come the shorts.
Men and Women Regain Youthfulness With SottoPelle Hormone Pellet Therapy ®
[by Dr. Mary W. Martin, MD] Imagine feeling and looking younger, living longer, loving better— without using artificial drugs that mask physical aches associated with aging or stimulate the body unnaturally. A growing number of men and women are discovering the extraordinary benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) utilizing specially designed pellets to restore the body's hormones to more youthful levels. As we age, our bodies produce lower levels of hormones. Most women over 45 are deficient in estrogen or testosterone. And by the time they are in their 50s, men have lost 20 to 60 percent of hormonal production. This can be serious, because men who have low testosterone are three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's, and their life span can be lessened by up to 10 years. Replacing lost hormones can slow down or even reverse some of the symptoms of aging, such as low energy, memory loss and
diminished libido. BHRT can also help minimize symptoms associated with certain chronic illnesses, including diabetes, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and more. Unfortunately, BHRT is sometimes confused, even in the medical community, with synthetic hormone replacement therapy, which has been linked to serious side effects. Unlike synthetic hormones, bio-identical hormones are produced from plants, and are molecularly identical to the human body's own hormones. That means they can be more easily recognized and metabolized in the body. Sottopelle® pellets are so tiny that they can be placed just underneath the skin to allow for a more natural release of hormones only as the body needs them, for up to six months. Your body has complete control over the dose that's released and you don't have to remember to take a handful of pills every morning or rub on a night cream. This therapy is
designed to allow the body to become as close to physiologically normal as it used to be. Some patients have reported that SottoPelle® Hormone Pellet Therapy Can Help: Depression * Weight Gain * Osteoporosis Heart Disease * Diabetes Alzheimer's * Libido * Energy Mary Martin MD, FACOG is one of a few InterStim® specialists in Oklahoma. As an OBGYN, she feels so strongly about being able to help patients gain control that she offers a FREE Consultation. Her staff is happy to assist with your insurance precertification and claims. Visit her OAB website at www.OklahomaBladderControl, and call her at 405-272-2706.
Oklahoma Allergies th Rank 6 in US Study [by Dr. Mark Lipe, MD] It's that time of year… the coughing, the hacking, the sneezing! You can't control it, and no amount of over-the-counter antihistamine seems to curb the symptoms. It's allergies, but at least you are in good company! Oklahoma City was ranked 6th by Forbes magazine in their Top 100 Worst Cities For Allergies report, with a total allergy score of 90.57. We use more allergy medications per person than 94 percent of major cities. The amount of money that we spend on allergy medicines in Oklahoma is almost triple the annual average cost of $86 per person in the US. Of course, this is not news to people with allergies. The only way to really stop allergies in their tracks is to create your own immunity to those things to which you react. Until recently, that meant enduring needle sticks to test for allergy reactions, then okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
physician monitored, weekly allergy shots to help your body build tolerance to the allergen. But now, there is a better, more convenient way! Under the tongue (sublingual) drops are making a big splash in allergy prone cities because they are safe, effective and easy to use. They are made from the same FDA approved serum that doctors have used for years as a shot, but it has been reconfigured so you can take it daily under the tongue. Taking it under the tongue offers several distinct advantages: 1) No weekly visits to the clinic 2) Less risk of anaphylactic shock than shots, no waiting time 3) Daily dosage builds faster immunity over weekly shots 4) Easy to take on the road, vacation or business trips
5) No painful needle sticks 6) Approved for children and infants If the pain of allergy shots has kept you from allergy testing, it's time to spend 30 minutes in the office testing for physician prescribed sublingual allergy drops. Are you ready to kiss the coughing and sneezing goodbye? Dr. Lipe’s research and the World Health Organizations endorsement of sublingual drops led him to open Allergy Arts of Oklahoma, located at 3300 NW 56th Street. Dr. Lipe welcomes patients to a FREE CONSULTATION. Call him at (405)571-0033 to schedule an appointment. Visit his website at AllergyArtsOk.com April/May 2013
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Slip! Slop! Slap! Wrap! American Cancer Society Encourages Sun Safety
[by Greg Cameron]
Most forms of skin cancer are highly
curable. Melanoma accounts for than less than five percent of all skin cancer cases, but the majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the past 30 years. The American Cancer Society estimates 750 Oklahomans will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2013. Sun protection is important to remember every day, not just when you are spending time at the swimming pool or playing at the beach. “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!� is a phrase created by the American Cancer Society to help you remember the four steps to take to help protect yourself from harmful UV rays: Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat
and wrap on sunglasses. Using clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts to cover the skin is the best protection against exposure to UV rays. A good rule to remember is that if you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too. So keep in mind covering up doesn't block out all UV rays. Here are some tips to remember when using sunscreen. Choose sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The higher the number equals more protection. Apply sunscreen properly and generously by following the directions on the label. Reapply at least every 2 hours and more often if you are swimming or sweating and especially after you towel yourself off. Wearing a hat with a wide brim at least 2 to 3 inches all around provides the best protection for the ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. Wearing the appropriate type of sunglasses will protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them. Be sure to check the labels and choose sunglasses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Continued on pg. 35 To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Greg Cameron American Cancer Society Phone: 512.919.1916 Email: Greg.cameron@cancer.org
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Did you know that skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types? And did you know that more than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States? That's more than any other cancers combined! The number of skin cancer cases has been increasing over the past few decades, which gives you more reasons to take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from the sun, but some may come from man-made sources, such as indoor tanning lamps.
Oklahoman's Benefit From a Little Help From
Martin Sheen [by Karen Walker]
One in four of all admissions to our nation's hospitals are directly related to untreated mental illness or addiction and the associated medical costs are substantial. Comparatively speaking, alcohol is more toxic to the major organs of the body than any other drug. According to research by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, people who abuse alcohol tend to neglect their health and nutrition. Those who drink large
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Karen Walker, 12 & 12 Director of Operations with Martin Sheen quantities of alcohol have the poorest eating habits and consequently those who drink smaller amounts of alcohol have better diets. A 2009 study from Washington State reports that chemical dependency treatment significantly reduces the associated medical costs for consumers with chronic medical conditions, including mental illness and substance abuse by $210 per member, or $2,520 per year. Chronic alcohol use can cause nutritional deficiencies resulting in a malfunctioning brain and body. The alcoholic's ability to function physically and cognitively can be significantly impacted and may be exhibited in a variety of undesirable and even dangerous psychological and physical symptoms. When an alcoholic quits drinking they have to learn to function emotionally and physically without alcohol. 12 & 12 realizes the importance of nutrition and healthy eating for those recovering from the debilitating effects of alcoholism.
Healthy menus include foods full of nutrients, designed to heal both the mind and body. In order to fully embrace providing healthier foods for those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction, 12 & 12 needed to remodel an outdated kitchen as many appliances had not been replaced in more than 20 years. The task of updating the kitchen was accomplished with the assistance of our 12-1212 fundraising event with guest speaker Martin Sheen, an established actor and passionate activist for addiction treatment. Addiction has Continued on pg. 45 http://www.12and12.org 12&12, Inc. 6333 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OK 74135 Local Phone: (918)664-4224 Toll Free: 1-800-680-8979 Fax: (918)663-0203 okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ACE CUERVO
Nearly one in every 13 adults in the United States abuse alcohol or are alcoholic, making it the nation's third leading cause of preventable death after smoking and obesity. Alcohol is popular, socially accepted, legal and the most commonly used drug in the United States today. One of the major difficulties with the disease of alcoholism is that it isn't always easy to figure out what the triggers are. Each person with the disease is unique with an individual combination of contributing factors that need to be sorted and addressed. We do know, however that alcoholism runs in families and can be genetically transmitted. The reality of Alcoholism is that it is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that when left untreated destroys lives and negatively impacts those around them including family members, employers, friends and countless others. April has for the past 27 years, been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, which was initially designed to increase public awareness of the need for chemical dependency treatment and to decrease the stigma surrounding alcoholism. Public awareness of the disease and the walls of denial of alcoholism as a moral issue must be eliminated so alcoholics everywhere can get the treatment they need. While the need for educating the public regarding alcoholism as a disease is important, access to available treatment is vital. Currently in Oklahoma there is an estimated 600-900 people on waiting lists for chemical dependency treatment beds, making it difficult for people who want help to access treatment.
FITNESS
Lose 40 lbs. in 1 Day “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Vikto Frankl
[by Cody Bobay]
PHOTO COURTESY OF CODY BOBAY
I hope this article finds you doing well! We are well into 2013 and I am sure with all of our lives there have been highs and lows. I am sure with all of the highs and lows we have experienced there is one constant, that when these times happen, our mental disposition changes. There is a mental shift that happens in all of our lives when we experience great times and when we experience difficult, stressful times. The high points can make us feel invincible, and low points can make us feel like we can't do anything right. Throughout these different mountains and valleys there is one thing we can control, one thing we need to control, and that one thing is our attitude. As a fitness trainer one of the main things I help people realize is that they are not defined by their circumstances, good or bad, they are identified by their thinking. When I first got into the fitness industry seven and a half years ago I realized that diets would fail because people put too much emphasis on the action of eating rather than the cause of that action. And the cause of our diets, good or bad, is our thinking. Learning this led me to write my book, Lose 40lbs in 1 Day. My book and my life's mission is to encourage people to realize the importance of changing their daily thinking to impact every area of their life. Only then will someone experience lasting change in his or her life. My book helps you make a mental shift to believe you can do anything you put your mind to, realize the importance of never giving up, and I have set up a 40 day journey for you to walk out the four fundamentals found in my book. After releasing my book in July of 2012 I went on a book tour where I spoke in church services, at Christian Universities and different corporations in Oklahoma to inspire people to have a Lose 40lbs in 1 Day moment. I share the secret to true success is finding the true “why” for life, and allowing that “why” consume everyone's subconscious mind. When your mind is focused every day on your why, okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
getting healthy is no longer a good idea, it is a necessary component to the life you were created to live. My good friend, and Vice President of Operations at Teleflora, Amas Tenumah always says, “when you find the why, the how is easy.” So I challenge you to find the “why” with your life. Once you do that, the “how” like Amas says, “be easy.” In my book are fundamentals that are the simple “how's” of living healthy that anyone can apply not matter what their income levels or their lifestyle. Also to help with the “how” you can use BOBAYFITNESS.COM for free meal plans, workout plans, and motivational videos from me and our team at Bobay Fitness. Once you find your why I want to encourage you to purchase my book on A m a z o n . c o m o r Bobayfitness.com. It will be the tool that you're looking for to make a lasting change. And before you start your 40 day journey in my book, here are three steps I want you to take: · Set S.M.A.R.T. goals. Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound goals. These goals will keep you on track through the good times and the bad times, they will help you not get distracted in your journey to optimal health. So take a moment with a pen and paper and actually write down your goals. · Share your goal with one or two people. Once you do this you will have positive peer pressure in your life, and you won't allow a mental shift from a high or a low point distract you. You will be the captain of your body, and that is a wonderful thing.
· Eat Less and Move More: This is the motto of Bobay Fitness and this is the “how” of healthy living. If you consume fewer calories than you burn every day you will be on track to your optimal weight. This “how” is simple in science on paper, but as humans we face a lot of obstacles that we need to have a clear why, S.M.A.R.T. goals, and accountability to help us stay on track. I hope this blesses your life and I pray you experience the healthiest you possible this year! Remember it all starts with your thinking! Cody Bobay, NASM CPT, PES, CES www.bobayfitness.com info@bobayfitness.com Like us on Facebook, Bobay Fitness April/May 2013
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[by Jennifer Hladik]
Ingrown Toe Nails Can Be Troublesome
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCY GRAY
[by Nikki Nguyen] My name is Nikki and I am the owner of Her Nail Salon. I have more than 21 years of experience in working with nails. My primary concern when you come to my salon is your comfort and safety. My clients appreciate the fact that I practice safe hygiene. My salon and instruments are clean. I sanitize my instruments with my clients present for their peace of mind. I take the time to get to know my clients, and learn what they do. I keep up with the latest trends in nail technology. I am constantly updating the salon with the latest products, procedures and trends in nail care. NexGen Nails are the latest trend that has hit the market. Stop in and let me introduce you to them. I also do solar nails, French nails, sculptured nails, silk wrapped nails and basic nails. I can also do custom design nails. I also have two manicure packages and two pedicure packages available. In my many years of experience with working with nails and doing pedicures, I have had many clients that have come to me with an ingrown toe nail. When I ask them what happened, the usual response is “I seemed to have clipped it too short.� But you can get ingrown toe nails in numerous ways, from improperly clipping them or wearing the wrong shoes. Ingrown toe nails are painful and if left unattended, the resulting treatment to solve the problem usually involves a trip to the doctor.
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Ingrown toe nails can be prevented, they usually occur when you clip the corner of your toe nail too short and the skin around the nail gets irritated when the nail grows back, it grows into the soft flesh of the toe. The safest bet to avoid them is to trim the nail across and not curved to match the shape of your toe. Ingrown toe nails are treatable at home. Soak your feet in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day. After cleaning and soaking your feet, take a cotton ball and take a small amount and twist it to make a thin thread that you can work up under the edge of the toe nail. This will help keep the nail away from the soft flesh and eventually as the nail grows it will grow away from the soft skin. You can also add a small amount of antibiotic cream to the affected area to help fight any infection you may have. If you can, wear sandals and let your feet breathe. It can take some time to heal. Be patient. If you start seeing pus, and the pain
becomes too much, its time to see a doctor. Your doctor can help with other care options that may include oral antibiotics, removing part or all of the nail, or a combination of treatments. With spring and summer just around the bend, now is the time to keep your feet and toe nails properly cared for. Stop by and see my shop. Her Nail Salon is located in the Split T Shopping Center at 5701 N. Western Ave. Monday Through Friday 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Sunday Closed http://www.hernailsalon.com Like us on Facebook! April/May 2013
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Mother's Day is Coming Are You Thinking About a Mommy Makeover?
What is a Mommy Makeover? A mommy makeover describes a series of procedures that some women undergo to help restore their pre-pregnancy bodies. As any woman will tell you, our bodies change in many ways after having children. Not only do our abdomens have to stretch to accommodate the growing child, but also our breasts engorge to help provide milk for our baby. Once these changes are no longer necessary, our skin will contract to varying degrees trying to return our bodies to their pre-pregnancy states. However, some women may find that they have excess skin in the lower abdomen. Others may find that they have breasts that have lost volume and “sag.” A mommy makeover describes the cosmetic procedures that can be done to correct these changes and may include an abdominoplasty (also known as a “tummy tuck”), liposuction, and either a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation. A recent article in the Today Moms (http://www.today.com/moms/love-my-kidshate-my-body-real-moms-speak-out1B8328835) explained how the body part moms hated the most was their post-pregnancy abdomen, so I will focus on that procedure in this article. Nevertheless, I caution all patients who are considering these procedures either
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alone or in combination to consider several factors. These surgeries are body contouring procedures, not weight loss procedures. To ensure that you have a good, long-lasting result, you should be at your goal weight for at least six months. An abdominoplasty is done to remove the excess skin and fat between your belly button and pubic bone that you can pinch. After childbirth, this skin doesn't always contract completely and may also have stretch marks. Keep in mind, that if you have stretch marks above your belly button, they will most likely not be removed. During the surgery, some surgeons will also tighten your rectus muscles, as our abdomens stretch for a baby, the rectus abdominis muscles (your “six-pack” muscles) may also separate. An abodominoplasty is usually performed under a general anesthetic and can take two to four hours in length. Some surgeons will use drains and a post-operative compression garment (medical Spanx) as well. Many patients may choose to spend one night in the hospital while others may choose to go home the same day as surgery. Generally, the longer your surgery takes and the more complex the procedures, the more likely that your surgeon will recommend an overnight hospital stay. While the first three days after surgery are the worst in terms of pain and discomfort, most women can be back at work between two to three weeks depending on how strenuous their job is. The difficult part of the recovery for most women is that they are moms, they still have to care for their families. I usually advise patients that they will be unable to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for at least two weeks after surgery. For many women, these restrictions may mean making sure that there is adequate
help at home. Occasionally, liposuction of the hips, flanks (the area around your waist), or thighs may be done at the same time. As I said earlier, these are body contouring procedures. In other words, surgery is not going to give you a sixpack even after the abdominal muscles are tightened, nor is surgery going to help you lose weight. In an ideal world, body contouring procedures help remove skin and fat that is unresponsive to diet and exercise in an individual of normal weight. For example, the skin on the lower abdomen after childbirth, or the excess fat deposition along the outer thighs or waist area. While these body-contouring surgeries will result in an improved contour, they may not result in a change in your clothing size; more likely, they will affect how your clothes drape and fit. The swelling and bruising will take several weeks to resolve which means that you may initially notice an increase in the numbers on the scale. Most patients will continue to see changes and decreased swelling over the next two to six months. It is also important to remember that it can take up to one year for the scars to fade. As always, I urge all women to do their homework before having surgery. Make sure that you see a qualified surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Ask where the surgery will be performed and make sure that it is an accredited facility. Also, ask to look at photos and make sure that you like and trust your surgeon. Bajaj Plastic Surgery is located at 6205 N. Santa Fe, Suite 105, OKC, OK 405-810-8448. www.bajajplasticsurgery.com okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKFRESH
Invariably, I receive many questions about the “mommy makeover” this time of year. Some of this interest has to do with the change in weather. As By Dr. Anureet the weather gets warmer and K. Bajaj the days longer, we begin thinking about spending more time out doors or at the pool and part has to do with the fact that Mothers Day is fast-approaching.
FOODIES
hether you grow your own vegetables or shop the produce aisle in your grocery store, garden-fresh vegetables add beautiful color and great taste to the table. Ree Drummond, known to her fans as The Pioneer Woman, is raising four active kids on a working cattle ranch in Oklahoma and has written two best-selling cookbooks. She says she loves to find new ways to put more delicious veggies on her family's table. “I get so excited about my garden — maybe a little too excited!” Drummond says. “Sometimes I literally have vegetables coming out my ears. Fortunately, I've got four kids who love to pick just about anything I plant, so everything gets harvested on time — if not a little earlier.” “When I bring those veggies into my kitchen, nothing shows off their fresh flavor like a little bit of butter — or, even better, Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. I love this product because it comes in pre-measured, one-quarter cup sticks of butter. That makes prep easier, because so many of my recipes, like my Pasta Primavera, call for just 2 to 4 tablespoons of butter.” If you don't have a vegetable garden or can't always get fresh produce, don't despair. Flash-frozen vegetables retain much of their flavor and nutrient value. Thaw vegetables before using them in these recipes, or just heat them through and toss with high-quality butter for an easy side dish. When they taste this good, kids will be saying, “More veggies, please!” Ree Drummond has partnered with Land O'Lakes and blogs at www.ThePioneerWoman.com. Find more garden-fresh recipes at www.LandOLakes.com.
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Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt was awarded a 2013 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Award in the butter category.
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[by Angie Gaines]
One in four children in Oklahoma knows what hunger feels like. A fifth grader recently shared, “I know what hunger feels like. My Mom works, but they don't pay her a lot. Plus, she has to pay the rent and the rent is $500. People suffer a lot because their parents don't have money to get them something to eat.” If someone struggling with hunger was standing right in front of you, do you think you would know? Hunger has many faces, children who act up in class on Monday morning because they haven't had anything to eat since lunch at school on Friday. Seniors who make a jar of peanut butter and some crackers last through the end of the month so they can afford to fill a prescription. Parents who work two jobs to make ends meet and skip meals so that their children can eat. For thousands of Oklahomans, hunger is a daily battle that doesn't always have a happy ending. One in six of our neighbors struggle with the pain of hunger every day. This feeling of emptiness overpowers them and becomes their main focus, how can I provide food for myself, and my family? Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of many Oklahomans, the Oklahoma Food Banks are here to help. Together, the Regional Food bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma provide hope, in the form of food, for more than 160,000 Oklahomans every week. The Food Banks work with nearly 1,500 partner agencies and nearly 700 elementary, middle and high schools to distribute food to
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our neighbors. The Oklahoma Food Banks are committed to their mission of Fighting Hunger…Feeding Hope in our state. Hunger can happen to anyone at any time. Many who have stable and thriving jobs today, could find themselves in need of assistance tomorrow. Job loss, death, illness and unforeseen, lifechanging circumstances change financial situations from “making ends meet” to “not making it at all.” Many of the clients served by the Oklahoma Food Banks are the working poor and the underemployed. That means they simply do not make enough money to financially provide for their families and need assistance to help pay for necessities, like food. The nonprofits also help fight childhood hunger in Oklahoma, where one in four children may go to bed hungry. The organizations assist chronically hungry children through their partner agencies and schools. The Food for Kids Program helps alleviate childhood hunger through the Backpack Program, School Pantries, and Summer Feeding and Kids Cafe sites. Backpack Program Through the Backpack Program, children receive a backpack full of kid-friendly, nonperishable and nutritious food on Friday to sustain them over weekends and school holidays. Last school year, nearly 21,000 students in 670 schools statewide participated in the Backpack Program. School Pantry Program The School Pantry Program provides chronically hungry middle and high school students, who are identified by school personnel, with food to sustain them after school and over the weekends. The School Pantry Program ended last school year serving 42 middle and high schools in 13 counties and
the Regional Food Bank expects that number to more than double, pending funding. Kids Café Kids Cafe, an after school and summer program provides food, mentoring, tutoring, and a variety of other activities to approximately 1,400 at-risk children at 22 sites in Central and Western Oklahoma. Summer Feeding Program The Summer Feeding program provides nutritious food to children at selected sites throughout Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. The Summer Feeding Program will provide a free breakfast, lunch or both to children ages 1-18 beginning in early June. The Oklahoma Food Banks always needs three things: food, friends and funds. Nonperishable food donations are distributed through a network of partner agencies throughout the state. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Food Banks, allowing us to save millions in labor costs annually and with administrative and fund raising costs below five percent, financial donations are used efficiently and effectively to feed our hungry neighbors. Both organizations are turning to the community to help raise food and funds on May 11 through the Letter Carriers' Food Drive. Residents will receive a plastic donation bag the week of May 6th in their mailbox. Fill the bag with nonperishable, in-date canned food items and leave it by your mail box for your letter carrier to pick up. Last year, more than $1 million and one million pounds of food were raised statewide to fight hunger. Together we can solve hunger. To learn more, visit http://regionalfoodbank.org or call 405.604.7109. Visit http://cfbeo.org or call 918.585.2800. okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OK REGIONAL FOOD BANK
Hunger isn't just a word, it's a feeling. When was the last time you were hungry, really hungry? Maybe you had a late dinner, skipped a meal because of a meeting, or limited your calories because of a diet. You may have even said that you were “starving,” but what did that really mean?
Continued from pg. 14 Let me fill you in on my interests as well as some of my clients so you can get to know who I am and what I'm about. I am the official trainer of two NBA dance teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder Girls and the Golden State Warrior Girls. I also take great pride in training the Tulsa 66er's Dance Team, University of Central Oklahoma Pom Squad, University of Oklahoma Pom/Cheer Squad and Tulsa University Spirit Squad. I am also the official trainer for Anthony David Modeling Agency and the trainer and promoter of Oklahoma City's Biggest Loser Competition. I have helped multiple professional level bikini and figure competitors achieve their goals and I host an amazing competition for bodybuilding/figure/bikini/male physique athletes and Crossfit athletes each fall at the Cox Convention center called, the Oklahoma City Classic. I stand strong in hosting a great event for drug-free competitors. My passions reach far and wide in the fitness industry, but all of my clients are reaching for one common goal despite their differences. This goal is simply fitness. Although some more extreme than others, I hold myself accountable in understanding what each individual wants to achieve. I am greatly rewarded by the changes I see each and every day within the people I train. I have built my days around eating guidelines, cardio and weight training regimens and I honestly love it! That's why I get results. I put everything I have in educating the people I train to become not just better, but greater than they were before they started.
I like to hear a client say, "I'm back into my skinny jeans." I LOVE to hear a client say, " I'm off of my blood pressure and diabetic medications." I'm here in each issue of OK Health and Fitness to help the readers get something informative to apply to not only life but living! Cardio, eating guidelines, workouts, weight loss, weight gain, fads or facts. Whatever you
want to hear about is what I'm going to write about. Please send your topic request to Steve@onehealthybod.com I believe exercise does the body, mind and spirit good and I want to share what I know with you. OneHealthyBod Your progress is my passion
Continued from pg. 15 * Encourage employees to take physical activity breaks periodically during the day. A tenminute walk around the building twice a day gives employees a break from their desk and can help employees refocus for their next task. * Incorporate healthier options into standard office practices, such as fruits, vegetables, and water available at meetings rather than doughnuts and sugary drinks.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRADLEY SMITH
* Form a wellness committee to coordinate activities and help implement wellness or nutritional guidelines for the office environment. * Reduce secondhand smoke exposure for employees and create a supportive environment for employees who want to stop using tobacco. Consider implementing a tobacco-free workplace policy and display information for the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. Visit www.okhelpline.com for more information. At the school level, there are nutrition standards set for school breakfast and lunch and USDA standards are in progress for competitive foods, which include a la carte meal items and vending machines. Those standards often extend to school-sponsored events, but what happens in the individual classroom can vary greatly. Standards related to school parties or items sold as fundraisers are less common. okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
Most health advocates working toward healthier schools aren't saying that every piece of dessert needs to be banned, but a balance of options can help kids learn about healthy choices. School leaders can make small policy changes that support healthy environments for students and staff. * Start small in identifying ways to create a healthy school culture, consider a single birthday celebration day per month and make fruits and vegetables an option at staff meetings and class parties. * Try rewarding good behavior or winning teams with non-food rewards, such as stickers, extra recess, free time in the gym, or tickets to spend in a special school store with ageappropriate non-food choices. Survey kids regarding what reward items they want to see in the store, and work with families or local merchants to stock the store. * Implement a farm-to-school program or school garden so kids learn more about where their food comes from and how to make fresh foods into healthy meals. Faith communities can also play a role in helping Oklahomans be healthier. As with other environments, change can be taken slowly with a focus on balance of healthy options to create a supportive environment and help both adults and kids learn about healthy
choices. * Consider adding fruit cups as an option to coffee gatherings after services. * Create walking groups that balance exercise with faith reflections to get members moving more. * Replace candy or sugary rewards for kids' groups with kid-friendly fruits, like apple slices, bananas, oranges or baby carrots. * Discuss a tobacco free policy for all facilities and events and display Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline materials to offer support for tobacco users who want to quit. Visit www.okhelpline.com for more information. All the above ideas are relatively small changes to implement, especially if taken in steps, to help make communities, workplaces and schools healthier for the benefit of everyone. There may be some cost involved with certain initiatives, but the investment is minimal when compared to the costs of obesity and tobacco use in our state. By committing as individuals and groups to eat better, move more and be tobacco free, we can make a difference in the collective health of Oklahoma and see our state higher on the list of health rankings.
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BABIES
ON BOARD
Giving Homeless Children a Brighter Future [by Susan Agel]
Their father has been suicidal and deals with mental illness. Their mother recently was released from prison after serving a year for a nonviolent offense. The children have often been hungry and own few clothes and no toys. The four oldest ones enrolled March 1 in Positive Tomorrows, their fourth school since August. Positive Tomorrows is a privately funded elementary school and family services agency, focused solely on providing education for homeless children. The school is regionally accredited by AdvancED (formerly NCA CASI) and Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Consortium, and is a partner agency with United Way of Central Oklahoma. According to a study by the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH), there were 27,413 homeless children in Oklahoma in 2010. In addition, families with children make up the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. Due to the environment in which they live and grow, homeless children face delays in ability to learn before they even start school. Eric Jensen, in his book Teaching With Poverty In Mind, addresses the fact that children of poverty often live with constant stress—stress of
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not know where they'll sleep at night, if they'll have dinner, inadequate supervision, and many other factors. The cumulative effects of chronic stress actually cause changes in brain development, making it difficult for children to learn. And there are many other health issues faced by homeless children. According to the NCFH, homeless children are sick four times as much as other children. They go hungry at twice the rate of other children, have higher rates of obesity due to nutritional deficiencies and have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to other children. Homeless children often have poor sleep habits. Shelters can be crowded and noisy, and require everyone to get up very early, making for a short night. When two or three families share a small apartment, the adults usually get the bedrooms and the children end up on the floor in the living area. Homeless children are difficult for DHS workers to track. If a teacher, health care worker, or other adult asks DHS to check on a child's welfare, it's not unusual for DHS to find that the family has moved from their most recent address. Homeless parents are stressed beyond belief. They struggle on a daily basis to feed the family, find shelter, and stay alive. They may also be hiding from an abusive spouse. Parents often don't have the emotional or educational resources to pay attention to their children, read books, or offer emotional security. To meet these needs, Positive Tomorrows offers small class sizes, 16 students
in a classroom with a certified teacher and a teacher's aide. Lessons differentiate according to a child's needs and a full battery of tests is available when needed, thanks to a partnership with the educational psychology lab at the University of Central Oklahoma. Hot breakfast and lunch are provided to all students every day. Sleepy children are not scolded, but given a place to nap and prepare to learn. Families of students receive support from case managers who help them determine their needs and develop goals and strategies to move out of homelessness. Counselors are available to work with students and their families to address psychological and emotional needs. Positive Tomorrows offers an afterschool program and day camps during school breaks to provide homeless children with experiences they often miss. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire are available, along with ice skating, yoga, and art. Field trips to the zoo, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History and many other venues are held often. Positive Tomorrows' goal is not only to help meet needs of homeless children, but also to provide children with hope for the future. According to Jensen's book, hope changes brain chemistry. And beyond that, hopeful children try harder and persist longer—attributes they'll need to overcome the many barriers they face. To schedule a tour or for more information, contact: info@positivetomorrows.org PO Box 61190, Oklahoma City, OK 73146 405-556-5082 www. positivetomorrows.org okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SUSAN AGEL
Richard, Robert, Mary, Aaron, and little Andrew* are homeless, currently living in one of Oklahoma City's shelters. These siblings, range in age between four and 10 years, have spent their entire lives in deep poverty and homelessness, moving from shelter to shelter, the homes of relatives, or wherever they can scrounge a place to stay. They have lived in basements, garages, and spent occasional nights in bus shelters and cars.
BABIES
How Citizens Caring for Children is Impacting Children in Foster Care
[by Amy Mitchell, Executive Director, Citizens Caring for Children]
Today there are more than 9,000 children in Oklahoma living in foster care just like that little girl. These children have been removed from their homes with nothing but the clothing on their backs and they need our support. Think about your childhood. You likely recall a favorite toy, watching cartoons, playing with friends. Now imagine a police officer who comes to your house, puts you in his car and takes you to a shelter. Everything you loved is left behind. At Citizens Caring for Children we meet the unique needs of children and young adults in foster care in central Oklahoma through our Resource Center and Mentor programs. Our programs plant the seeds for a brighter future. The Resource Center is a place where children see a new reflection in the mirror. We see the pride as a child laces up their new pair of shoes. When you are a kid, getting a new pair of shoes means more than protecting your feet from the elements. New shoes mean you can run faster and jump higher! We witness the relief on their faces when they realize they have an outfit for their first day at a new school. We even notice their heads lifted higher as they realize they have their very own duffel bag to carry their belongings in. The Resource Center is open to any child, living in foster care, in central Oklahoma, aged birth to 21. All who visit are encouraged to shop, try on as many outfits as they please and most important have fun.
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Children receive new clothing, shoes, socks, undergarments, pajamas, books, toiletries, linens and more up to four times per year. In addition they are invited to shop at the annual Back to School clothing and school supply drive where we can ensure they are outfitted with new clothing, a backpack and school supplies. It allows them to be excited about school because their basic needs are being met. Through the Mentor Program we are able to plant the seeds for a brighter future for children and young adults in foster care. We pair a positive role model with a child in foster care who is in need, and help them learn to have fun and to trust adults again. It's our greatest opportunity to show these children that dreams as simple as attending their very first Thunder game do come true. We strive each day to help these children feel special and to that end we provide birthday and Christmas presents and hold fun events throughout the year. Our programs make an impact on the overall health and well-being of some of Oklahoma's most precious resources. But none of this is possible without the community's support. On April 20, at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, we will host the 10th Annual Bids for Kids event benefiting children in foster care. It is an amazing opportunity to see firsthand how we can make a difference when we all work together. If you would like to attend, please visit our newly redesigned website at
www.cccokc.org to purchase your tickets or sponsorship package. Stop and think about your childhood. It was likely filled with happy memories. Now think about what you can do to help the more than 9,000 children in foster care make their own happy memories. Together, we can show these children that there is a wonderful life just waiting for them to grab it. Citizens Caring for Children 730 W. Wilshire Creek Blvd., Suite 111 & 112 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.753.4099 www.cccokc.org okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY MITCHELL
My world was forever changed while volunteering at Citizens Caring for Children's Back to School event the moment I saw the smile on the face of the little girl I was shopping with. I couldn't get over how happy she was for the few new items of clothing we were giving her that day. For me going back to school meant tons of shopping! I realized then just how fortunate I was, and how much I wanted to help children in this community who, through no fault of their own, were struggling with having their basic needs met.
Fun Day Planned at Lavender Valley Acres [by Jag Sohdi and Brandy Morris] Lavender Valley Acres, near Apache in Caddo County, Southwest Oklahoma will turn into a respite for singles who are tired of the same old dating scene. Prof. Jag Sodhi, first learned of this idea on the Internet from a farm in Boise, Idaho. Many other states in USA including Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio have also celebrated successfully similar weed dating events. “We are planning our first weeddating event April, 27th (Saturday), from 1:00 5:00 p.m.,” said Sodhi. Free Lavender drinks will be served there is no charge for parking. Participants will receive an additional 10 percent discount for items in the Gift Shop and
Lavender plants in the Oklahoma State Certified Nursery.
be a crash course in how to identify a weed versus a Lavender plant, and then it is up to the participant to exchange their experience and information to others of their choice.”
“We are among a handful across the country offering an unconventional form of speed dating,” said Sodhi. Typically, speed daters meet at a bar or restaurant and switch conversational partners every few minutes, in hopes of finding someone compatible. “With weed dating, this rapid-fire courtship takes place on the farm, with singles working together in our Lavender Garden outdoors,” said Sodhi.
If you are not much into dating, speed dating or online dating, this may be an alternative to the same old scene. Who knows, you may meet someone special among the lavender plants.
“Here's how it will work: Everybody will be paired up with everybody over the course of the day. Each of the participants will be assigned to a specific row, with more instructions to follow,” says Sodhi. “There will
Lavender Valley Acres 10041 CR (County Road) 1410, Apache, Ok 73006 http://lavendervalleyacres.com (580) 588-2855.
Continued from pg. 20 There are more ways you can protect yourself and your family from harmful UV rays. Limit direct sun exposure during the midday when UV rays are the strongest, usually between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. will help. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps as they also produce strong UV rays. Take particular care to protect children from the sun. Children tend to spend more time outdoors, can burn more easily, and may not be aware of the dangers so they rely on the adults around them to help them. The best way to detect skin cancer early is to recognize changes in skin growth, including the appearance of new growths. Adults should periodically examine their skin so they become aware of any changes. New or unusual lesions or a progressive change in a lesion's appearance (size, shape, or color, etc.) should be evaluated promptly by a physician. Melanomas often start as small, mole-like growth that increases in size and may change color. A simple ABCD rule outlines the warning signals of the most common type of melanoma: A is for asymmetry (one half of the mole does not match the other half). B is for border irregularity (the edges are ragged, notched, or blurred). C is for color (the pigmentation if not uniform, with variable degrees of tan, brown, or black). D is for diameter, greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Other types of melanoma may not have these signs, so be alert for any new or changing skin growths. Risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer upgraded their classification of indoor tanning devices from “probably”to“definitively” carcinogenic to humans after a reassessment of the scientific evidence. If you follow these healthy steps and tips to sun protection you will be doing your part to help prevent this dangerous cancer from affecting you and your family. okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
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More Than a Gated Comm Gaillardia Offers a Lifestyle C [by Caleb McBride]
What makes the community so unique is the collective importance it places on health and fitness. Every week, more than 300 members come to the Fitness Center of the Gaillardia Country Club to work out, chat with the friendly fitness staff. The Fitness Center is more than just a workout facility, cafe and pool, it is an excellent community center. You will find people from all walks of life, from professional athletes to doctors there. Ask any member and they will tell you how unique the
Gaillardia Community is and the importance each member places on a healthy lifestyle. The Gaillardia County Club has been charged with the task of improving the quality of life of its membership community, which includes providing state-of-the-art facilities and programs to improve the health of its members. “The club does many things to help the members lead healthy lifestyles through providing excellent exercise classes and wonderful golf and tennis programs,” says Dr. Devin McAdams, an active member of Gaillardia Country Club. Dr. McAdams says that his favorite part about using the fitness center is the results, but he also enjoys seeing that a large percentage of the community is involved in golf, tennis, and weekly exercise. “Gaillardia Country Club offers everything that I could want. Quality personal training, tennis, great classes, and a well kept facility,” said Heidi Zerby, a fitness enthusiast .
Artist Rendering of a Guest Room
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The Fitness Center is a 6,000 square foot state-ofthe-art facility complete with an
advanced selection of fitness equipment for weightlifting and cardiovascular training as well as an aerobic room, featuring numerous instructor led exercise classes. Qualified personal trainers are available to help members reach their fitness goals. The Center has men's and women's locker rooms with whirlpools, steam baths, dry saunas and a private massage room. The complex also contains the distinctive Veranda Cafe, offering an informal dining flexibility to our members and their families who might be outside relaxing by the pool. Adjacent to the Fitness Center, are four To learn more about the homes and community of Gaillardia, visit https://www.gaillardia.com. 5300 Gaillardia Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73142 P 405-302-2800 or email us at: info@gaillardia.com okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRADLEY SMITH
When you drive through the large iron gates of the Gaillardia Community off MacArthur and Memorial, the beautiful landscape, winding roads, and surreal estate homes will more than likely consume your full attention. Beyond the clubhouse and the Normandy architecture is something you can't see, you feel it. It is the amazing sense of community that makes Gaillardia so special.
munity and Country Club, Conducive to Healthy Living only teaches basic tennis skills, but also nurtures the player's love of the sport. Her services are available to members and their guest wanting to try out the club. The kid's tennis classes are catered toward beginners trying to get a feel for the game. A great example of the importance the community places on fitness is the Gaillardia Running Club. Every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., a group of members meet at the Fitness Center for a three-mile run.
outdoor-lighted championship tennis courts. Staff includes a tennis professional and swim instructors. Tennis and swim programs are available for the whole family. With the rise of childhood obesity, the Gaillardia Community has increased the activities available for children. Gaillardia Country Club prides itself in offering wonderful youth programs such as a Kids Camp, kid's tennis classes, junior league golf, and a competitive swim team. The Kid's Camp provides kids with a structured schedule of activities including golf, tennis, basketball, fitness and swimming. Each activity is led by a certified instructor who brings years of experience coaching both kids and adults. The Kids Camp runs the month of June and the last two weeks of July and is not only available to members, but also to their guests as well. Tennis pro, Jennifer Clayton, not okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
“The neighborhood as a whole is conducive to running, with a scenic view and a large accessible sidewalk” says Heidi Zerby, who is also a member of the Running Club. One of the best parts of the Gaillardia Community is how friendly and receptive they are to new members they haven't met. Groups like the Running Club provide a great way to experience this. The Gaillardia Community has discovered an avenue to a happier life, and that includes a healthy lifestyle surrounded by your closest friends.
Jennifer Clayton, Gaillardia’s Tennis Pro April/May 2013
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OKC Thunder Girls
Staying Focused and Staying Fit
The Thunder Girls are more than just talented dancers; as ambassadors for the Thunder organization, they engage with our fans and our community every day. But as one of 30 dance squads in the NBA, these ladies have to push themselves to stay focused and stay fit. While the Thunder Girls might make it look easy, any member of the team will tell you that being ready to perform for a NBA crowd takes an incredible amount of hard work and dedication. After making the team, all the ladies go through a fitness assessment to help determine their ideal body composition, based on their height and body type. Individualized fitness goals and diet plans keep them on the right track and help build and reinforce healthy habits. All of the Thunder Girls are required to attend two intense half-hour boot camps and up to nine hours of dance practice per week, in addition to games. “People who show up to our boot camps are always surprised to see how fit the girls are and how hard it is to keep up,” said Dance Team Manager Paige Carter.
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First-year team member Dominique has always exercised regularly and considered herself to be in good shape before joining the team. Then she started training with the Thunder Girls and going through the weekly workouts. “Even for someone who is fit, they're difficult,” she said, “You have to mentally commit, mind over matter.” Kelsey, a third-year veteran of the dance team, agreed that it takes a high level of commitment to maintain the routine. “We're lucky to have trainers who really are experts. They engineer intense half-hour workouts where we can burn up to 1,000 calories each time,” she added. Many team members show their dedication by hitting the gym an additional three times a week. With these extra workouts, the girls collectively maintain an average of about 14 hours of exercise per week. Third-year veterans Jessica and Marisa are among the few Thunder Girls who take it another step further, challenging themselves by entering fitness competitions. Paige noted that she expects a lot
from her squad. She performed as a dancer for the NBA's Phoenix Suns for six seasons before joining the Thunder and knows firsthand what it takes to be a member of a top-notch dance team. In setting the tone for her team's health and fitness habits, Paige strives to lead by example, and promotes making her own healthy lifestyle choices such as working out at least five times every week and eating a balanced diet consisting mostly of lean protein and as many green vegetables as possible. Though many of the girls begin their time with the Thunder Girls in good shape, many still find room for improvement in their health and fitness. In her second year with the team, Bailee is lauded by her teammates as Continued on pg. 45 For more information on the OKC Thunder Girls visit: WWW.THUNDER.NBA.COM okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LAYNE MURDOCH OKC THUNDER
[by the Oklahoma City Thunder]
Not Your Typical Workout, From a Not So Typical Trainer [by Layce Arvizu]
Beast Bodies by Layce Fit opened in Southwest Oklahoma City in early March 2013. Arvizu opened the studio as an outlet for people to have an affordable trainer. Arvizu's goal is to empower women, single mothers, grandmothers, smokers and everyone. She wants to reach as many people as she can and share her story, and show them how to turn their “I cant's” into “I can.” Two years ago, Layce laid her twin girls to rest after they were born, due to the genetic disorder known as “triploidy.” The tragedy hit her hard, she struggled to cope with life and what had happened. She found herself dealing with immense depression and weight gain. The day came when Layce decided it
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was “fight or flight time.” She had always ran away from issues in her life, but this time, she chose to stand firm and fight through the emotional battle at hand. She started going to the gym and throwing around weights. She was not sure what she was doing, but it was becoming easier to deal with her anger and it began to subside. Weightlifting became her medicine when dealing with things that upset or stressed her. She weighed 186 pounds when she started, 6 months later she stepped onto the World Beauty and Fitness Federation stage weighing 126 pounds. She placed third in the Diva Fitness class and sixth in the Bikini Diva Division. “From that moment is where it had clicked and I found my calling to witness to other women, who shared the same types of emotional battles that I have been dealing with, depression, lost of a loved one, divorce, single parenting, that it IS possible, said Layce. Layce has inspired many followers and continues to help women find strength and empowerment.
Layce chose competing with the WBFF for the opportunities, she absolutely adores the family she has met. Layce is an Total Body Advantage Athlete, which is ranked in first place in the WBFF. The team is coached by Doug Casebier. Total Body Advantage has athletes all over the world. “If you want to be a champion, you have to train like a champion,” Layce said. She says that her coach has taught her that there is no off-season as an athlete. Layce has two shows coming up as she is training hard for her Professional Status through the WBFF, July 20th in Sacramento, California she will be standing for Total Body Advantage home town. Also she will be competing in the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 23, 2013. Layce Arvizu WBFF Fitness Model Owner and Operator of Beast Bodies by Layce Fit 1117 SW 59th Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73109 (405)604-4878 okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LAYCE ARVIZU
Have you ever been envious of people who are getting healthy and fit? You think to yourself after looking at your budget, that you just cannot afford it? Oklahoma City, you are in luck. Layce Arvizu has a desire to reach everyone. Those who are fit, those who hope to get fit, and those who can not afford to get fit.
Opening a New Business? It's Never Too Early to Think Taxes. [by Phillip Murphy E.A.] Whether you are ready to open your doors or are still in the planning phase, it is never too early to think about how you will handle the taxes associated with your new business. According to the Small Business Administration, of the new small business employers (1-499 employees) started each year 30 percent will not make it to the two-year point and less than half will make it for five. Nonemployer businesses (those without employees) have an even more challenging road to success and are three times as likely to fail. With this in mind it is important to consider everything necessary to succeed in your new endeavors.
Another, and usually more difficult task for new business owners, is record keeping. Most new businesses don't have the luxury of a full-time bookkeeper and often these tasks are handed off to another family member or simply put off until “later.� Unfortunately, later often comes around April 14th in the form of receipts, invoices and canceled checks piled on the kitchen table. This again is where consultation early on with an Enrolled Agent or accountant will prove to be time well spent. While all businesses obviously need to track income and expenses, it is important to understand what expenses to expect based on your particular business and how they can impact your taxes. Knowing how these deductions work and having someone readily
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available to answer questions about them can help you manage your expenses in a way favorable for your tax situation. For example, while wages paid to employees are obviously deductible by the business did you know that wages paid to employees before the doors to the business are open must be amortized? This means that you could have some wages deducted as normal operating expenses while others are deducted over a 180 month period as Start Up Costs. Additionally, depending on your financial situation you may elect to deduct up to $5,000 of those Start Up Costs in your first year. Similarly the choice on how to handle big ticket items such as vehicles, office
equipment and buildings can have a dramatic impact on your tax liabilities. Business income, structure and other family wages can all be factors in determining how to handle the depreciation of these business assets. So, when you make the decision to pursue your dreams of starting your business, make sure you take full advantage of all the resources available to help this endeavor succeed. Phillip Murphy is an Enrolled Agent that has been providing tax services to individuals and small businesses since 1996. Phil can be contacted by email at PMurphy@gmx.us okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKFRESH
One of the first things to consider is the business structure. With a variety of options such as Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Corporations there are many questions that need to be answered to determine which is best for your business. This decision will require competent legal counsel to accurately measure liability issues and professional tax advice to determine the financial ramifications of each option. Only after obtaining all of this information can an entrepreneur make an informed decision about how his or her business will be set up.
Diabetes Will Not Dominate Me
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LEIGH THOMPSON
When I was eleven, I was diagnosed with Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY). [by Jamie Butemyer MODY is a rare genetic form of Diabetes that can affect up to five percent of Americans with Diabetes. MODY, however, is different from Type I or Type II Diabetes in that the individual can control it with exercise and a healthy diet, and thus without daily medication. When I don't fuel my body properly I'm not myself, I get shaky and testy. Often times my friends and family tease me saying, “Jamie, you're being diabetic.” Thankfully, my “diabetic” episodes are rare, because I have learned how to dominate my disease through healthy habits rather than let my disease dominate me. In January, I won the title of Miss Lawton, and I will compete in the Miss
Oklahoma Pageant this summer. My platform is TRAIN –All Aboard the TRAIN for Healthy Habits. The goal of my platform is to teach kids and adults healthy habits they can incorporate into their daily lives, and likewise, they are healthy habits I have incorporated into my daily life. I figured, if these habits can keep myself healthy, surely they could help other diabetics and non-diabetics who want to transform him or herself into a healthier, happier person. Each letter in TRAIN connects to one another to attain an all-around healthy lifestyle, or in 'train terminology,' all the boxcars work together to reach a final destination: Today is the day the day to start. There is no time like the present. Do something proactive for your future. Rest your body. Studies show young bodies need plenty of sleep every night to maintain focus in school. Activity every day. “I think I can,” mindset.
children's book “The Little Engine that Could,” because just like engines in cars or trains need fuel, our bodies need the proper fuel to keep us going. I strive to teach kids (and adults looking to incorporate more healthy habits into their lives) to think of their bodies as engines in need of the proper fuel. Childhood Diabetes is an epidemic in this country, and it is not just up to schools, parents, and educators, but the community at large to teach kids and their parents about sustainable healthy habits they can incorporate into their lives and make nutritional resources available to Oklahoma Public Schools. Every day I strive to be a role model of health, to practice what I preach, but I alone cannot make the positive change that we desperately need by myself. It takes all of us. Please visit my blog thedirtonDiabetes.wordpress.com for other tips on health, fitness, and Diabetes advocacy and education.
Nutrition is the key. The right kinds of food for the right kind of day. TRAIN was inspired by the
okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
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PET HEALTH
Perkins Veterinary Clinic Bringing Modern Medicine to a Rural Community [by Dr. Wendy Murray]
My name is Dr. Wendy Murray, my husband, Mike and I purchased the clinic in 2011. Although we are new owners, we are not new to the clinic or the community. After moving to the Perkins area in 1997 from Arizona, I began working at the clinic as a technician. I have worked in other veterinary hospitals, but had never seen such dedication to the pets and to practicing the most modern medicine. When I graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU in 2003, Dr. Jerry Woodall offered me a chance to work as a doctor at PVC and I knew this was the type of practice I wanted to be a part of. For the last ten years, my passion has been internal and preventative medicine for small and large animals. We try to educate our clients so they can make informed decisions. The clinic motto is one that we live by, “We do what is best for the Pet�. Dr. Taud Charette joined the practice in 2012 as a doctor, but he also was a technician here before going to veterinary school. Dr. Charette's passion is surgery, from repairing bones to the latest techniques in soft tissue surgery. We offer the highest quality medicine with in-house laboratory equipment, digital xrays, EKG's, ultrasound, and a hydraulic tilt table chute for our cattle patients. We have great indoor facilities to board cats and dogs so our
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clients can have peace of mind while they are away. Our support staff separates us from other clinics because we are a family, not many clinics can say that they have a manager that has worked in every part of the clinic for 19 years and a receptionist for 15 years, that knows most of our clients by name. We try to always be available for our clients. We know that pets don't always get sick between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., our clinic is open seven days a week, 365 days a year (Mon-Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m.). As part of our efforts to educate clients we try to highlight a different aspect of veterinary medicine each month with a discount. We know that pets are expensive to take care of, but they bring much joy into our lives.
the disease is to test for it and put pets on prevention. Traditionally, prevention has consisted of a pill given to your pet monthly, but now there is an injection that is only given twice a year. During the month of April, every dog tested for heartworm disease will be entered in a drawing for a free years worth of heartworm prevention. As summer approaches, many are aware of fleas and ticks; but we often forget the tiny almost invisible intestinal parasites that can harm our pets. During the month of May, every pet that comes in for a bath or dip, will get a free intestinal parasite screen. Our commitment to our community is to be here for your pets and help them have the best quality of life possible.
For more than 20 years we have spent our Saturday afternoons traveling to nearby towns for rabies clinics to offer low price vaccines, heartworm tests, and heartworm prevention. The first of these clinics will be held at the Stillwater Milling Co. in Stillwater, OK and then on following the Saturdays in May, we will be in Perkins, Agra, Carney, and Tryon. You can check our website for more specific i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t i m e s , www.perkinsvetclinic.com. April is National Heartworm Awareness month. Oklahoma ranks 8th in the nation for incidence of heartworm disease. Heartworms can be deadly to cats and dogs, and often there is no sign until the heart is damaged. This disease is spread by mosquitoes and even indoor pets aren't safe. The only way to prevent
Perkins Veterinary Clinic 11016 S. Perkins Rd. Perkins, OK 74059 (405) 547-2442 http://perkinsvetclinic.com okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PERKINS VETERINARY CLINIC
The Perkins Veterinary Clinic has been in the same location for more than 30 years, serving the medical needs of large and small animals.
Continued from pg. 38 someone who has undergone an impressive transformation. She knows from experience that working out is only half the fitness equation. “It really is about what you eat,” she notes, “I used eat cheeseburgers after practice, but I didn't see any results until I started to eat right, as well. Now, I eat a lot of salads and fresh fruit and drink a lot of water. I cut out
carbonated beverages and greasy foods and only eat sweets in moderation.” That moderation is a key for many of the girls, whose favorite indulgences range from nachos to chocolate. Through intense schedules, challenging workouts and disciplined diets, the Thunder Girls rely on support and encouragement from each other to stay
motivated. Many of the members, like Kelsey, list Paige as a source of inspiration to live healthy and stay fit. “Having a coach who makes fitness a priority is really important,” she said. “Paige works out with us and does everything we do. She could absolutely put on a uniform and dance on the court with us.” Dominique added, “It's impressive to see her commitment.” Most of the ladies agreed that getting to the gym is sometimes the hardest part, even for them. Jessica, who works as a personal trainer when she's not cheering on the Thunder, offered some tips on how to make working out a habit. “Plan ahead and stick with a routine. It's easy to go to the gym here and there and not see any results, but if you go regularly you'll get the results you want,” she said. Jessica's keeps herself accountable “by working out with friends or telling someone when I plan to work out. I know that if I don't go, I'm going to hear about it later.” Jessica gave similar advice for those wanting to eat healthier. She likes to make all of her meals for the week on Sunday because it is more convenient. “I think the biggest piece of advice is to stay consistent and plan ahead,” she added.
Continued from pg. 22 been a very public part of Sheen's life and Tulsa played a very significant role in his journey to recovery. 12 & 12 was cofounded by Chris Malick whose brother is movie director Terrence Malick. It was Terrence who helped Sheen during a very critical time in his life which led to his sobriety; so periodically Sheen comes to town to return the favor, a favor that is greatly needed. Sheen has assisted 12 & 12 over the years to help raise awareness of services offered as well as the importance of addiction treatment services.
raised more than $70,000 to purchase needed commercial kitchen appliances and other kitchen repairs. These repairs and purchases have enabled 12 & 12 to offer nutritional choices to those in recovery, helping heal both minds and bodies. Although diet cannot cure all of the damage inflicted by alcohol abuse, certain dietary choices may help reverse damage to the
liver and other major organs. Treatment and access to treatment is vital to Oklahomans suffering from the chronic and progressive disease of alcoholism; consequently, 12 & 12's goal is to offer those who seek recovery from addiction the opportunity to live without alcohol or drugs, ultimately eliminating alcoholism as the third leading preventable cause of death.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ACE CUERVO
Thanks to Sheen, who also donated four of his personal scripts from “The West Wing” as part of the auction items, the evening
Karen Walker, 12 & 12 Director of Operations with Martin Sheen and Wally Bryce, Board Chair for 12 & 12 okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
April/May 2013
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TALK
Wellness Now
Health at Work Program
[by Jodi Smith, Health at Work Supervisor]
Worksite wellness is defined as any health promotion activity or organizational policy designed to support and improve healthy behavior in the workplace and to improve health outcomes. Generally speaking, health promotion is the process of assisting people in increasing control over their health, leading to improvement in their overall wellbeing. Outside of the US, worksite wellness is known as 'corporate wellbeing'. Worksite wellness consists of a variety of activities such as health fairs, health education, medical screenings, health coaching, weight management programs, wellness newsletters, on-site fitness programs and/or facilities and educational programs and even adoption and implementation of policies, such as nutrition guidelines for onsite food sources. For any business interested in developing a work site wellness program but might be hesitant about the benefits, recent research has linked poor health to higher health care costs, low productivity (presenteeism), high absenteeism, and high rates of disability and injury. Work site wellness programs address these issues by supporting an environment conducive to health and offering programs that help employees improve their health status (Leading by Example, 2005). 5 Steps to starting a wellness program Support - An important indicator of the success of a work site wellness program is the support of senior management. Committee - The wellness committee should be formed at the beginning of the process. When forming the wellness committee, it is critical to include a cross section of all employees that will participate in the wellness program including management, human resources, finance, and workers from
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April/May 2013
the general population. Assessment - A needs assessment is an important tool in developing a worksite wellness program. The needs assessment should include a health risk appraisal, health culture audit, and an employee interest survey. Policy - Designing wellness interventions is one of the first things many think of when working on the planning step of creating a work site wellness program. Wellness interventions consist of policies and activities.
Consultations on developing work site wellness programs Health at Work Conference Please plan on joining us for the 4th Annual Health at Work Conference on May 22, 2013. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to network with over 200 individuals from companies across central Oklahoma and around the state while learning vital information to help start an employee wellness program or improve an existing one.
Plan - After achieving corporate support, creating a wellness team, and conducting a needs assessment, the team can begin drafting a wellness plan. The wellness plan should include the program mission statement, goals and objectives, timeline, budget, incentives, programmatic support necessary, marketing strategies, implementation plans, and evaluation plan.
Health at Work Coalition
Incentives can be used to address employees' barriers to participation. Research has shown a range of incentives can be used to encourage employee participation. These incentives include flextime for participation, door prizes, wellness bonus points that can be used for exercise gear, reduction in employees' portion of insurance premiums, extra leave days, cash, or other prizes.
Employee Interest Surveys
OCCHD's Health at Work Program includes several projects to promote and enhance worksite wellness efforts in Central Oklahoma: Health at Work Conference Health at Work Coalition Employee interest surveys and focus groups
The OKC Wellness Coalition is a community group of wellness coordinators, employee health nurses, and others interested in work site wellness. The group meets monthly to discuss work site wellness in Oklahoma County, learn from speakers, collaborate on projects to benefit the business community, and network to enhance current wellness programs.
To help businesses increase employee participation in a wellness program, Health at Work staff are trained to conduct confidential, one-on-one interviews with your employees. Our surveys are a free service and help you assess the health attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of a given employee population and serves as an informational tool when planning new programs and policies. The purpose is to determine which factors motivate participation and identify employee interests relating to wellness. OCCHD staff will conduct confidential surveys to a random selection of your employees and offer an executive summary with recommendations to enhance your program.
Tobacco-Free work sites Jodi Smith, Health at Work Supervisor Phone: 405.425.4312 Email: Jodi_Smith@Occhd.org Website: www.occhd.org/community/healthatwork
okhealthandfitnessmagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OKC COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) currently provides assistance to businesses in the market for developing a Worksite Wellness program.