Navigating Snow & Ice
Weathering Winter
Sooner Legend
Steve Owens
Vet of the Month
Martha Higgins
Promising Talent Former Sabercat Justin Bean lights it up for Utah State
January | CONTENTS 2020
08 by Chelsey Kraft
Old Becomes New
Construction nears for Old Town Park.
12 by Bill Moakley
First-Class Experience
Air Force recruit’s service is fond memory.
16 by Sharla Bardin
Brave and Courageous
Technology center features business leadership event.
20 by Kaylee Campbell Fitting In
Health, fitness programs launch New Year at The Station.
24 by Steve Marshall
Promising Talent
ISSUE 1 - VOLUME 3 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher
MANAGING EDITOR
Chip Minty
SENIOR EDITOR
Lindsay Cuomo
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Doescher
CONTRIBUTORS
Roxanne Avery | Sharla Bardin Kaylee Campbell | Lindsay Cuomo Chelsey Kraft | Steve Marshall Bill Moakley | Chris Plank
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PUBLISHER Randy Laffoon
Southmoore product shoots for stars at Utah State.
28 by Roxanne Avery
Weathering Winter
Safety advice for navigating snowy and icy driving conditions.
34by Chris Plank
Sooner Legend Steve Owens
Looking back at 50 years since Owens’ Heisman.
44 by Lindsay Cuomo
Keeping Track
Health expert says exercise worth watching.
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COM M U N I T Y
BY: CHELSEY KRAFT
Old Becomes New
Construction Nears for Old Town Park
T
he next step in the revitalization of Old Town is underway as construction of Old Town Park is set to begin.
The new, two-acre park will be at 132 E Main St. near the intersection of Main and the railroad tracks. The city expects construction to begin in late January or early February, said Kahley Gilbert, project grants manager. She added the goal is to have the park open by next fall. A committee was created from local stakeholders and business owners in the Old Town area. A few city council members also contributed to the park planning process. The committee’s objective was to design a park that reflects Moore’s history. Because Old Town is the oldest part of the community, the park project provided a good opportunity to reflect that history, Gilbert said. As a display of some of this history, Old Town Park will feature a new train depot, modeled after the original one built on the same site more than 100 years ago. The train depot will include an artist’s space, where an artist-in-residence will be on hand to engage with the community and carry out programs. The city will switch out different artists about once a year. When the depot opens, the first art8 | January 2020
ist-in-residence will be a photographer, Maria Chaverri of Oklahoma City. Under Moore’s Artist in Residence program, Chaverri and other subsequent artists-in-residence will be involved with Old Town events that occur throughout the year. The other half of the depot will be used as a coffee shop or small café. “I would say that this is more of an adult type park,” said Gilbert, who has been part of the park planning process for the last two years. “There’s not going to be a playground or a splash pad or anything like that. It’s going to be a gathering place. There are not a lot of patios here in Moore, so we’ll have a nice landscape plaza that anybody can come in with their pets or whatever and enjoy the weather outside. It’s a hangout type of park.” Park construction will be funded through the 2016 Continuing Our Success, voter-approved, quarter-cent sales tax. As of December, a cost estimate for the project was not available, Gilbert said. “I think it just shows where the city is at,” Gilbert said. “We’re one of the fastest growing communities in the metro area if not the entire state, so I think it just shows how fast our city is growing and that we’re trying to expand different sorts of experiences for our residents.” – 19SM
COM M U N I T Y
BY: BILL MOAKLEY
First-Class Experience
PRESENTED BY
CENTURIONCG.NET
Air Force Recruit’s Service is Fond Memory
M
artha Higgins walked by an Air Force recruiting office in 1951, two years after graduating from high school. She was impressed enough with the office in Erie, Penn., so she stepped in and talked with the recruiter. “I had been looking for a job,” Higgins said. “I passed by the federal building and they had all these flags out and fliers about what the government could do for you. I was so excited. I went in and the recruiting sergeant made it sound like paradise. He sold me.” After hearing about benefits such as the GI Bill and a pension, Higgins signed up, took her military oath and boarded a train headed to San Antonio for basic training. “They sent me first class and I thought, ‘Wow, if my friends could see me now.’ The porter would make the bed for me and get it ready at night. The waiter would come through and get my meal order. They treated me right.” Arriving in San Antonio, Higgins immediately liked what she was experiencing 12 | January 2020
during her training days, finding a closeknit community among her fellow cadets. “You form a sisterhood and I loved that,” she said. “You cannot do basic training by yourself. You need that support from others. We wanted to help one another, so we could finish together.” Higgins graduated from basic training and received orders to join the Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs as a financial officer. “The government trusted me to handle the money,” Higgins laughed. “I had a lot of friends because I handled the paychecks.” From Colorado Springs, Higgins’ next stop took her around the globe to Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, just outside Istanbul. While in Turkey, Higgins worked as a data entry officer, ensuring classified data was delivered securely. Everything she entered was in code, as were the destina-
tions to which the information was being delivered. She recalled going down to the Mediterranean Sea and using binoculars to look for the U.S. flag flying from passing ships. The sight of other items from home was also welcomed. “We’d go to the mess hall and see a can of Campbell’s Soup or a box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, and we’d get so excited,” Higgins said. “Anything to remind us of home.” After leaving the Air Force in 1954, Higgins joined the U.S. Postal Service as a mail handler, filling route bags for carriers and making sure mail made it into postal boxes. She would later work for Sears running credit checks on credit card applications. A formally trained vocalist, Higgins performed as an accomplished alto member of the Columbus (OH) Symphony, as well as the Erie Philharmonic. She loved per-
forming, however, she discovered that her young children were not as interested. “I’d get them ready and fuss all over them when we had a concert, and we’d get there and they’d sleep through the whole thing,” Higgins said. In addition to singing, Higgins has also served as a parish organist for numerous churches and she lends her talents to the Norman Veterans Center, where she has lived the past five years. “I do the chapel service here on Sundays when the regular organist isn’t here,” she said. A native of Florida and a graduate of Florida A&M University, Higgins’ late husband and two sons were career Air Force officers. A third son owns and operates an air conditioning company in Oklahoma City. - 19SM
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COM M U N I T Y
BY: SHARLA BARDIN
Brave and Courageous
Technology Center Features Business Leadership Events
C
ourageous leadership will be the focus at an upcoming luncheon on the research of bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown at Moore Norman Technology Center. The “Dare to Lead” luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the center’s South Penn campus at 13301 S Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City. Facilitator Linda Clark will lead the event that will give participants a look into how bravery and courage play a pivotal role in the future of leadership. Krista Scammahorn, business trainer at the technology center, said she believes the program will highlight the qualities that employees are wanting to see in 16 | January 2020
the workplace, such as leadership skills and ways to enhance communication in a company or organization. Scammahorn said the luncheon will offer “a whole new look at being a leader and being brave and courageous.” “Dare to Lead” is an empirically based courage-building program designed to support leader agility, team effectiveness and culture change that is based on Brown’s research. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. Most recently, she completed a seven-year study on courageous leadership. Brown also is a bestselling au-
thor and her books include “Daring Greatly,” “Rising Strong” and “Dare to Lead.” Scammahorn also believes participants will be impressed with Clark, who is the only trained “Dare to Lead” facilitator in Oklahoma. “Our speaker is beyond good in everything she does,” Scammahorn said. “She’s so amazing.” Clark is a professionally recognized human resources strategist with nearly two decades of experience in strategic human resources and operations leadership. Clark also is an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and facilitator/instructor for leadership programs at Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business, Rose State College and MetroTech Downtown Business Campus. Some of the topics addressed at the luncheon include barriers to courage and
how courage ties into decision making and organizational success. Participants also will discuss what blocks innovation, creativity, connection and performance. Scammahorn said plans are to host two-day “Dare to Lead” sessions at both campuses. Sessions will take place March 5 and March 6 for the South Penn campus, and May 7 and May 8 for the Franklin Road campus at 4701 12th Ave. NW in Norman. Scammahorn said the January luncheon is intended motivate and encourage everyone who attends. “I hope that they feel empowered and inspired to go back to their teams and be brave and courageous in their communication and expectation for their groups.” To register for the luncheon, visit www. mntc.edu. – 19SM
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COM M U N I T Y
BY: KAYLEE CAMPBELL
Fitting In
Health, Fitness Programs Launch New Year at The Station
E
very year, “lose weight” and “get healthy” rank in the upper echelon of popular new year resolutions. But as many know, those goals can be hard to stick with.
The Station at Central Park in Moore is looking to change that in 2020. The Station is dedicated to building strong social communities while fostering healthy lifestyle choices year-round. This isn’t your ordinary gym. In addition to a large fitness area equipped with everything from free weights to cardio and conditioning machines, the 53,000 square foot family recreation center boasts group exercise rooms, a state-of-the-art spin studio, an indoor walking track, two full-sized basketball courts and four half-courts. But the real magic is in the wide variety of community-based classes and activities that promote healthy choices and positive growth for all ages. Unlike most gyms, The Station is designed for all ages and offers classes, such as FIT Kids and Zumba for Kids. Geared toward kids age 7 to 12, classes feature entertaining music, foundation20 | January 2020
al fitness and dance moves.
“FIT Kids is about promoting activity for kids, kind of like a P.E. class,” said Brighton Cargal, fitness coordinator at The Station. On the other hand, “Zumba Kids is essentially the same thing as an adult Zumba class, but geared toward kids,” Cargal said. “They play kid-centered music with driving beats, promoting a fun and creative atmosphere for the kids to dance.” For adults, there are a variety of group fitness favorites to choose from, including yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spin classes, as well as self-defense, martial arts and dance classes. The Station’s Fitness in the Park series takes participants out of the group class setting, Cargal said. Kicking off the Fitness in the Park series in 2020 is the “Fun”damentals Boot Camp. The outdoor class takes place at Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12th St, and provides a fun challenge with drills, plyometrics, agilities and intervals of strength training and cardio, Cargal said.
For those who prefer the team experience, The Station operates two adult sports leagues: men’s basketball and co-ed adult indoor volleyball. League registration for both leagues is open Jan. 1 – Feb. 21, and regular league play begins in March. Whatever age, fitness level or interests, the one constant is that leading a healthy lifestyle begins with the food that people eat. But, understanding and developing healthy eating habits isn’t always easy. This is where practical classes about nutrition and food can be beneficial. A registered dietician leads The Station’s weekly nutrition classes designed to help participants learn how to make the right food choices. Beyond learning basic nutrition, participants learn about their own body’s reactions to foods, the best ways to fuel their body, how to use nutrition to lose weight, gain strength and feel better
overall, she said. “The dietician is someone people can come to and ask questions in a group setting,” Cargal said. “They don’t have to go to the doctor for that information. They can learn it at The Station from someone who is registered and capable of answering their questions.” The Station’s nutrition classes provide practical advice and hands-on training. Participants learn things like how to shop for healthy foods, how to meal prep and even get cooking tips and some healthy but tasty recipes to try at home. “The dietician does cooking demonstrations, so they’re able to see those applications in practice rather than just hearing a lecture on it,” Cargal said. For more information about The Station at Central Park, visit www.thestation. com.– 19SM
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S P O RT S
BY: STEVE MARSHALL
Promising Talent
PRESENTED BY
Southmoore Product Shoots for Stars at Utah State
A
vid basketball fans in the Oklahoma City area see it all the time. Talented players from local high schools take their talents to the collegiate level before moving on to the NBA. Blake Griffin from Oklahoma Christian School, Trae Young from Norman North and Josh Richardson from Edmond Santa Fe are a few examples. It seems like new prospects pop up on a regular basis, and this season may bring the next local star with NBA promise. Just look to the western horizon. Former Southmoore player Justin Bean is making waves with his teammates at Utah State University. The 6’7 forward is averaging nearly 15 points and 12 rebounds per game, including eight double-doubles in December as the Aggies cracked the AP Top 20 ranking. This isn’t your typical star player who graduated and then got recruited by dozens of 24 | January 2020
collegiate teams before making his final decision on where to continue his education and his basketball career. Bean tore his ACL in his junior year at Southmoore, and, as a result, most schools lost interest his senior season. He took unofficial visits to Utah and Utah State, where he was designated a preferred walk-on. “It was a humbling experience,” he said. “They still wanted to see how I responded to the injury. I just kept a good mind set, positive attitude and knew if I got the opportunity that I could earn the full scholarship.” Bean graduated from Southmoore in 2015 and then went on a two-year mission for his church in Reno, Nev. “It was a great experience for me,” Bean said. “I definitely grew a lot in a lot of ways, but I didn’t play any basketball, so it was kind of difficult to get back in the swing of things.”
In the end, Bean chose Utah State because of the coaching staff, who visited him while he was on his mission and because of the great team environment. In addition, Utah State is in Logan, Utah, close to where his dad grew up and where his mother attended college.
school coach Wes Brown.
Bean was named the MVP at the Jamaica Classic earlier this year as the Aggies took down LSU in the opening round and then knocked off North Texas 68-59 to claim the title with Bean averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds per game.
“Basketball is definitely a religion in our family,” said Bean.
Bean also gives a lot of credit to his high
“I still keep in touch with Coach Brown,” he said. “Coach Brown taught me the concepts of team defense and fundamentals. I can’t thank him or my teammates enough.”
His father, Gordon, was an all-conference standout at Idaho State while oldest brother Shawn played at Moore and older brothers Tyler, Jourdon and younger sister Erin all played at Southmoore. – 19SM
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COM M U N I T Y
BY: ROXANNE AVERY
Weathering Winter
I
Safety Advice for Navigating Snowy and Icy Driving Conditions
t’s that time of year again – things to do, places to go, roads to travel and a mix of winter weather that can cause treacherous driving conditions. Winter storms, bad weather and poor road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Here are tips from Paul Andes, owner of Total Tire and Accessories, a locally owned company in Moore with 30 years of experience in keeping drivers and families safe in wintery conditions. “Make sure you stay within a speed you can control, be alert to your surroundings and make sure your vehicle is properly inspected before winter,” Andes said. Total Tire and Accessories provides free winter Inspection that include testing brakes, shocks, struts, lights, belts, batteries, tire inflation, tire tread depths, windshield wipers and windshield wash solution. – 19SM
28 | January 2020
OTHER COLD WEATHER DRIVING TIPS:
1. Keep emergency gear on hand, such as extra food and water, blankets, warm clothing and coats, a flashlight, ice scraper and medications. 2. Keep at least half a tank of gas in the tank at all times. 3. Warm vehicles up outside, never in an enclosed area such as a garage. 4. When driving on slippery surfaces, such as ice and snow, don’t use cruise control.
TIPS FOR LONG-DISTANCE WINTER TRIPS:
1. Check the weather along your expected route, and, if possible, delay a trip if bad weather is expected. 2. Stay connected with family and friends by letting them know departure times and arrival times. There are apps available to “share your trip” with others.
IF STUCK IN SNOW:
1. Stay in the vehicle because it will be easier to locate, and it provides shelter. It is easy to lose sight of a vehicle in a snowstorm and people can become lost. 2. Be visible. At night, keep the dome light on if possible because it uses a small amount of electricity and makes the car easier to find. Tie a bright cloth to the car’s antenna if possible. 3. Stay warm and use what is available to insulate from the cold. This includes pre-packed blankets, heavy clothing and even floor mats.
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S P O RT S
SOONER REVIEW
BY: CHRIS PLANK
PRESENTED BY
50
Steve Owens
Sooner Legend
34 | January 2020
Photo by: Mark Doescher
McIntyre Law is a proud supporter of OU athletics. Contact McIntyre Law for all your personal injury needs
S
teve Owens is a legend and a key figure in putting University of Oklahoma football back on the college football map, but despite all that he has given, the proud Sooner is still trying to give back in appreciation for all the university has done for him. As the Sooner nation closes the book on another football season and yet another Heisman finalist, the celebration of Owen’s Heisman trophy win 50 years ago cannot be cherished and valued enough. As an Oklahoma native, Owens always dreamed of playing for OU. Born in Gore, he was growing up in Miami as Oklahoma compiled its 47-game winning streak. “I can’t think of anything that brought as much glory to the state as those teams did,” Owens said of the legendary teams led by coach Bud Wilkinson. “Everybody followed them. When I got older and was working at Hub’s Bootery on Main Street, we didn’t sell many shoes between noon and 4 on Saturdays.” Owens developed quite a reputation on the football field, and that put him in position to
live out his childhood dream. As a halfback at Miami High School, he averaged 7.2 yards per carry and gained 4,000 yards. But it was Arkansas that had their eyes on him. Arkansas assistant coach Jim MacKenzie was not about to let the diehard Sooner fan end up in Norman. But fate stepped in and changed the course for both Owens and MacKenzie. “Coach Jim MacKenzie had recruited me at Arkansas, and at that time they were coming off a national championship,” Owens said. “But my dream as a kid was to be a Sooner, and I kept telling him I love Arkansas, but Oklahoma was in my heart. He was recruiting me hard. He kept telling me that the coach was going to be fired, and I would have to go through a coaching change.” In the end, Mackenzie was right. “Of course, what happened is Gomer (Jones) got fired and they ended up hiring coach MacKenzie,” Owens laughed, recalling how quickly MacKenzie’s tone changed. “The first thing he did was call me and tell me to for-
19th STREET MAGAZINE | 35
get about Arkansas, you need to follow your dreams and come to Oklahoma.” As they would say, the rest is history. Oklahoma football struggled for a time after Bud Wilkinson retired. The team won the Big 8 title but lost in the 1962 Orange Bowl. The Sooners failed to win another conference title the following four seasons and were only chosen for a bowl game once. In 1965, the year before Owens stepped on campus, the Sooners fell below .500 for just the second time in 23 years. “Our teams in 1967, 1968 and 1969 got us back on the right path. I’m so proud of the guys I played with,” Owens said. “I tell everyone the guy that should have won the Heisman was Mike Harper. He was my fullback for all three years, and we never missed a practice or game.
He, and Steve Zabel and Jack Mildren, they did the tough work. I just had to carry the football and stay healthy.” And carry the football was what Owens did… over and over and over. Owens’ sophomore season resulted in the Sooners’ first Big 8 Championship in four seasons and an Orange Bowl win over Tennessee. It was the first bowl win for the Sooners since 1958. During his junior season, Owens burst onto the scene with jaw dropping performances of power, durability and strength. Owens had a particularly memorable performance against powerhouse Nebraska, scoring five touchdowns in a 47–0 win on national television. Through the season, Owens rushed for 1,536 yards and 21 touchdowns, putting him in the Heisman race his senior season. 36 | January 2020
“He was a workhorse,” said Barry Switzer, who was OU’s offensive coordinator when Owens won the Heisman. “Not many people could carry the ball as many times as he did a game and hold up physically, but he did. He carried it 30-something times a game, but he was physically and mentally tough. Basically, of all the yards he made, 90 percent of them were inside the tackles.” Owens was a battering ram, a physical presence that had the ability to run away from you, but his consistency was what wore opponents down. Throughout his Sooner career he recorded only one rushing attempt that resulted in more than 40 yards. During his senior season, Owens racked up 1,523 rushing yards on 358 carries and 23 touchdowns. That individual excellence put Owens right in the thick of the Heisman conversation.
In 1969, the Heisman process was much different than it is today. Owens wasn’t sitting in a ballroom in New York when he found out he won the Heisman, nor was there a television show dedicated to the finalists. He still had a regular season football game to play when he found out he was in contention for the prestigious award. “Johnny Keys, our sports information director, called and said we had a call from the Downtown Athletic Club, and I was a candidate. They wanted me to be ready for a phone call. It was supposed to be on a Tuesday, and we had OSU on Saturday,” Owens recalled. “So, they put me in a room on the third floor of the Student Union, just Barbara (Steve’s Wife) and I. They were supposed to call at 11 a.m., and in those days, they just called the winner. They didn’t call to tell you if you finished second or third.”
They waited and waited on the call but finally gave up. The Heisman hope had apparently passed, and Owens had a football game to get ready for. “The phone never rang… It was just the two of us sitting there, and when 11:15 came with no call, I told Barbara I have to get ready for practice. We walked out of the room … but then a kid from the radio station KGOU yelled at me down the hall and said, ‘Hey Steve, you just won the Heisman.’ I found out I won the Heisman from a college kid who just yelled down the hallway.” There was a celebration waiting for Owens, but so was Oklahoma State. Even though the season had not gone as planned from a win/ loss perspective, the Sooners had one more opportunity to make a mark. “We struggled that year,” Owens said. “We had great expectations, but it was a disappointing season. Since I had won the Heisman the week before the OSU game, the media coverage put the whole team under a lot of pressure.” Owens excelled in his final collegiate performance. “I remember when we lined up in the I-formation, we were looking east and a sign in one of the windows of a dorm across the street read ‘Steve Who Won What?’ I remember looking at that sign every time we lined up. That really inspired me.”
38 | January 2020
Owens responded with 55 carries, 261 yards and two touchdowns as OU ground out a 2827 victory. “I felt blessed as an Oklahoma kid to have been able to dream and see those dreams come true,” Owens said during the 50-year celebration of his Heisman win. “Just having the Oklahoma experience, being a part of this great tradition was enough for me. The Heisman was great, but I won the Heisman because I played for a great school and had great coaches and great teammates. “When I look at the trophy, I think about my school, coaches and teammates. That is why it’s so important to me.” Owens was finally able to celebrate the honor on a Dec. 4, 1969 trip to New York with his wife, parents, coaches and teammate Mike Harper. The trip went from memorable to legendary when President Richard Nixon called to invite Owens and his wife to watch the Texas vs. Arkansas game with him. Since the Sooners didn’t have a bowl game, Owens took the president up on his offer and flew in Air Force One to take in the match-up between No. 1 and No. 2. As time has progressed, Owens has become the keeper of the Heisman Trophy winners that wore Crimson and Cream. While that number continues to grow by the year, Owens stays true to a promise he made to his hero.
“Billy Vessels was my hero, our first Heisman winner. He told me after I won the Heisman… you know we are going to have more winners. If I’m not here, you’re responsible for taking care of them. I’ve found out that can be a tough job,” Owens said, with a laugh. Since Owens won the Heisman in 1969, Oklahoma football has added five Heisman Trophy winners. During the Lincoln Riley era as offensive coordinator and head coach, the Sooners have registered five Heisman finalists in four years including Jalen Hurts, with a runner-up finish this past season. Through it all, as important as the Heisman Trophy may appear, nothing is more important to Steve Owens than being a part of the Sooner Nation. “The most important thing to me was not the Heisman. It was the fact that I played at Oklahoma. I had great coaches; great teammates that really played a part in turning OU back around after they finished 3-7 during my senior year at high school.” His appreciation to the Sooner Nation is unwavering and genuine.
“Our fans are truly the greatest fans in the country,” Owens said. “Jason (White) and I go out and do different appearances and to see the fans come and support us and bring their kids and grandkids. It’s such a great time and a great experience for us. As a former player, I just want the fans to know how much we love and appreciate them. They are the very best.” His appreciation goes beyond the fan base. “I really appreciate Oklahoma. I’ve said this before, since I left OU I’ve tried to repay the university for what it has done for me. I don’t think I can ever repay OU for what they did for Steve Owens. The people that I have met along the way… administrators, coach, the support group, I don’t think I could ever repay those folks for the gifts they gave me. I don’t think I could ever do it though I keep trying.” As Steve Owens works to try give back to the University of Oklahoma, one thing is abundantly clear. The impact Owens has made goes well beyond the bronze statue that will live for eternity in Heisman Park. Steve Owens is a major piece of the fabric that has held Oklahoma football together for years. He is a true Legend.– 19SM
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M O O R E • M U S TA N G • E D M O N D • WA R R A C R E S • D E L C I T Y • N O R M A N • C H O C TAW • Y U K O N • S O U T H O K C • N O R T H O K C
HEA LT H
BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
Keeping Track
R
Health Expert Says Exercise Worth Watching
esearch suggests the main component of overall health and wellness is physical activity because it reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
However, according to Medical News Today, only 21 percent of adults are meeting the recommended guidelines and less than five percent get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity each day. “We know that getting up and being active is great for your heart, your joints and your mind,” said Bianca Braxton, a nurse practitioner at Primary Care - Noble. “But sometimes we feel like we need to do a full overhaul to see health benefits. “But that’s not the case.” Small changes can have a big impact, Braxton said. “Setting small, attainable goals will help you get where you want to be. With even 44 | January 2020
small amounts of weight loss, you’ll see less pain in your joints and increased energy so you will want to do even more.” One way that Braxton sets goals for herself is by using a wearable fitness tracker, and she encourages her patients to use them as well. “I am in love with my Apple watch and I get excited when I see my patients using them. It has been a huge driving force for me to get up and be active. It’s like a little encouraging friend on my wrist… a daily motivator for me.” Braxton says the most important feature that fitness trackers offer is their ability to measure your activity levels, typically measured in steps. “One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking (wearable fitness trackers) aren’t accessible. You don’t have to get something fancy,” Braxton said. “If you’re not tech savvy, I suggest starting with something simple so you can find success.
“Then, if you want to, you can upgrade to more sophisticated technology.” In addition to measuring your steps, fitness trackers also offer a way to set trackable goals and help you see how often you’re attaining those goals. “It’s a tool that can give you accountability,” Braxton said. “It gives you a number to work for each day.” Some can even alert you if you have been sedentary for too long. “It doesn’t really matter what you do to be active,” Braxton said. “It’s just important that you’re up moving and doing something to get your heart pumping.” If you are just starting out, Braxton cautions against jumping into too ambitious of a plan right off the start.
“Before you get into a rigorous fitness plan, you should check in with your primary care doctor first,” she said. “And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Before you attempt a new exercise or use a piece of equipment for the first time, check in with a trained professional so you don’t injury yourself because injuries just set us back.” Braxton recommends starting with trying to get 10,000 steps a day at first but says you shouldn’t get too fixated on the numbers. “Patients should focus on how they feel,” she encouraged. “Being active should make you feel better and feel better about yourself.” Braxton has worked in healthcare for more than 15 years and has worked in various clinical environments from emergency care to rehabilitation. She currently sees patients in her family care practice in Noble and is accepting new patients. – 19SM
