Today's Charlotte Woman January 2013

JANUARY 2013 VOL 16 | NO 9 | COMPLIMENTARY

Here’s To Your Health

Pip Gregson Forging Her Own Path

New Year, New Home Give It A New Attitude

Fashion Sugar Coat It This Winter

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EDITORIAL | MARKETING | BRANDING | COMMERCIAL PHO T O G RAPHY Michael C. Hernandez Happy-Go-Lucky, Photographer 704.737.1737 | capturehappy.com

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL C. HERNANDEZ

FromTheEditor

ife has a sick sense of humor,when you think about it.

I was trying to think about it. Trying hard to think about anything. But thinking had become a feat on par with creating a space shuttle from a beer can and a box of saltines and half a roll of masking tape.

I was struggling to think because,at the same time that I was writing and editing this issue — which focuses on all things health and wellness — I was also in the depths of a raging bout of the worst strain of flu to hit North Carolina in the last 20 years.

I made that last part up. But it’s OK. I’m high onTamiflu. I can do things like that.

Along for the flu ride was my 9-year-old daughter,who missed more school in one month than she has in all her school years combined.

It was my daughter’s first test-drive with the flu. Me, I’ve had the flu before. It’s just been a long time ago. I think I might’ve taken one of those 1989 flu models out for a spin,because my memories of the flu were not the sophisticated, kick-in-the-teeth 21st-century flu that recently came to visit.

I remembered body aches. And a bad cold. Maybe some fever?

I didn’t remember the stupor that made me wonder if all my brain cells had simultaneously hitched a ride down to Cape Canaveral. I didn’t remember the pains that ran the length of my legs and tweaked every joint.

I didn’t remember my sense of gravity disappearing, or feeling so disoriented I could have been drunk.

Most of all, I didn’t remember the stupidity. I could

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 6

Health & Wellness From The Sick House barely complete a sentence, much less edit a magazine about health and wellness and stuff like that.

I’ve always been one of those flu-shot snobs. You know the type. “I don’t do the flu shot,”I have been known to say, nose pointed in the air,much in the manner that others say,“I don’t believe in global warming.” It was simply one of those things I chose not to support.

Ironically, my sister left me a voice message days before I came down with the flu noting that, yes, she sounded like Mom,but she really thought I needed a flu shot.“It’s bad this year,” she said. “Really bad.”

See. There it is. Life’s sense of humor.

By the time I heard my sister’s message, the flu had arrived in my home like an ungrateful houseguest. Flu ran around my house, drinking cups of soda, then putting the glass on the counter and grabbing another glass from the cabinet,just for fun. Flu kept using all the clean towels and drinking all the orange juice and messing with the thermostat. (Why was it so hot? When did it get so cold? Why was my neck perpetually damp?) Flu used all the toilet paper and changed her clothes five times a day and scattered dishes full of half-eaten food all over the house. That Flu! When was she going to leave?

And then I doctored-up,and got me a dose of Tamiflu.

Did we talk aboutTamiflu already? I can’t remember.

But in case you’re wondering, the liquid version tastes like death mixed with tangerine. But who’s complaining? Not me. TheTamiflu works. It told Flu enough was enough, kicked her heiney out on the street, and slammed the door in her face.

I think that’s how it happened, anyway.

What were we talking about again?

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Contents January

2013

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DEPARTMENTS 6

Editor’s Letter Health & Wellness From The Sick House

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On The Move Charlotte Women Making Strides

14

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Girl Time

Fashion Sugar Coat It This Winter

Tips,Trends, And Fancies Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 8

40 26 At Home

Wine Up Carolina Treasures Bring World-Class Wines Close

New Year, New Home

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Beauty Go Au Naturel

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Queen City Jewels Happenings You Don’t Want To Miss

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Health Flash What You Need To Know To Stay Well

Volume 16, Number 9 January 2013

Publisher

Sharon Simpson

50 Associate Publisher

Fern Howerin

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Editor

Karsen Price

PROFILES 18 Flexing Her Muscles Shama Patel Puts A Unique Spin On Fitness

Sales Executive

Trisha Robinson

22 Forging Her Own Path Cyclist Pip Gregson Travels The Road From Anorexia To Wellness

Sales Executive

Carole Lambert

Creative Director

Kerrie Boys, idesign2, inc

Contributing Writers

Trevor Burton Dana Durham Deb Mitchell Joanne Morse Lee Rhodes

FEATURE

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 10

Contributing Photographer

50 Essay: Been There, Done That …

No Resolutions Here

Michael C. Hernandez

Editor Contact: karsenprice@hotmail.com P.O. Box 1676 • Cornelius, NC 28031 704.677.9159 Today’s Charlotte Woman is published by Venture Magazines Inc., and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout the greater Charlotte area.

Subscription rate is $20 per year for 12 issues.

OnTheCover Claire “Pip” Gregson rides on.

Photo By Michael C. Hernandez.

Copyright© 2012 Venture Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.

Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

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Today’s Charlotte Woman and Venture Magazines Inc. do not necessarily endorse the views and perceptions of contributors or advertisers.

Do you Koko?

For most of us, getting in shape is still boring, confusing and way too time-consuming.

Until now.

Koko FitClub, the “world’s first automated personal training studio,” is using state-of the art technology to make exercise simple, efficient and personal. As you walk in for the first time, you will notice that Koko is remarkably different from anything you’ve ever seen before.

Its patented Smartraining™ system takes the best of exercise science and designs a completely customized training plan that guides you through each step. These smart, high-efficiency cardio and strength training programs can be completed in just 30 minutes or less.

“Koko is for people who are done with the whole gym scene. We have jobs and families, and don’t have the time or desire to spend hours at gyms that don’t work for us anymore,” said Koko CEO Michael Lannon. “Thanks to our user-friendly technology, Koko is delivering a whole new, more efficient way to exercise than has ever been available before. We do all the planning and thinking so you don’t have to.

This means no more falling into ruts, no more wasting time figuring out what to do and no more disappointing results.”

And it’s simple. You just show up, pop in your personal Koko Key and you’re guided through a personalized, custom program based on your goals, individual strength and current fitness level. And Koko automatically adapts each day to the progress you’ve made so your body and mind stay continually engaged.

And it works. Shortly after joining Koko FitClub, Kathleen reached her goal weight and noticed a major difference in her shape.

“I love how the workouts are so quick and effective. I love that I can go work out and that it’s not intimidating. I love that there are always new workouts, so it keeps me engaged and doesn’t get boring,” she said.

Another part of the Koko experience people love is the ability to see results and progress in real time. Members have their own personal page on the MyKokoFitness website where they can track everything from their strength gains, to the number of calories burned to their gains in lean muscle levels.

“At Koko, we’re not just focused on simple weight loss. We’re building – and protecting – lean muscle, which in turn keeps your metabolism revved. Lean muscle burns calories at a rate three and a half times that of fat,” said Michael Wood, Koko’s CFO (Chief Fitness Officer), and one of Men’s Fitness top ten “Dream Team” of personal trainers nationwide.

With locations nationwide in nearly 30 states (and counting) and thousands of men and women across the country as members since first opening in 2009, Koko is literally becoming a nationwide movement.

“I was hooked immediately,” said Koko FitClub Member Nick. “Koko makes working out fun and it doesn’t require any planning. You just pick your program and get started. I can definitely see a change in my body type and I feel so much better during the day.”

In just 30 minutes or less, you can enjoy your comprehensive custom workout and get back to your life. You can be confident you’re making the most of your time because Koko’s cutting edge technology has already figured out your most efficient and effective workout. And Koko not only saves you time, but money. For the cost of just one session with a personal trainer, Koko FitClub gives you unlimited sessions each month.

Getting in shape has never been easier.

Learn more at KokoFitClub.com You are also welcome to stop by or call one of the locations listed below.

Colony Place Shopping Center 7731 Colony Rd., Suite F2 Charlotte, NC 28226 704-544-1774 NOW OPEN! Plantation Market Shopping Center 3022 Weddington Rd., Suite 200 Matthews, NC 28105 704-845-9878

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

Get in. Get out. Get on with your life.

Koko is for people who are done with the whole gym scene.

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WOMEN MAKING STRIDES • BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES

Job Changes/Promotions Johnson C. Smith University has hired Tori Scarborough as assistant to the president.

Michele Leopold was hired as the Mint Museum’s chief registrar; she will play a key role in overseeing the museum’s collections and exhibitions.

Katie Schwarting, with Bryan Cave, LLP, was promoted from associate to partner; Schwarting works with the Banking and Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights Client Service Groups.

Cathrine Cotman was hired by Cassidy Turley as senior vice president of strategy; she will lead portfolio optimization efforts with the company’s SunTrust account.

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 12

Jennifer Morgan was hired by Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP, as healthcare audit manager.

Lauren Leach was hired as development officer for the Arts and Science Council.

New Business/Changes Becky Knight, clinical sexologist and sexuality educator, has opened Living Sexuality in Plaza Midwood, at 1208 The Plaza. Knight specializes in women’s sexual health and satisfaction.

Mary Miller, owner of Charlotte Shoe Company, has moved the business from Birkdale Village in Huntersville, to the Town of Davidson, 202 S. Main St., Suite D.

Awards & Installations The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board of trustees has announced the establishment of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation; Robin Branstrom (right) was named chair, and Sally Robinson was named vice chair.

Assembly in Washington D.C. The award is the highest national award from the American Red Cross and recognizes a volunteer who has provided extraordinary service that extends to people and places beyond the local community.

Moore & Van Allen was included in the 2012-2013 U.S. News: Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings, both nationally and within the Charlotte, Charleston, and Raleigh regions; 19 of Moore & Van Allen’s Charlotte office practice groups received first-tier rankings.

Naho Kobayashi, a partner in McGuireWoods’ debt finance group, was recognized by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association as one of the 2012 “Best Lawyers Under 40.”

TellUsYourNews

On The Move Send announcements about hirings, promotions, honors, and new business development — all specifically about/for Charlotte-area women — along with

Elaine Lyerly has received the Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service from the American Red Cross Philanthropic

high-resolution images to Editor Karsen Price at karsenprice@hotmail.com.

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GirlTime T I P S ,

T R E N D S ,

A N D

F A N C I E S COMPILED BY KARSEN PRICE

Super Recipes For The NFL Fan In Your Life

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4 ripe avocados 1/2 red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)

1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (to taste) 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder (to taste) 1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped Cut avocados in half and remove the pits. Scoop avocado out of peels and place in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash the avocados. Add the chopped onion, lime, salt, pepper, and chili powder and mash together.

Keep tomatoes separate until you are ready to serve.

Store the guacamole dip in the refrigerator with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent it from browning.

Mix in the chopped tomato just before serving.

1 package (8 ounces) Neufchatel cheese, softened 6 ounces Lifeway Lowfat Plain Kefir 2 ounces hot wing sauce 2 ounces blue cheese crumbles 6 ounces cooked chicken breasts, diced

Spinach Dip

1/2 cup Lifeway Lowfat Plain Kefir

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 14

Game Day Guacamole

ooking for a new, healthy spin on the tired old collection of finger foods this football season? Just in time for Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3 in New Orleans, here are a few simple recipes, courtesy of Lifeway Foods:

1 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 cups Lifeway Lowfat Plain Kefir (or Lifeway Greek Style Kefir) 1 package dry onion soup mix 1 4-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and chopped 5 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 loaf round sourdough bread

Mix Neufchatel cheese with a whisk until soft and creamy. Stir in kefir a little at a time, until incorporated.

Stir in wing sauce until combined. Gently fold in blue cheese and chicken.

Pour into a baking dish and bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve with a platter of crisp and colorful vegetable dippers.

In a medium bowl, mix together mayo, kefir, dry soup mix, water chestnuts, and chopped spinach.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight. Remove the top of the sourdough bread, and hollow it out. Fill with spinach dip, and tear the bread from the inside into pieces for dipping.

From Green To Glam Reusable Bags Fit For A Queen or all you conservation-minded shoppers out there in the Queen City, have we got the “green” shopping bag for you.

Danielle Eldredge and Erika Jackson launched the company Conservation Queen in order to offer reusable shopping bags that take the idea of “green”and kick it up a notch to “glam.” The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company’s motto? “You can save the world and look good doing it!”

“Eco and gorgeous shouldn’t be mutually exclusive,” Eldredge says.

“Yes, we’re eco-conscious, but we’re still ‘girly girls.’ We like glitz and glam.”

The company takes your typical “hum-drum and hippified” reusable shopping bag, and adds pizzazz. Available in black, pink, and sapphire, the bags are adorned with rhinestones and bows, come in a variety of sizes, and are equally useful for mall shopping or a trip to the grocery store.

The two 20-something-year-old women created the company after graduating from college and meeting disappointment in the working world. Stuck in entry-level positions,they began dreaming of creating a business of their own. The two had a history of“glamorizing” their gently used frocks as teenagers; before long, the idea for Conservation Queen was hatched.

The company offers a variety of enviro-friendly bags, including the Blingin’ Black Beauty Shopper and the pink Grand Duchess Shopper ($19.99 each), as well as the CQ Wine Bag, for $14.99. For information, visit conservationqueen.com.

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

The Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery has unveiled new, state-of-the-art laser treatments for age spots, acne, fine lines and wrinkles—even tattoo removal.

See the results you’ve always wanted in no time. To look your best, choose the best—Dr. Sean Freeman and the Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery.

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PHOTOS

GirlTime

C O U RT E

SY OF SC HUMACH ER HOM ES

A Wild Ride Hitting The Track With Dale Jr.

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local woman recently enjoyed the NASCAR ride of a lifetime after winning a Ride-Along promotion courtesy of Schumacher Homes and the Dale Jr. Foundation, which benefits children’s organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Cherryville’s Misty Holtzman filled out an entry form at the Schumacher Homes design center earlier this year after deciding to work with the custom homebuilder to create her dream home. She never gave the contest a second thought … until she found out in late November that her entry form was the one plucked from the raffle box.

Her prize? A ride around Charlotte Motor Speedway with NASCAR fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind the wheel.

“I guess I was just in the right place at the right time!” Holtzman says.

It wasn’t the first time Holtzman has been on a race track — she has actually drag-raced on a sanctioned track before. “It was not the first time I have seen over 100 mph,” she says, “but it was definitely the closest I have ever been to 200 mph. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!”

She adds,“Meeting Dale Jr.and taking pictures with him was something I never imagined I would be able to do, let alone ride in a race car with him as the driver. How many others can say they have done that? Sitting beside Dale Jr., flying by the stands and spectators ... it was so awesome.”

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 16

History In The Making Presidential Factoid or the seventh time in history,the Presidential Inauguration is falling on a Sunday, which means there will be a one-day delay in the official ceremony. President Barack Obama will be privately inaugurated on Sun., Jan.20,and then he will publicly take the oath of office the next day, which happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. [TCW]

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Flexing Her Muscles

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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Shama Patel Puts A Unique Spin On Fitness

By Lee Rhodes | Photos By Michael C. Hernandez

When it comes to her business, Shama Patel is no stranger to firsts. Since opening Flex + Fit™, a lifestyle club that goes beyond traditional fitness gyms, she has garnered a series of notable firsts in such quick succession that if you blinked, you might have missed them.

Case in point: Flex + Fit is the first gym in the nation to offer an onsite healthy cooking kitchen. It’s a gym where members can find all manner of classes they’ve likely never experienced before: yoga for cross-fitters, hot barre classes, and a series of AIR® classes that has participants suspended in hammocks. Patel herself might be one of the first gym owners in the area to launch a gym despite having no previous fitness background other than the fact that she likes to workout.

Fit With A Twist Patel’s vision for Flex + Fit has its genesis in time she spent in Corporate America. After a ca-

reer as a financial consultant, Patel went to law school and worked as an attorney, a job that ultimately left her looking for something more.

“I didn’t want to buy into somebody else’s model; I wanted to start my own,” Patel says.

“Big box gyms work the same muscle groups, and people aren’t seeing results. I wanted to start a health club that houses the best boutique classes under one roof.”

In addition to boutique classes,an integral part of Patel’s vision is an emphasis on healthy eat-

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

“A lot of what you see in the fitness arena in general is repackaged with new marketing techniques,”Patel says. “There aren’t that many novel concepts. Aerobics will be back,but they’ll label it something else. Same with boot camps.

But because I don’t have that background,I look at it from a perspective of what I like to do.”

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“I’ve always said I didn’t leave my comfortable, cushy job to start a health club. I did it to start a movement.

We’ve had so many great accomplishments, and that’s what motivates me.” — Shama Patel

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 20

ing and balancing fitness with good nutrition. The healthy cooking kitchen leverages local area chefs to teach students how to make healthy meals. The AIR classes — Patel’s signature brand in which participants practice yoga, ballet, and core work in hammocks — are also key to the Flex + Fit model.

“Air hammock is all resistance and strength-training exercises,” Patel explains.

“When you’re lifting 20 to 30 pounds,that puts on bulk. When you’re lifting your own body weight [in the hammock], that puts on resistance. It’s more or less a big toy. People’s eyes light up when they see it.”

There’s even AIR Nap, a deep-stretch class that culminates in a snooze. “There is a lot research that goes into sleeping in a hammock,”Patel says. “We are replacing caffeine with an air nap!”

TheAIR business is poised to take flight, given recent licensing agreements. Individuals will soon be able to purchase a hammock for home use,along with an in-

structional, downloadable video.

Hammocks are sprouting up in corporate wellness rooms across the country, and existing studios and gyms are beginning to offer AIR classes led by certified instructors.

Part of Patel’s success,both with theAIR program and otherwise, stems from getting the word out. Flex + Fit has garnered its fair share of media exposure. It was featured on CNN within the first three months of opening, and is slated for an eight-episode Discovery Channel series in 2013. Last September, during the Democratic National Convention, the Huffington Post partnered with Flex + Fit for what was dubbed the “Huffington Post Oasis” — a private retreat designed to allow delegates, celebrities, and others, including Nancy Pelosi’s team, to enjoy the fitness center.

“We saw 4,000 people in four days,” Patel says, “and provided a spa, healthy food,yoga classes around the clock,a Harvard expert to coach on wellness and

overall well-being, meditation classes, AIR classes, and more.”

(Net)Working-Out The nontraditional gym concept is capturing the heart and minds of participants in astounding numbers, although class sizes at Flex + Fit are kept intentionally small in order to offer clients a personal level of attention. Nestled in the heart of uptown Charlotte on the ground floor of the Duke Energy Center — the largest tower in the city — Flex + Fit sees so many corporate clients that Patel says networking opportunities are a natural benefit afforded to members.

“My staff and I take the time to get to know each and every one of our members,” she says. “Every time someone comes to us about a career change, we have a name to connect them with. If there are two members in a class who are similar but don’t know each other, we’ll introduce them. Who knows what role they may end up playing in each other’s

lives? It’s very unique.”

Also unique is the role that Patel’s former career has played in her new one. “My background as an attorney has been helpful,”she says, “and I’ve done more legal work as a small business owner than I ever did at my law firm.”

Her experience came in handy recently in reviewing Huffington Post contracts, during the uphill battle she faced when dealing with the U.S. Patent Attorney’s Office in her efforts to trademark the AIR brand, and while drafting licensing agreements and working with third parties to bring new programs to the business. But unlike her previous job,her current“legal”work keeps her quite fulfilled, thank you very much.

“I’ve always said I didn’t leave my comfortable, cushy job to start a health club,” Patel concludes. “I did it to start a movement.

We’ve had so many great accomplishments, and that’s what motivates me.” [TCW] Lee Rhodes is a writer in Waxhaw who traditionally does her workouts on the ground, but finds the idea of hammock workouts very appealing.

We Are Here For You! L to R: Amanda R. Matthews, LPA, Jessica L. Massey, LCSW, Stanton Smith, MD, Mary Rucker-Office Mgr, Leah Parker, FNP-C, Cynthia Varterasian, LPC

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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Forging Her Own Path

Cyclist Pip Gregson Travels The Road From Anorexia To Wellness

By Deb Mitchell | Photos By Michael C. Hernandez

One look at Claire “Pip” Gregson, and you’d never imagine she has traveled a rocky path on her way to health and happiness.

At first glance, it might seem that the Charlotte cyclist, model, yoga instructor, mother, and entrepreneur has lived a perfect existence, one minus struggle or despair or heartbreak.

You know what they say about looks — they can be deceiving.

Taking Up Space Born Claire Louise Gregson, she moved from England as a child with her family to Lake Wylie, S.C. A student and later a coach at Charlotte Latin School, her roots in the Queen City run deep.

As former co-owner of Black Sheep Cycles and current owner of Black Sheep Cartel — a purveyor of cycling-oriented T-shirts and lifestyle apparel,as well as a bike team of which she is part — Gregson is no stranger to forging her own path.

She earned the nickname Pip due to her habit

of wearing pigtails. “I started wearing them whenever I was trying to do something difficult — I felt like they gave me power,” she says. “The name really stuck when I started doing the 24 Hours of Booty race. Each year, I wear a duct-tape skirt and put spokes in my pigtails so they stick out like Pippi Longstocking. It makes people smile during a tough ride.”

A fearless tomboy as a child, she felt at home on a court or a field. Everywhere else,she felt the discomfiture that comes from being exceptionally tall and gangly. “When people used ‘big’ to describe my height, man, I hated that,” she says.

“I was embarrassed to take up space.”

Despite her discomfort, by age 15, Gregson’s statuesque height and angular beauty landed her a job as a professional model. Outwardly, she seemed to have it all. Inwardly,she generally felt out of place. The seeds of an eating disorder were sprouting inside,and so when her agent said she needed to lose 10 pounds for her modeling

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

Gregson knows adversity. She is aware that healing, much like the brokenness that necessitates it, doesn’t always come in one fell swoop.

Instead, it comes bit by bit over time, and with lots of hard work.

Gregson is a recovered anorexic. And she’s not afraid to talk about it.

“I’m wide open about eating disorder,” she says.

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“It’s nice knowing that I’m not uncomfortable to take up space anymore. I’m tall and muscular, not tall and skinny.

And I feel more powerful now than I ever have in my life.” — Pip Gregson career,Gregson says,“It was like giving me a green light to go ahead and stop eating.”

Anorexia is characterized by a fear of gaining weight,a distorted body image,and a refusal to eat. The disease is so selfdestructive that many healthcare professionals consider it a slow form of suicide.

“It’s the weirdest thing to have wrong with you,” Gregson says. “People who haven’t gone through it have a hard time understanding.”

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 24

A Dangerous Cycle Over the years, Gregson’s sense of shame about her size,mixed with her perfectionist temperament,created a breeding ground for the disease. By the time she went to college,her eating disorder was full blown. “All I did was go to class, workout, and not eat,” she says.

At 5 feet,10 inches,Gregson realized she needed help when her weight hit an unhealthy 118 pounds. Thus began a pattern of struggle — where she would improve, gain weight,and then starve again.

Her life took an especially painful turn when her father became ill with leukemia.

“My dad was always my best friend growing up,” Gregson says.“The best feeling was hearing him yelling from the sidelines while I played soccer. I could always hear him shouting,‘Gregson,follow through and take no prisoners!’ ” Her father died in January 2000,after an arduous 18-month battle with leukemia.

The loss is still an open wound.

“I felt like I failed him because he never saw me get healthy,” she says.

Not long after losing her father,Gregson hit bottom. A skeletal 114 pounds, she decided she’d had enough. Although newly married, she checked herself into The Renfrew Center, a premiere treatment facility specializing in eating disorders in Charlotte. It was during her initial physical examination that she learned that, despite her dire medical condition, she was several months pregnant.

At Renfrew, Gregson began to heal.

She learned to eat properly for her baby, gained 50 pounds, and gave birth to a healthy son,now 10 years old and the light of her life.

Along the way to wellness,Gregson dis-

covered yoga and cycling. In a cosmic twist, an offhand comment by one of her yoga students, also a cyclist, brought Gregson’s healing to a whole new level. She was complaining about a tough ride,and she recalls the student pointing out that she was just “skin and bones”and needed to gain muscle for endurance.

“It was like a switch flipped in my brain,” she says. “I got it! That was the day I realized that if I wanted to improve, fueling my body and training was the way to do it.

Food became a source of greater good,not an enemy.”

Wheels In The Sky As her commitment to wellness gained momentum, so did her interest in cycling.

Before long, she was passionate about a unique type of cycling known as cyclocross, which Gregson describes as steeplechase on a road bike.

Within the cyclocross community and her racing team, Gregson has found acceptance and support. A regular participant in Charlotte’s 24 Hours of Booty,which raises money for cancer research, Gregson

rides in memory of her father.

Her journey from anorexia to health has been long and tough, but worth it. “I’ve learned a lot about myself from my eating disorder,” she says, “and mostly I have learned that it does not make up who I am.”

To others who are struggling to leave their own demons behind,Gregson offers encouragement. “Having a support system is a key component of recovery,” she says. “An eating disorder makes you live an overly private life, and so having someone to open up to is important. Wellness is about doing, being proactive. That includes knowing my past is not my present, and forward is the only direction I plan to go.”

Healing isn’t easy, but it is possible. And Gregson is living proof. “It’s nice knowing that I’m not uncomfortable to take up space anymore,” she says. “I’m tall and muscular,not tall and skinny. And I feel more powerful now than I ever have in my life.” [TCW]

Deb Mitchell, a writer living in Huntersville, enjoys telling the stories of strong women like Pip Gregson.

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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PHOTO COURTESY OF RUG & HOME

PHOTO COURTESY OF IKEA

AtHome

New Year, New Home Lighten & Brighten For 2013

By Karsen Price

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUG & HOME

ome for the holidays is a fast receding memory,and it’s all about happiness and light in the new year. Why not splash a bit of that fresh,new attitude around your home and give it the pick-me-up it deserves?

You don’t have to break the already holidaybeleaguered bank to give your home a much-needed update. From bright new throw pillows to a trendy shade of paint to a floor covering that demands, “Look at me,” it’s more than doable to brighten up and lighten up for 2013. It’s all about strategy. >

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF IKEA

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 28

Small Changes, Big Impact Rug & Home’s director of strategy Aanchal Agarwal Gupta says updating your home doesn’t have to be difficult.

You can make subtle changes to the feel of your abode by adding a few pops of color with a new piece of art, unique accessories, or accent pillows.

For a dynamic impact, incorporate all three in colors that coordinate, and change the entire look of a room. Or house!

“It’s a cinch to make your home look in-season and on-trend by bringing in hot-now fashion colors with a piece of art, a grouping of accessories, and a couple of accent pillows,” Gupta says.

“You can use these budget-friendly items to bring in trendy, home-decorating colors.”

Gupta notes that in 2012, gray was the new neutral, and it was often accented with pops of buttery yellow and tangerine tango. In 2013, navy blue will replace black, soft yellows

will still be a strong choice, and red will replace orange hues.

One accessory in particular is helpful when revamping a room: mirrors.

Gupta says the addition of a mirror is a simple way to open up a room and add appeal.

“Mirrors can be used to make a room look bigger, to bring a lovely outdoor scene inside, and to reflect more light into a space,” she says. “A mirror won’t clash with furniture like a painting or photograph, and it can blend

Brian Gott,marketing specialist with IKEA, suggests revamping your design by reflecting the different seasons throughout your home.

“By just changing the cushions on your sofa, armchair, or bed, you can change the style from fall to winter in an instant,” he says.

PHOTOS CO URTESY

Make subtle changes to the feel of your home by adding a few pops of color with art, unique accessories, or accent pillows.

OF RUG & HO ME

with any theme, from the simplest country home to the most upscale contemporary design.”

For those willing to make a bit more of an investment, consider purchasing an area rug.

“The easiest way to completely change the look and feel of any room in your home is with the addition of an area rug,”Gupta notes.

“It can be used to pull all of the colors in accents and accessories together to create a cohesive look, to add visual and textural interest, and it can take any room from drab to fab!”

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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& HOME TESY OF RUG PHOTO COUR

If your budget is on a“nospending” lockdown, Gott has good news: You don’t have to buy a single thing to bring new life to a room.

“Start with what you have, then apply a fresh eye and a few minutes,”he says. “Move the sofa to a new spot,or borrow a rug from another room. It doesn’t have to cost you anything; it’s about ideas.

There’s no right or wrong. If you can imagine it, try it!”

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 30

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARCELLA DAVIS-BURKS

Color My World Interior designer Marcella Davis-Burks, an IDS professional and fellow,says painting a room — or even just a single, prominent wall — is an easy and dramatic way to freshen up the home.

“Let color inspire you!”Davis-Burks says. “Whether your style preferences lean toward artisan, urban, coastal, or new tradi-

your ceiling color needs to be addressed to create an interesting and a more cohesive space,” Davis-Burks says.

She offers one note of caution, however, when considering a color-washed wall.

“If your architecture is angled and complicated, all of the walls in a room should be that same color, to anchor and lend balance to your surroundings,” she says.

Judy Gentry, marketing manager with Stickley Audi & Co., notes that an interesting trend is making a comeback, proving that everything old is new again. The trend? The return of gold and gold finishes in the furniture market.

“Gold is making a noticeable comeback,” Gentry says. “Actually, it has been emerging at furniture markets for a few years now, but has been overshadowed by the popularity of silver, nickel, and pewter finishes.”

Gentry notes that until recently, the trend is not one she has personally embraced — or at least “not since 1989,” she jests.

That said, she admits she has found herself embracing the newer gold finishes, namely because they are superior to the gold finishes of the past.

“The new golds are toned-down matte finishes,” she explains. “They are warm and inviting, and they can be used equally as well in a casual setting as a stately setting.

They are a modern take on the old brass finishes of the ’80s,and

tional, simple changes in your color palette can be the most effective and affordable way to spruce up your interior spaces.”

She adds, “Benjamin Moore’s lemon sorbet (2019-60), is 2013’s Color of the Year. It’s the perfect yellow paint color for walls, ceilings, and trim, and it complements any décor.”

Davis-Burks notes that homes are often designed with the perfect accent wall — places where a color splash can be used as the focal point. And don’t forget to look up! “Often,

they are refined with just the right amount of understated opulence. So never say never. Gold is back in a big way, and I am in!” [TCW] ToLearnMore Visit Rugandhome.com; Ikea.com; MarcellaDavis-Burks.com; and Stickleyaudi.com.

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SugarCoat Warm Things Up This Winter

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d Artfully Beautiful Bednar Cosmetic Surgery Offers New Tools & Subtle Results

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Dr. Bednar is board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, and has been recognized for years as one of the top plastic surgeons in Charlotte for procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and facial rejuvenation.

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to chronic headaches and migraines, or pain in the head and neck.”

Charlotte Headache Center offers a quick, three-point, pain-free diagnostic exam that can identify these problems. If bite force issues are detected, as they are in many cases, Dr. Harrell will prescribe a customized treatment plan that promises lasting relief in just three months.

“First, we have to fix the bite force imbalances. If we balance the bite, we’ve fixed the source of the problem. But the bite problems are only half the battle. We also must fix the muscle problems. We do that with laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, and other FDA-approved techniques originally designed for sports medicine rehabilitation therapy,” says Dr. Harrell.

Patients generally receive one treatment each week for three months for complete relief, but many report feeling much better after the first visit.

Hundreds of patients have been treated since the establishment of Charlotte Headache Center in 2011.

As a result, it has become the go-to practice for patients who had lost hope.

“There is hope,” Dr. Harrell assures. “With this new blend of treatments, we boast a success rate of close to 90 percent for patients who are accurately diagnosed. We can help you feel better. Give us a call.” [TCW]

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

re you one of the 45 million Americans suffering from chronic headaches or migraines? Is your medicine cabinet overflowing with every analgesic on the market, but you’re still suffering from the pain? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you owe it to yourself to call Dr. Robert Harrell, DDS, at Charlotte Headache Center. The reality is your pain could be caused by a dental bite force imbalance.

“We see lots of patients suffering with pain — chronic headaches, migraines, neck pain, and jaw pain,” says Dr. Harrell. “They’ve sought relief with traditional medicine and have seen primary care physicians, chiropractors, neurologists, and ENTs, but nothing helps.”

The reason for this, he explains, is most doctors are only treating the symptoms and have not discovered the root of the problem.

Dr. Harrell adds, “Consumers spend hundreds of millions of dollars on migraine medications each year in the U.S., but those medications usually act like a Band-Aid and provide temporary relief. Our goal is to find the cause of the pain and fix it. Many people suffer from temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, problems. In addition, there may be a force imbalance in the mouth that is causing the pain. Most people just don’t fit the two ideas together — they don’t link bite problems and TMJ

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Carolina Treasures World Class Wines A Hop, Skip & A Jump Away

By Trevor Burton

I

n my mind, there’s no greater pleasure than tasting a glass of wine with the winemaker who made it.

Any good winemaker puts his or her heart and soul into the wine as it gets shaped. The variables are many: Whether it’s how the vines are cared for as the grapes grow and mature, how the wine is aged before it’s presented to consumers, or how the wines are blended together, the wine that results is a unique expression of that particular winemaker. When you’re sharing a wine with its winemaker, it’s almost like you’re sipping on a liquid embodiment of his or her philosophy.

Happily, you don’t have to travel far to do a little liquid philosophizing. One of the joys of living in the Charlotte area is we have so many great winemakers right in our backyard.

Local Wines Meet World Stage North Carolina’s production of wine ranks No. 7 in the United States. Yes, we’re tiny if you compare us to California, but seventh position is nothing to sneeze at. What’s more important, increasingly, North Carolina wines are being made from the vitis vinifera, the noble grapes you associate with the fine wines from California and Europe.

I can give you data and statistics, but here’s the best indication of how good our state’s wines are. A few years ago, I worked with one of the best chefs in Paris to create a meal at his restaurant that was paired with wines made by Michael Helton at Hanover Park in Yadkinville. Some French wine aficionados (and they were a tough bunch) attended. They were blown away by the quality of the wine. We took some of it back to the kitchen to share with the staff that had created our meal.

Their reaction was to pull out an atlas and ask,“Where is this North Carolina?”

You can’t get a better accolade than that.

Liquid Philosophy My wife, Mary Ellen, and I recently spent a couple of pleasant hours tasting wine with Sean McRitchie, at the McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks in Thurmond, N.C. (Thurmond is just a little west of Elkin.) Sean McRitchie knows his stuff, and his wines surely show it. McRitchie was raised deep in Oregon’s wine country, and he has made wine in Australia and in the Alsace region of France. McRitchie and his wife, Patricia, came to North Carolina from Oregon and played a major part in the creation of Shelton Vineyards. They fell in love with North Carolina as a place to make their own wine and raise their family.

Goody for us.

The couple started from scratch in Thurmond, and that’s where McRitchie’s philosophy starts to come into play. He wanted a vineyard with some altitude in order to mitigate the heat and humidity of the Yadkin Valley, and he wanted rocky and challenging soil, which would make his vines really struggle.

It’s when vines have to struggle that their real character comes out, because the vines have to dig deep to find moisture and nutrients — and all of that passes through to the grapes.

Vines are like people; struggling and overcoming adversity bring out the character in both.

Over the years, Trevor Burton has found the best part of being a wine aficionado is time spent liquid philosophizing.

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

A Taste Of Place Most importantly, McRitchie wanted to create wines that reflect North Carolina. He has little time for winemakers who want to produce a California-style wine in our state. It’s an impossible dream; North Carolina is not California! The wines McRitchie makes have a taste of place — and that place is a few, select, rocky hillsides in Thurmond.

Actually, his “taste of place” convictions run even deeper than that. McRitchie likes to pair his wines with food that is also local. He’s been known to go hunting close by to bring home meats, and then to get produce from a local farmer, all with the goal of preparing just the right kind of meal to go along with his wines.

When my wife and I visited McRitchie, one of the wines we shared was a Chardonnay grown just across from where we were tasting. It’s a wine that had been aged in French oak barrels. As we discussed how to pair the wine with local food, a word came out of each of our mouths at the same time: “Barbecue.” Don’t be surprised if you attend an event at McRitchie Winery and come across some local barbecue paired with

McRitchie’s Chardonnay.

One wine in particular — the Petit Verdot — shows how far McRitchie goes to express North Carolina in his wines. Petit Verdot is a grape you seldom see in a wine all by itself. It’s widely used in Bordeaux as a blending grape to give depth of color and flavor. The reason McRitchie chose it for his vineyard is that rather than growing in tight clusters, the grape grows loose. There’s plenty of space for air to circulate between the grapes, and that’s important in North Carolina, because our humidity causes rot in tight grape clusters. That danger compels growers to harvest early, before any rot has the opportunity to set in. McRitchie chose Petit Verdot because the lack of rot gives grapes a chance for a long ripening on the vine, and that brings out the character of North Carolina soil.

And it works. This wine is deep, almost inky in color. It is deep in flavor, too, featuring lots of dark fruit such as black currant and blackberry. Add to that the flavors of cedar and leather, and you’re into a serious wine. In fact, this is a wine that I’m taking along on my next visit to the City of Light. I guarantee you that it will send people scurrying to find their atlases. [TCW]

41

Go Au Naturel

Beaut y…

By Dana Durham

The Old-Fashioned Way

O

ne look at the ingredient list of your everyday cosmetic or skincare product can look much like chemical warfare. However, there is an increasing push for products that are chockfull of good, old-fashioned, natural ingredients. If it’s good for the earth, it must be good for you, right? Check out our collection of organic and/or natural products, and revel in beauty products with an ingredient list you can actually pronounce.

Celadon Road Serum & Scrub

Combat aging with Pink Grapefruit & Vitamin C Serum, $30; and revitalize naturally with Exfoliating Grapefruit Scrub, $36.

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Paraben and sulfate free, these shampoos, conditioners, and finishing products uncover hair’s natural beauty; from $20 to $26.

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 42

This rich, low-lathering, sulfate-free cleansing conditioner leaves hair moisturized, and frizz-free; $30.

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Created with essential oils, herbs, organic oats, nuts, butters, and clays, this natural and healing line includes cleansers, toners, oils, eye butter, scrubs, and clay masks; from $10 to $24.

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[TCW]

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HAPPENINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Singing Sisters Broadway Smash Hits Charlotte

K PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

ick off 2013 righteously with the Broadway musical smash “Sister Act” Jan. 8 through Jan. 13, at Ovens Auditorium.

As part of the 2012-13 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series, “Sister Act” tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, who winds up seeking refuge in a convent after witnessing a crime. Under the watch of Mother Superior, Van Cartier helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she rediscovers her own. The musical features original music by eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken.

WantToGo? Ovens Auditorium is located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

Visit blumenthalarts.org or call 704/372-1000.

Just Dance

WantToGo? Knight Theater is located at 430 S.Tryon St. Visit carolinatix.org or call 704/372-1000.

A CAROLINA TESY OF OPER PHOTO COUR

F

O

pera Carolina is offering Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” Jan. 19 through Jan. 27, at Belk Theater.

Performed in English,“The Magic Flute” is an allegorical tale of love, honor, and bravery featuring Prince Tamino and the beautiful Pamina … not to mention the protective Magic Flute.

WantToGo? Belk Theater is located at 103 N.Tryon St. Visit Operacarolina.org or call 704/372-1000.

Comic Relief 12th Annual Laugh For The Cure

T

he Charlotte affiliate of Susan G. Komen is offering the 12th annual Laugh For The Cure Feb. 2, at Knight Theater. The event is one of the most unique charity fundraisers in the area, and spotlights a hilarious PG-13 standup comedy routine

by John Heffron, winner of the “Last Comic Standing.”

In addition to belly laughs, Laugh For The Cure includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent and live auction, and food and drinks. Proceeds benefit Komen Charlotte.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

WantToGo? Visit komencharlotte.org for information or to purchase tickets. [TCW]

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

or the first time in 30 years, the Martha Graham Dance Company is performing in Charlotte, courtesy of the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture. The program, which includes the Charlotte premiere of Graham’s 1944 masterpiece, “Appalachian Spring,” and the live performance of Aaron Copland’s score, is coming to Knight Theater Jan. 18.

The Martha Graham Dance Company is one of the most-revered dance troupes in the world, and a vessel for the groundbreaking 20th-century choreography of modern dance pioneer Martha Graham.

The program also will include “Imperial Gesture,” a lost Graham work reconstructed

by UNC Charlotte assistant professor of dance and former Graham dancer Kim Jones.

Opera & Allegory PHOTO BY JOHN DEANE

Martha Graham Dance Co. Returns

Magical Melody

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All Ceramic Crowns For Beautiful Smiles

ed etal support Smile with m wns porcelain cro

Dr. Ross W Nash Ross W Nash, DDS, is one of only 46 Accredited Fellows in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, meaning he has acquired extraordinary skills in the area of esthetic and cosmetic dentistry. Founder of the Nash Institute for Dental Learning, Dr. Nash is the epitome of “expert.” Here, he answers questions about All Ceramic crowns .

Q: Why do some caps on teeth have black lines at the gum and look darker than the surrounding natural teeth?

A: Conventional crowns (sometimes called “caps”) are made with a metal foundation to support the porcelain surface. This metal keeps light from penetrating into the tooth so it appears darker and the metal itself can shine through the porcelain causing a visible “black line” at the gum line.

Q: What can be done to improve the appearance of these types of crowns?

A: All Ceramic crowns can be used to replace the older type of metal supported crowns. The new ceramic materials have enough strength to function without a supporting metal foundation. Light is transmitted through them to the underlying natural tooth structure allowing it to be illuminated. Therefore, there is no black line and the crown exhibits a vital appearance.

Close up view of crowns s howing “black line”

All Ceramic Crown on a mirror surface

Q: Are All Ceramic crowns more expensive than porcelain fused to metal crowns?

A: The cost of these esthetic crowns are normally equivalent to the previous metal supported porcelain crowns.

Many people are choosing to replace their previous restorations with All Ceramic crowns because of the superior esthetic results and they are choosing All Ceramic crowns when new restorations are needed or desired.

Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 44

403 Gilead Road, Suite E • Huntersville 704/895-7660 CosmeticDentistryofthe Carolinas.com

Close up o crowns repl f new All Ceramic acing pr supported c evious metal rowns

Smile enhancement with All Ceramic crowns

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Clench, Don’t Choke Try This Trick When Under Pressure

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Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013

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Right-handed seniors may be able to improve their balance by clenching their left hand before walking or climbing stairs.

t sounds a little like hocus-pocus, but right-handed athletes who squeeze a ball in their left hand or clench their left fist can activate parts of the brain that help boost their athletic performance in high-pressure situations.

German researchers tested the skills of soccer players, judo experts, and badminton players during practice, and then in stressful competitions. They found that right-handed players who squeezed a ball in their left hand before competition were less likely to choke under pressure than right-handed players who squeezed a ball in their right hand.

The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

Skilled athletes practice the movements associated with their sport until the skills become automatic. Lead researcher Juergen Beckmann, chairman of sports psychology at the Technical University of Munich, explains that when a well-prepared athlete fails to perform well under pressure, it may be because they are focusing too much on their movements (rumination).

They would be better off to rely on the motor skills they have developed through years of practice.

“Rumination can interfere with concentration and performance of motor tasks,” says Beckmann. “Athletes usually perform better when they trust their bodies, rather than thinking too much about their own actions or what their coaches told them during practice.”

The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body; the left hemisphere controls the right side. Previous research found that rumination is associated with the brain’s left hemisphere, while the right hemisphere is linked with superior performance in the automatic movements of skilled athletes.

Researchers noted that only right-handed athletes were studied, because some relationships between different areas of the brain in left-handed people aren’t as well understood.

The findings may be helpful for non-athletes as well, including the elderly, who may focus too much on their own movements out of a fear of falling. For instance, right-handed seniors may be able to improve their balance by clenching their left hand before walking or climbing stairs.

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HealthFlash

I Knew That Was Going To Happen

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Can The Body Anticipate The Future? our body may be able to predict events that are about to happen, even without outward clues or warnings.

Researchers at Northwestern University analyzed the results of 26 studies published between 1978 and 2010, and published their findings in the journal Frontiers in Perception Science.

Study author Julia Mossbridge, a research associate in the visual perception, cognition, and neuroscience laboratory at Northwestern University, says it has already been shown that the subconscious mind often knows more than the conscious mind. What hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been clear is whether humans can truly predict the future.

For example, she says, a worker playing a video game while wearing headphones wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to hear if the boss was coming around the corner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But our analysis suggests that if you were tuned into your body, you might be able to detect these anticipatory changes between two and 10 seconds beforehand and close your video game,â&#x20AC;? Mossbridge says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You might even have a chance to open that spreadsheet you were supposed to be working on. And if you were lucky, you could do all of this before your boss entered the room.â&#x20AC;?

The ability to sense something before it happens is called presentiment, as in sensing the future, but she admits itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still not clear if people are actually sensing the future.

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The Power Of Breast-Feeding Nursing May Cut Risk Of Tumors study by researchers at Columbia University found that breast-feeding might reduce a woman’s risk for estrogen receptornegative and progesterone receptornegative (ER/PR-) breast cancer.

ER/PR- breast cancer is difficult to treat, because ER/PR- tumors have cells that don’t carry a protein on their surface that binds to the hormones estrogen or progesterone. Therefore, they can’t be treated with standard hormone-based therapies.

The study, which included more than 4,000 women with breast cancer and nearly 3,000 women without cancer, suggests that women at risk for this type of tumor should be encouraged to breast-feed.

York City, says there may be a plausible reason for the findings.

“Obviously, the breasts are meant to serve as an organ that produces milk for a newborn,” she says.

“Breasts are in an immature state until one’s first pregnancy. Theoretically, if left in the immature state, breasts are not developing in the manner that nature intended.

This altering of what nature intended may be the reason why women who do not breast-feed have a higher rate of cancer.”

The exposure or withdrawal of hormones as a woman nurses an infant may also play a factor.

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The study found that having three or more children but not breastfeeding was linked to an increased

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“We found an increased risk for estrogen receptor-negative and progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer in women who do not breast-feed, but in women who have children and breast-feed, there is no increased risk,” says study co-author Meghan Work, a doctoral student in the department of epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Data from the Breast Cancer Family Registry was used to examine the link between ER/PR- breast cancer and women’s reproductive risk factors.

The study found that having three or more children but not breast-feeding was linked to an increased risk for ER/PR- breast cancer. Women who did breast-feed had no increased risk for ER/PR- cancer.

Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New

47

HealthFlash

Step In The Right Direction The Best Running Shoes For You here’s nothing worse than running in a pair of shoes that don’t fit properly. According to Runpals.com, pinpointing the amount of “pronation” your foot makes during stride is the first step to finding the perfect pair of shoes.

Pronation is the natural degree that your foot rolls inward during each stride, and it helps cushion your body weight and absorb shock. But if you pronate too much or too little, and you wear a pair of shoes that doesn’t correct the problem, you can wind up with aching shins and ankles, or do permanent damage.

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Determine your pronation at home by doing what is called the Wet Test: 1. Place a baking sheet on the floor and fill with ¼ inch of water.

2. Put an opened paper grocery bag beside the pan, and remove your shoes and socks.

3. Place one foot into the water, then step into the paper bag for two seconds.

4. Step off the bag, and take a look at the footprint to study your arch.

If you are like 55 percent of runners and have normal pronation, half of your arch will appear in the footprint. You need a shoe with moderate arch support, and lucky you, the selection of shoes is abundant!

If the Wet Test shows your entire footprint, you

have a low arch like 40 percent of runners, and you overpronate. Your feet roll too far inward, which can lead to a number of running injuries, include ankle pain and shin splints.

You need a straighter shoe, such as a motion-control or stability shoe to reduce pronation.

Last, if your footprint arch is very thin, or does not connect at all, you have a high arch, and you probably fall into the small group of runners who underpronate. Your feet don’t absorb shock well, and you need extra cushion in your shoes, which can help the foot naturally roll inward.

The Wet Test is just one part of the equation, however; some runners with high arches overpronate and vice versa.

When in doubt, ask for help at your local running store, such as Run For Your Life. Regardless of whether you get help or go it alone, always try shoes on, and wear them around the store before you buy, noting any pressure points. Last but not least, ask other runners what brands they prefer.

Maximize The Burn Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 48

Exercises That Expend The Most Calories o run or to walk? That is the question … when you are trying to pinpoint the best way to burn the most calories. According to Livestrong.com, the number of calories a person burns depends on the weight of the person and the intensity of the exercise. Certain exercises maximize more calories spent than others, and you might be surprised which is the biggest burner! [TCW]

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Activity

Calories Burned Per Hr

Stretching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180 Light weightlifting . . . . . . . .220 Walking (3.5 mph) . . . . . . . .280 Bicycling (> 10 mph) . . . . . .290 Dancing, light gardening, or golfing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330 Intense weightlifting, heavy yard work, or vigorous basketball . . . . . . . .440 Walking (4.5 mph) . . . . . . . .460 High-impact aerobics . . . . . .480 Jogging (5 mph) . . . . . . . . . .590 Swimming slow freestyle . . .510 Running (8 mph) . . . . . . . . .986 Rollerblading . . . . . . . . . . . .913

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T Today’s Charlotte Woman | January 2013 50

Been There, Done That No Resolutions Here

By Joanne Morse

he countdown is done, and just like that the new year has begun. With it comes the onset of what I consider to be one of the most mystifying concepts of all time: The New Year’s resolution.

Many have played the game, but how many actually make it to the finish line? Somehow, the resolution has developed into a rite of passage a person has to go through in order to pay homage to the dawn of the new year. Well, I say, “Bah Humbug” to all that stress — because when all is said and done, that’s what the whole resolution thing has brought me in the past. A sense of stress.

Sure, it’s the new year, with its promise of new opportunities and a chance to start over ... to get things right, so to speak. I fully support the concept and wish luck to those embarking on yet another resolution-making spree. As for me, ho hum … been there, done that.

But I’ll take a moment to play nice. If a resolution was in the cards for me this year, maybe this would be the year I resolve to make my bed every day. But then I think: Why start now?

It has served me well unmade for 40 years. It’s way more inviting when it’s not made, anyhow. Besides, who am I trying to impress?

Or, maybe I could actually attempt the feat of taking the clean clothes out of my laundry basket and putting them away on a consistent basis, rather than pulling them out on a needto-wear basis. Nah! The end result is the same — eventually my clothes move from the basket to another location, and then the process starts all over again.

Oh, wait a minute! I have a good one. How about I make that oh-so-familiar New Year’s resolution to get skinnier ... to get my body where it actually matches up with the mental picture in my head? But then it hits me that the feat would require defying the law of gravity — woman’s enemy No. 1. And you know, I’ve heard duct tape is quite the versatile, all-purpose, fixanything-in-a-pinch type tool. Hmmm — I wonder!

This year, I have decided to sit the whole resolution thing out. I hear the arguments everywhere. “But it’s tradition …” or, “Don’t you want to reach for a goal?” Of course I do, but I want to do it with a mantra, not a resolution. My mantra for the new year is,“Strong is the New Skinny.” And while I can’t take credit for the creation of that powerful statement, I plan to put it to good use, nevertheless. This year, I want to redefine what really matters to me. There was a time when skinny was my top priority every new year. I’m over it! Now, my focus is to be strong … strong in all the ways that encompass who I am and who I continually strive to be: a strong woman, wife, and mother, and one with a strong body, mind, and soul. [TCW]

Joanne Morse is a metabolic-effect certified personal trainer, and self-described “bare-footin’, bare-food lovin’, back-to-basics lover of fitness and nutrition.”

Read her blogs at barefootbarefood.com.

A Toast . .

A New Year A New You

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