November 18th, 2009 03:02pm
Julie Gulbrandsen
Woke up the other morning to find a wild turkey standing on my deck and I watched with amazement because I couldn’t help but notice his jiggling neck every time he moved his tiny little head. After my becoming one with nature moment was over I ran to the bathroom mirror to closely examine the evidence. There it was! The beginning of my very own waddle.
Now that Thanksgiving Day is approaching, I will not only be grateful for my loved ones, health, happiness, food on my plate and material possessions I will also be thankful for the turkey. For without the turkey I, and countless others wouldn’t be so concerned with the stigma of the waddle better known as “turkey neck”.
Back when I went to beauty school and through years of numerous department store cosmetic training we were all told “the neck is the first thing to age because the head is the heaviest part of the body and it is the head that holds up the neck”. If this were truly the case why is it my knees are still somewhat visible?
While working the cosmetic counters it was my job to sell ridiculously over priced lotions, serums, tonics and cremes. I could never understand why one needed to have an extra special potion for the neck in addition to the stockpile of jars ready to be purchased. I was just doing what I was getting paid to do in the glamorous cosmetic world. “Selling hope in a jar”, a term coined by Charles Revson.
The truth is we can smooth the appearance of the skin on our necks and plump up fine lines and wrinkles with topical prescription meds and cosmeceuticals but how do we get rid of the darn sagging flap? I spoke with board certified plastic surgeon William N. Georgis, M.D. and asked him why we get turkey neck. He explained to me “it’s not just our skin that sags as we get older but also the muscles that are attached to our cheekbones, jaw and neck. As time goes by these muscles along with skin and fat begin to relax” creating that waddle. How can we prevent our necks from aging? Are those new neck exerciser machines on drug store shelves worth the investment? He said there really isn’t anything we can do to prevent hereditary turkey neck but we can “restore our necks to look like teenagers again with a rhytidectomy (facelift)”. So let us be thankful for all we have even for the little extra under our chins. By the way…do you think I will be able to find an extra large piggy bank on Black Friday?
November 18th, 2009 10:57am
Kelly Epperson
This time of year people start thinking about being “thankful.” They force themselves to think of one thing every day, and for some (at least what I read on Facebook), it can be a struggle.
With all things, by making it a habit, it becomes so much easier. Thankfulness can flow from you every day if you pay attention to it. I write about this topic all the time. Keep a joy journal, a gratitude journal, a “hey something went my way today” journal. And because I am so easy on you, if grabbing a cheap spiral notebook and a pen is too much work at first, make the list in your head every night before bed.
Think of three things that you can be thankful for at the end of each day. The guy with the overloaded grocery cart let me and my gallon of milk go ahead of him in the checkout line. I got my VISA bill and it was not as much as I was expecting. My sons put their laundry away without me telling them five hundred times.
This is not an exercise for the month of the November. It’s for the rest of your life. Start small and you will be amazed at your thankfulness fitness level a few months from now. You will be able to fill lots of cheap notebooks and maybe even want to upgrade into an elegant bedside journal with a cover that makes you smile. And that is one more thing to be thankful for, so go ahead and put it on your list. When your thankfulness health improves, your overall health improves. Try it and see for yourself.
November 17th, 2009 11:12am
Jan Jann
Thanksgiving – a time to share food, family, friends, and fun. Coming from a large family – there are nine of us children – I have many fond memories of family-oriented Thanksgivings activities that span the generations. During my adolescent years – back in the mid 60s – after Thanksgiving dinner we’d clear the coffee table away from the middle of the room, put a Frank Sinatra record on the phonograph and dance. I learned the box step first and eventually a few swing moves. Dad was a pretty good dancer back then. And even today, I still enjoy dancing with him at weddings and such.
As we grew up, moved away and started young families of our own, thanksgiving was the one holiday that all the siblings attempted to come home for. At the peak of our “young family” period there would be up to 37 people converging on Mom and Dad’s for Thanksgiving dinner. You can imagine the excitement, yes, even chaos. So this generation’s Thanksgiving Day usually started out at the YMCA with all of the children going to family swim. Mom, who had been since the crack of dawn, would shoo us out of the hours for a few hours to put the finishing touches on the dinner. We’d take all the kids to the Y and let them burn off energy in the pool. After swimming we’d get cleaned up and go home to a great meal. It’s amazing how water activity not only stimulates the appetite, but burns off excess energy – the kids were always best behaved after an hour in the pool, a warm shower and a great meal. We’d end our day playing board games.
Now that my children are grown and have kids of their own, the “traditions” continue to change. We now play interactive video games like bowling and baseball. If the weather cooperates, we might go shoot hoops in the driveway, or take the little kids up to Walker School to play on the swings. Or maybe this year we’ll find Frank Sinatra on the internet (don’t think we have the old records any longer) and have Great Grandpa teach the next generation how to box step.
November 11th, 2009 12:23pm
Kelly Epperson
Is a donut good for you? Most folks would say of course not, and I would agree. But what if that donut is a gift from your teenage son who got up early on his day off school, walked to the donut shop bringing home donuts for himself, his brother and his mama?
I would say a sweet kid who brings his mom a sweet treat is definitely a good thing.
We need to watch our eating habits and donuts should not be a part of a daily diet. We also need to ENJOY that occasional pleasure.
If you take care of yourself, your whole self, you know that food is not just fuel; it is to be enjoyed. If you maintain regular good habits, you can have a so-called guilty pleasure once in a while. Just skip the guilt. But don’t skip the workout.
Establishing healthy eating habits and a workout routine create a lifestyle where you can savor good food. No, a donut is not good food, but I can eat one and not beat myself up about it. I know I will go to my workout class tonight (Rockford Academy UBC class – check it out; tonight is wine night too.) I know I rarely eat donuts and one will not be the end of me. I also know that life is meant to be enjoyed.
Healthy lifestyle is not a strict regimented joyless place. If all you do is count your steps and count your calories, are you truly living life? The idea is to live longer, live healthier, live happier. So indulge once in a while and do not feel bad about it. The sky won’t fall, you won’t gain ten pounds, and the Fitness Police will not arrest you.
Maintaining an overall healthy ATTITUDE is really what is good for you. Excuse me while I wipe the sugar off my lips.
November 4th, 2009 05:00am
Kelly Epperson
A 35-mile crack in the Ethiopian desert has made headlines that a new ocean will form. Hmm. When I was in school, I had learned there were four oceans. (If a new ocean does indeed happen, who gets to name it?) I had also learned that our solar system had nine planets. Scientists have now demoted Pluto from planet status. Hmm. Students of geography also know that countries change names and boundaries too. The lesson here? Things change.
Whether we like it or not, or whether we agree with it or not, life is ever evolving. Life around us and life within us. I venture to say that our inner evolution is more important than global happenings, but we’ll save that for a cocktail party debate. Drinks, anyone?
We need to be a participant in our outer world. We also need to be aware that we too are here to change and to grow. We need to face and embrace the change in our own personal status. I was a young girl, then a young mother, now a not-so-young woman with two teenagers. Do I want to go back? No. Do I want to fast-forward into the future? No.
The most important thing we can do is to learn to be alive in the here and now. The me that I am today is not the same me that I was a year ago. I have had experiences, good and bad, that shape me. Every day, every month, every year, we are continually affected by our outer relationships. How we handle them is the inner growth.
Some people adopt a negative spin. If you think the world sucks, then your world will. If you think life ain’t so bad, your world will be considerably brighter. Clothes do not make the man. Attitude does. And it takes honing and toning.
Maybe you are naturally a glass half-full kind of person. Most of us have to make the choice to see the positive. But what a difference it makes. Take one week and choose to see the positive. Take one week and every time you start to complain, stop yourself. Take one week and focus on all the good in your world - inner and outer.
My money says you will see and feel a difference. We can marvel. We can appreciate. Some days, we can simply take a deep breath and trudge on. I know people who eat right and exercise, but neglect the inner self. They take care of the body to look good, but what about working out the soul to feel good? Isn’t feeling good the real goal?
Take the one week attitude adjustment challenge. I promise you, when you take care of your inner health, it makes the diet and exercise come easier too. If planets and oceans can change, we can too.
www.kellyepperson.com
November 3rd, 2009 05:37pm
Jan Jann
Y«Vets – Serving Those Who Served Us
For the men and women who proudly served our nation - their sacrifices and efforts have earned them the support of our community and of our local YMCA. Rockford’s YMCA has partnered with the Vet Center and Vietnam Veterans Honor Society to offer the new Y«Vets Program. For $25 disabled veterans can utilize the YMCA facilities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday from 1 to 3 PM for a six-month period.
This program gives full facility access to veterans who could benefit from rehabilitative exercise and recreation. Facilities at both the downtown Pennock Branch and the Northeast Branch in Loves Park include a warm water pool, exercise and rehab equipment, and recreation on the basketball courts. The Pennock Branch also features an indoor track, whirlpools, steam rooms and saunas. Fitness and exercise classes offered during these times are included at no additional charge.
This offer is extended to all disabled veterans from all branches of the military. Special thanks go out to Nick Parnello, Sr. from the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society and Jim Elliot at Vet Center Rockford Outstation who worked diligently through the details to get this collaboration started. For more information contact the Vet Center at 815-395-1276 or the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society at 815-968-1040.
November 2nd, 2009 10:46pm
Betsy A. Hornick, MS, RD
You may chew gum to freshen your breath or maybe you just enjoy the taste, but did you know there are health benefits from chewing gum? It is well known that chewing sugar-free gum after eating can help clean your teeth. Emerging research shows that other benefits of chewing include stress relief; better focus, alertness, and concentration; and weight management.
In Wrigley-sponsored research, gum chewers report feeling more calm and relaxed in dealing with everyday stress when they chewed gum. Research also found the act of chewing can increase blood flow to the brain by 25 to 40 percent, which may help improve the ability to learn, retain, and retrieve information. In teens, chewing sugar-free gum has been linked to better academic performance in school.
Research has found that the simple act of chewing gum can help to control appetite, reduce snack cravings, and reduce calorie intake. One study found that chewing sugar-free gum reduced afternoon snack intake by 40 calories and reduced sweet snack intake by 60 calories. It was also found to significantly reduce afternoon drowsiness. Although a piece of sugar-free gum contains 5 calories, the act of chewing gum can burn about 11 calories per hour.
Piece of gum, anyone?
October 28th, 2009 01:38am
Kelly Epperson
I know there is such a thing as Random Acts of Kindness Day; maybe Oprah made it up. I also know every day is a random act of kindness day. If you look for the good (or bad) in people, you surely will find it. (Abe Lincoln made that one up.) It all comes down to choice. My attitude is always my choice regardless of the circumstances I find myself in. After waiting in line for an hour at the rental car place, a lot of people were cranky. I was not thrilled to be standing there either, but complaining would not make the line move faster. They passed out water bottles and remained cheerful behind the counter. When it was finally my turn, I could have been surly like the guy ahead of me had been. I chose to be pleasant. The rental guy commented my birthday was the same as his and he upgraded me to a Mustang convertible for no charge. Score one for kindness.
Kindness begets kindness and trust begets trust. If you face each day with “the world is out to get me” attitude, it most likely will seem to be a dreary and evil place. If this is the only life I get, why would I want to waste time being so negative. What’s the point? Where is there any benefit in that? I’m not the only one who believes people are trustworthy. I went through the Beefaroo drive-thru yesterday (for soup - I am getting healthy after all)(but wow, passing up those fries truly is a test of will power). When I got to the window, I realized my wallet was not with me. I simply said to cancel my order since I had no money. The gal said, “Take the soup. Can you come back later today and pay for it?”
I was stunned. This is not Mayberry. They do not know me personally at the fast food joint. But I was delighted to have a hot bowl of soup on a rainy day and I did indeed return to pay my $3.31. The cashier who accepted my payment simply smiled when I told her how happily surprised I was. She said, “Everyone that happens to, they always come back and pay.”
If you look for the good in people, you surely will find it.
October 27th, 2009 11:16am
Jan Jann
Exercise support is a key to success. There is no question that making lifestyle changes is difficult and the path to a healthy life isn’t the same for everyone. According to the CDC less than 20% of exercisers typically stay with a plan long enough to reap any health benefits. It’s not that people won’t give it a try, because they do - over and over again. It’s just that the ability to stick with exercise is less likely unless and until it becomes part of a daily routine. This is where a wellness coach comes in. It’s amazing that we’ll commit to an agreed upon meeting time to exercise, but we’re less likely to just do it for yourselves or by ourselves. Wellness coaches, like The Coach Approach program at the local YMCA, work with you one-on-one and personalize a plan based on your needs and your current lifestyle. An assessment gives you a starting point. An agreed-upon program gets you committed. And the follow-up meetings not only offer continued motivation, but are a chance to celebrate your successes. Getting started and sticking with an exercise routine can help reduce fatigue, increase energy levels, improve moods, and ward off diseases. So if you won’t do it alone, consider a wellness coach. Call your local YMCA for details.
Roger Shrum gives a great testimony, “Two years ago I was an overweight couch potato. Now, after having graduated from the YMCA’s Coach Approach program, exercise has become a regular part of my lifestyle. The program eliminated my fear of how to get started and helped me set personal fitness goals with the guidance of a fitness expert. Today I’m 70 pounds lighter and can truly say that I enjoy my workout sessions.”
October 14th, 2009 11:42am
Julie Gulbrandsen
Numerous online cosmetic newsletters bombard my email inbox everyday. Most of the info they’re pushing is repetitive so I just hit delete yet this one really caught my eye. “Don’t wear blue eye shadow!” Hmm…wasn’t this the law of the 90’s? Back then while selling at the cosmetic counter we cosmetic cops were ingrained with teaching women how to do their makeup in a more “natural” way. Brown, beige, boring, blah!
Makeup is supposed to be an expression of ourselves. Humans have adorned themselves from the beginning of time. I, for one happen to like blue eye shadow. There, I said it! In fact, I wear it everyday because it looks good with brown eyes. The trick is you don’t really notice it too much. That’s the whole point. You’re not supposed to see the makeup. This is what natural is all about.
Makeup is supposed to be fun. It can create or change our moods. In fact, according to Cosmeticdesign.com, scientific researchers in Japan recently did a study revealing exactly what goes through a women’s mind when she applies make-up. Using brain scanning equipment, scientists discovered that women experience a wave of euphoria and optimism as they prepare for their make-up routine. The work is important to cosmetic manufacturers because it helps explain the exact reasons why women wear make-up and how it makes them feel better about themselves.
Why women wear makeup? Do we really need science to answer this for us? Maybe because it’s fun and we like the way we look? Every morning I dread having to prepare for my makeup routine but I do experience happiness and relief once its painted on my face. I don’t really care how it makes me feel better. It just does. So I will continue facing the day with my blue eye shadow. Pink eye shadow is banned from my makeup bag unless I want my eyes to look swollen and never in a million years will you catch me wearing orange lipstick unless I want my teeth to look yellow. There ought to be a law but who am I to judge someone else’s art of self expression? What’s really important is that you like the way you look.
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