The Paleo Diet: Back to Basics
Certified CrossFit Trainers, Evan and Lauren Derveloy of Ruston, LA.
My husband, Evan, and I live by the saying, “You can’t out-train a bad diet.” We believe good health requires a foundation of proper nutrition and we have found that foundation with the Paleolithic Diet. Because the name ‘Paleo Diet’ is new to many people, some consider it a “fad diet.” However, eating unprocessed foods as close as possible to their natural state is not a fad. It’s a concept that’s been around since the first humans walked the earth!
So what does it mean to eat Paleo? Paleo consists of meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, some fruit, limited starch, no sugar, no grains, and no alcohol. The first thing most people ask after hearing the do’s and don’ts is “How will I get the carbohydrates my body needs for energy?” And the answer is this: all vegetables and fruits are made of carbohydrates. The concept of the Paleo Diet is quality over quantity with the main goal of maximizing efficient macronutrient intake.
My husband was first introduced to the concept of eating Paleo at a CrossFit Trainer certification course in 2008. At that time we were following the standard American diet: high in processed foods, low in complex carbohydrates, low in plant-based foods, and high in simple carbohydrate sources. We were having difficulty reaching our weight loss goals and certain health conditions began to surface: high blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation. It seemed no matter how many calories we cut or how many additional hours of cardio we did, our weight loss goals were still unobtainable. Since we began eating Paleo exclusively in 2010, we have seen wonderful results in our overall health and positive body composition changes.
So how can you incorporate the Paleo Diet into your daily life? Surprisingly, it’s easier than you think. The following steps will make your chances for success greater.
- Don’t treat it like a transitory diet that you will quit after a few days or weeks. The success of this diet is changing your lifestyle. Think of food as a fuel that makes you better instead of treating it as a reward.
- Next, clean out your kitchen and pantry of all junk food and buy whole foods.
- Last, commit to this change for a lifetime of good health. You will be thrilled with the wonderful results!
There are lots of resources and recipes online. Here are two good websites to help you get started:
Related articles
- Paleo Diet: Blueberry Spinach Smoothie (mainebelle.com)
Sharon Jackson Says: “The Key to Weight Loss Success is Mindset!”
Sharon Jackson
I have been in the fitness business for 12 years. And the more I work with women, the more I find that a woman’s opinion of herself is the most common reason some succeed in their goals and others don’t.
Losing weight, eating healthy and exercising consistently are not always easy. My experience has been that the women who have decided in their minds to lose weight are the most successful.
Your mind and spirit must be in agreement. This means the internal power that is inside drives you to do and be more than you thought possible! You must continually see yourself exactly how you want to feel and look.
Image created by Kirstin Pals
Remember you determine your success! Don’t be distracted by the obstacles that will definitely come your way. Obstacles are a part of life! Instead, keep your mind flowing with positive thoughts, and you can’t lose! Teach yourself to think like a champion!
About Sharon Jackson, PTS
Sharon Jackson is a Certified Medical Exercise Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer. In June 2008, Sharon Jackson founded Sharon’s Slammin’ Bootcamp. Her credentials include:
• Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Wellness
• Master of Science in Exercise Science Exercise
• Exercise Physiologist in Physical Therapy for 15 years
• Certified Personal Trainer by ‘National Strength and Conditioning Association’ for 10 years
• Group Exercise Instructor
• Certified Medical Exercise Specialist
• Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist (American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals)
• Pilates Mat Certification
Top 10 Health Experts to Follow on Pinterest
Lauren Derveloy, Certified CrossFit Trainer and Seasons Customer Relations Specialist
Lately you are more likely to hear someone ask, “Are you on Pinterest?” than “Are you on Facebook?” or “Do you do Tweet?” But if you are new to the world of Pinterest, it is best described as a virtual pinboarding site that combines imagery bookmarking with the fun of social media. Users (or “pinners”) post images and links onto virtual pinboards and share visual ideas with other pinners. Share the things you love – whether that be health tips, things you want to make, or anything in between.
I love the idea of making “vision boards” with pictures of things that inspire you to live a healthier life. My pinboards include my favorite Paleo and low-fat recipes, fitness routines, inspiring images and quotes, and general wellness tips. While pinning, I have come across pinners whose pinboards provide a gold mine of healthy inspirations. I have compiled a list of these pinners to create my Top 10 Health Experts to Follow on Pinterest. Happy Pinning!
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SeasonsWC:
I love to follow Seasons because not only do they have great tips, recipes and links to informative posts, they also share skincare tips from their Aesthetician and news on the best beauty products.
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Dr. Oz:
His boards include fitness tips and recipes. My favorite pinboard is ‘Oz Approved Desserts’. Yum!
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FitSugar:
With 27 boards and counting, you are sure to find something you are interested in! They have a whole board dedicated to gluten-free recipes!
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Whole Foods Market:
Whole Foods’ pinboards include a range of interests related to the organic lifestyle including gardening, recycling and, of course, recipes.
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Health Magazine:
Their board dedicated to all things smoothie will undoubtedly compel you to blend a green smoothie for breakfast!
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Eating Well Magazine:
41 boards of RECIPES! Need I say more?
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Shape Magazine:
If you are looking for great abdominal workouts – Shape has you covered, follow their boards for inspiration and new things to try.
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YouBeauty:
Like Seasons, You Beauty believes beauty reflects your inner health. Some of my favorite pinboards from their Pinterest page include ‘Yoga’, ‘Makeup Articles’, ‘Favorite Fitness Articles’, and ‘DIY Beauty Treatments’.
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Yoga Journal:
Pull out your yoga mat! They have pinned everything you need to know about yoga including tips and videos to inspire you to de-stress and exercise more often.
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Whole Living Magazine:
The health, happiness, wellness, food, and green living magazine has a wide array of boards including ‘Crazy for Quinoa’ and ‘Healthy Chicken Recipes’.
At Seasons, we are dedicated to providing individualized treatment and improving your quality of life by providing the best complementary and integrative medical treatment available. Our hope? To transform lives, one patient at a time. Follow our pinboards for great information on health and wellness! Not on Pinterest? Follow this link to request a Pinterest invite.
This guest post was written by Seasons team member Lauren Derveloy, a Certified CrossFit Trainer and coach/choreographer for the LA Tech University’s Regal Blues. Lauren loves using Pinterest as a resource for inspiration and information in her pursuit of healthy living!
Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge 2012
Need inspiration? Information? Accountability? Join some of North Louisiana’s top physicians, nutritionists and personal trainers for the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge. Each FREE session offers you the opportunity to accomplish your nutrition and fitness goals for the new year. The reward? A healthier you, goodies, door prizes, and much more! This year we have added a 30 minutes workout to the end of each session. So bring your water bottles and let’s get going!
Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #1
The first session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge will be held on Tuesday, January 10th from 5:30pm – 6:30 pm at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. We will be conducting optional weigh-ins and measurements at the end of each session so please come prepared to exercise and dress comfortably.
Our first session will include:
- Meal plans
- Strength workouts
- Recipes
- Time Management | Making time for yourself
- Prepping for our 5k run with Maryanne Smith
- Optional weigh-in and measurements (5 – 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7 p.m.)
To register, you must first join our Healthy Woman program and then click the link to RSVP. Please note: you must RSVP for each session after you have joined.
Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #2
Join us for the second session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge on Tuesday January 24, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. Don’t forget we will be exercising and doing weigh-ins at the end of this session. So, come prepared to workout and dress comfortably. You can still attend this event even if you are not participating in the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge.
The focus for this session will be:
- “Knees, Knees, Knees!” | Orthopaedic Surgeon, Major Blair, M.D., will discuss ways to avoid injury while exercising.
- “Getting down to the basics: Nutrition” | Registered Dietician, Jessica Hood, RD, LDN, will give nutrition advice and tips on staying on track with your diet.
You must be a member of the Healthy Woman program to participate in this event. If you have not joined already, click here. Membership is free, and the benefits last a lifetime. You must RSVP for each session of the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge that you would like to attend.
Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #3
Our 3rd session of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge will take place on Tuesday February 7, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room. Don’t forget, we will be working out and breaking a sweat for the last 30 minutes of the session. We will also be doing weigh-ins and measurements. So, dress comfortable!
The focus for this session will be:
- “Hello, dont forget about your heart!” | Interventional Cardiologist, Michael Langiulli, M.D.
- Heart Health Recipe Fun
To join Healthy Woman or RSVP to this event, click here. Membership is free, and the benefits last a lifetime.
Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge Session #4
Session #4 will be our final session of the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge. This session will take place on Tuesday February 21, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 at the Lincoln Parish Library Community Room.
Our focus for this session will be:
- Staying on track… You CAN do it!
- Accountability = Stability
To RSVP for this session or to Join Healthy Woman, click here.
For more information about the sponsors of the 2012 Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge, please visit their websites.
- Northern Louisiana Medical Center
- Body Back by Maryanne Smith or on Facebook
- Seasons Wellness Clinic and Seasons – The Spa or on Facebook and Twitter
- Sharon Jackson’s Personal Training Services or on Facebook
Click here to see out photos from a previous Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge 5K!
New Yoga Classes at Seasons The Spa
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New! Extended Hours at Seasons – The Spa
Bethany Cox, LMT and client during a Hot Stone Massage at Seasons - The Spa.
A visit to the spa is a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Seasons The Spa now has extended hours of service beginning July 1st, 2011. We will now be open Tuesday through Saturday for retail and spa services. Visit Seasons The Spa to experience the ultimate in relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal of the mind, body, and spirit. Contact the Spa Concierge for your appointment: 318.255.1155.
- Tuesday – 9 am – 7 pm
- Wednesday – 9 am – 6 pm
- Thursday – 9 am – 7 pm
- Friday – 9 am – 6 pm
- Saturday – 9 am – 3 pm
For a list of our services, please visit our spa services page.
BIA Explained: Measuring Muscle Mass and More
Image by Christi Nielsen via Flickr
The following guest post was written by Dr. Joseph A. Debé, a graduate of Southern California University of Health Sciences. He is a Chiropractor with Board Certification in Nutrition, a licensed Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist, as well as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner. You can read more of Dr. Debé’s posts at www.drdebe.com.
Most individuals embarking upon a weight-loss program set a goal to lose a certain number of pounds. They often become obsessed with checking their progress on the bathroom scale. Although a change in body weight is of importance, it is really very incomplete data. The issue is that the scale does not tell you what type of body tissue you are losing or gaining. It is very common for people to think they are achieving a desirable result in losing weight when in fact they are losing lean, healthy tissue and not fat. It is also very possible to see no change on the bathroom scale as your body is simultaneously building lean, healthy tissue and burning fat.
The numbers people should be concerned with are those concerning their body composition rather than body weight. There are a number of methods available to measure body composition including dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), radioisotope dilution, and computerized tomography scanning. These methods are not readily available, however. The more commonly used techniques include hydrostatic (underwater) weighing, skinfold testing, near-infrared interactance, bioelectrical impedance, girth or circumference measurements, and body mass index (weight divided by height squared). Of these methods, under-water weighing was long considered the gold standard. In the last couple of years, a company called RJL Systems has developed advanced computer software, based on DEXA, for use with their bioelectrical impedance analyzer. This system is more accurate and reproducible than underwater weighing. What’s more, it gives additional extremely valuable information not available with the other techniques.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis works in the following way. The subject lies down on a flat surface and has electrodes attached to the wrist and ankle of their dominant side. A device is attached to the electrodes, which sends a very weak electrical current through the body (nothing is felt). The device measures the voltage drop of this current and yields two measurements: resistance and reactance. The values for resistance and reactance are entered into a computer program along with the subject’s height and weight. Mathematical analysis of these data yields the body composition measurements.
Electrical resistance is a measure of ability to conduct an electrical current. A good conductor has low resistance. The extracellular water (ECW) or fluid found outside the body cells, in combination with electrolytes, is the main conductor of the body. Fat, which has a low water content, has a high resistance. The resistance value is used to give a measure of the extracellular volume of the body.
Electrical reactance is an indication of capacitance – the ability of the body cells to store an electrical charge. Reactance is directly proportional to intracellular volume.
All other commonly available methods of measuring body composition divide tissue into two compartments: fat and fat-free mass (FFM). This is valuable information. However, the RJL Fluid and Nutrition Analysis takes things one step further. Not only does it measure fat and fat-free mass, but it further sub-divides fat-free mass into the compartments of body cell mass (BCM) and extracellular tissue (ECT). Measures of total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), and phase angle are also made. Also, an estimate of basal metabolic rate is given. Now, let’s see what all this means and how it is of value to people trying to lose weight, bodybuilders, endurance athletes, individuals on detoxification or anti-aging programs, and the acutely and chronically ill.
Body cell mass (BCM) is one of the most important values obtained with this testing. BCM is the measure (given in pounds and as a percentage of body weight) of all the living metabolically active tissue in the body – muscle, organ, and blood cells. Contained within BCM are all the body’s intracellular water (ICW), and proteins and other solids. With serial testing, a change in body cell mass is due primarily to a change in muscle mass. Changes in BCM can be picked up within 72 hours. Increases in BCM equate with anabolism – the process of converting food into living tissue. Decreases in BCM are involved in catabolic (breaking down) processes. BCM is the tissue that is consumed (with negative consequences) in illness, disease, aging, under-nutrition, and athletic overtraining. Decreasing BCM from any cause leads to weakened immunity, failure to thrive, and eventually death.
In the early stages of catabolism, there is no change in fat-free mass (FFM) as healthy cells break down and BCM becomes extracellular tissue (ECT). The other methods of body composition analysis that measure only FFM are insensitive to these changes. The RJL system, by dividing FFM into BCM and ECT, can detect catabolism in the earliest stages and allow for early intervention and a more successful outcome. Decreases in BCM have been measured in asymptomatic HIV patients when other methods of analysis yielded normal values. Maintaining BCM can prolong survival in AIDS patients.
Another important application of BCM measurement is in weight loss programs. It is critical to track BCM during weight loss so that lifestyle changes can be made, if necessary, before damage is done. With improper weight loss programs, BCM decreases and the body’s set point (resting energy requirements) is reduced. The body will then store fat more easily. BCM measurements are also invaluable to the bodybuilder. Increasing BCM means muscle is being built, decreasing BCM means muscle is being broken down, regardless of what the bathroom scale implies. A normal value for BCM may range from 30% to 55% of body weight.
Intracellular water (ICW) is the potassium based fluid volume located in the BCM. Extracellular water (ECW) is the sodium based fluid volume located in the extracellular tissue (ECT). ECT is also made up of proteins and other solids and includes such tissues as the tendons, skin, bones, and other connective tissues. ECW is located between the cells, within blood vessels, and other spaces such as the intestines. ECW and ICW are measured in liters and expressed as percentages of total body water. Normal values for ICW range from 41% to 70%. Normal values for ECW range from 29% to 61%.
Changes in ICW mirror changes in BCM, and changes in ECW reflect changes in ECT. The balance between ICW and ECW indicate whether the body is in an anabolic or catabolic state. Sarcopenia, the loss of lean body mass that occurs with aging, can be seen in decreasing ICW and increasing ECW values.
Hydration is critical to the metabolic performance of the muscle cell. According to Haussinger, et al, from the May 22, 1993 issue of The Lancet, “An increase in cellular hydration (swelling) acts as an anabolic proliferative signal, whereas cell shrinkage is catabolic and anti-proliferative. Cellular hydration state is mainly determined by the activity of ion and substrate transport systems in the plasma membrane.” Hormones, anabolic steroids, cytokines, free radicals, chemotherapeutic and other drugs, amino acids and creatine monohydrate are among the compounds that influence ICW.
TBW, ECW, and ICW can reveal dehydration, water retention, and effectiveness of treatment in correcting these conditions. Fluid changes usually occur first in the ECW. For example, in dehydration the ICW only begins to decrease after there has been significant depletion of ECW. Importantly, the RJL system can be used to measure hydration status in endurance athletes, as a small loss of body water can adversely affect performance.
Another valuable bit of data produced by this system is the phase angle, which is a mathematical relationship between resistance and reactance. The phase angle is an indication of the health of the body cell membranes. With ill health the cell membrane fails, allowing leakage of the cell’s contents. With a decrease in the number of the body’s cells the reactance and phase angle both decrease. The higher the phase angle the greater the state of health and fitness. As health improves, so does the phase angle. The normal range for the phase angle is 4° to 12°. A study of patients with congestive heart failure found altered reactance, suggesting a change in cell membrane permeability. These values improved with treatment. Other studies have found the phase angle to very accurately predict disease progression in AIDS patients. The lower the phase angle the worse the prognosis.
The RJL Fluid and Nutrition Analysis system is used in hospital settings to monitor patients with a wide variety of conditions. Its breadth of information, accuracy, and repeatability allow for early intervention and improved outcome with patients suffering: burns, cancer, edema-dependent hypertension, AIDS, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, kidney disease, blood infection, and post-surgery.
In addition to giving important information on anabolic/catabolic states and the nature of tissue and fluid change to dieters, bodybuilders, and endurance athletes, the RJL system is extremely valuable to individuals engaged in metabolic detoxification programs. My own personal experience is a good example. I was tested with the RJL system immediately before starting and one week into a detoxification program. In that one week, I lost six pounds of body weight. Importantly, my BCM did not change; indicating that I was not in a catabolic state which can be a concern on this type of program. Three and a half pounds of my weight loss were in the form of fat. I lost a liter of body fluid, with all of it coming from the ECW compartment, none from ICW. This was probably due to the fact that the first place the body stores toxins is where they will do the least harm – in the ECW. As my body excreted toxins, there was less of a demand to retain ECW to dilute them. The week of detoxification also resulted in an increase in my phase angle, indicating improved health.
Testing with the RJL system is fast, safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive. I recommend for people to be tested at intervals of about 4 to 6 weeks for general purposes. In cases of illness or intense dietary and activity changes, testing can be performed once per week or more often.
Dr. Joseph A. Debé
Confession #17: Making Peace and Making a Plan
Elizabeth Haynes Drewett
Aging is a fact of life. From the time we are born, we’re aging. In our younger years, aging is manifested as growth. But it’s official. I have arrived at the point in life where growth has ended. Well, at least the kind of growth that is good. Now we’re in the area of bad growth…growth of the gluteus maximus. But that’s a story for another day. Let’s just say…I’m at the turning point…the crossroads…it’s time to make peace and make a plan.
Isn’t this what middle age is all about? It’s saying good-bye to your youth. It’s an acceptance of where you are. If you don’t make peace with life at this stage of the game, you are headed for a MID-LIFE crisis. You’ve seen it before. It’s usually an impractical two-seater sports car. Or maybe an infidelity that wrecks your life forever. No thanks. I’m all about making peace and making a plan.
Grow old gracefully. My mantra has always been to grow old gracefully. And I still subscribe to that. There’s nothing more beautiful than a mature woman who has grayed naturally and looks comfortable in her own skin. Cindy McCain, wife of Arizona Senator John McCain is a great example of that. She’s just lovely. I’m pretty sure she’s made peace and made a plan.
My goals for growing old gracefully are these:
- To have the energy to do what I want when I want.
- To live my life to the fullest without a lifetime of poor health and disease.
- To look younger than I am, but not so young I look foolish.
Make peace with the present. I’m a practical girl by nature. I’ve learned to push up my sleeves and solve the problem. And making peace with the present is best done with action. Guess what? There’s no way you’re going to avoid aging. And guess what else? There are advantages to being older.
- Wisdom. You’ve heard the expression, “If I knew then what I know now.” The wisdom I’ve gained in my life is a precious commodity. And honestly, I wouldn’t go back to my youth because I had too much to learn. I like knowing a lot about life and sharing that with my kids. They love my stories. And I love telling them. If you’re not sharing what you’ve learned with someone, it’s just knowledge. Knowledge becomes wisdom when you share to help others live a better life and learn from your life lessons.
- Warmth of heart. I remember one thing about my great-grandmother in particular. My Mee-Maw, Lula Leonard Haynes, was always good for a hug. She poured unconditional love straight from her heart into mine. Her hugs were so memorable that I still vividly recall them after 3 decades. Having a warm heart, not a cold one hardened by the trials of this world, is what I want people to see in me. It’s what I want to give to my children…and one day…my grandchildren.
- Priorities. The great thing about having years of life behind you is you gain a clear vision of what isn’t important, which helps you determine what IS important. The peculiar thing about a high school reunions is this: at the 10-year reunion everyone returns to impress with worldly accomplishments; at the 20-year reunion everyone returns happy to see each other and visit like the old friends that they are. My dad, organizer of an annual high school reunion at Shongaloo High School, told me the later reunions were so much sweeter than the earlier ones. I think people lose sight of the materialistic goals they might have embraced at a younger age, thank goodness. Over time, we learn the real value of relationships…and we learn the lack of value in possessions.
There’s no doubt that growing older has substantial benefits. I can think of several things that I am happy to give up. Changing diapers is one. Cleaning up my then-4-year-old’s vomit because the concept of throwing up IN the trash can was not yet mastered. I’m happy to move past that one. Dating…my husband and I regularly look at each other and express thanks that we don’t have to be in the dating world anymore.
Leaving the past where it belongs is an important part of making peace with the present. My desire is to embrace the life I have now and enjoy the positives at this stage, not looking back longingly at a past that will not return.
Make a wellness plan for the future. Prevention is one of my favorite words. Why in the world would you sit back and allow something bad to happen if prevention is possible. When it comes to healthcare, this is where our priorities should lie. Instead, our entire healthcare system is based on a DISEASE model. We go to the doctor when we’re sick. We get a quick fix. We go home and run ourselves into the ground until the next round of getting sick and then head back. It’s an agonizing treadmill we’re on that leads to a poor quality of life.
What if we spent our time pursuing wellness instead of just stopping the sickness? How would we go about doing that? Are we relegated to the genetics that we are born with?
While genetics plays a role in our health, it’s probably only 20% of the deciding factor according to Dr. Nathan Goodyear, a board certified and fellowship trained Metabolic Specialist. Our environment contributes the other 80% of influence in determining our health status.
We can’t change the genetics, but we can improve our body’s environment. How? There’s five areas that need to be part of our wellness plan: nutrition, exercise, hormone balance, reducing inflammation and detoxification.
Here’s a quick rundown.
- Nutrition. You are what you eat. But are you really eating healthy? Eat foods rich in nutrients. Choose organic and eliminate your exposure to toxins. If you read the label and can’t pronounce the ingredients, don’t eat it. Yes…that includes giving up soda. Have you read that label?
- Exercise. There’s no way around it. You will feel better every time you invest your time in exercise. You don’t have to run a marathon. You can just run a couple of miles. Or maybe just walk around the block a few times. As Nike so eloquently says: “Just do it.”
- Hormone Balance. Hormones are the communication system of the body. And when hormones become imbalanced due to stress, poor nutrition, or even genetics, they need to be rebalanced. Keeping a healthy hormone balance requires proper testing and follow-up. Bioidentical hormones can help rebalance a body that has been tilted out of balance by the world.
- Inflammation. Cited as the source of all disease in much of the latest research, reducing internal inflammation is key. But how? Avoiding foods that cause silent inflammation and increasing the ones that decrease inflammation is a great beginning. A diet rich in Omega-3s is key. Supplementing with fish oil, nuts and seeds, and wild fish will boost your Omega-3 intake and reduce chronic inflammation.
- Detoxification. There’s no denying it, we live in a toxic world. Getting the toxins out of the body and reducing your exposure to toxins is an important lifestyle choice that will pay dividends in your longterm health. Using natural cleaners and avoiding chemicals is a great start. Detoxify your body with exercise (sweating is good for you) and infrared sauna, too. Again, buy organic and reduce your exposure to more toxins.
We plan for our retirement. We plan our vacations. But when was the last time you sat down to plan your wellness routine? You can’t enjoy the retirement or the vacation if you feel bad or suffer from chronic disease.
Here’s what I want. I want a healthy living plan that actively returns my body to optimal wellness. I want to feel good from the inside out. And by feeling good on the inside, the outside will look better, too. I’m doing my retirement planning…it’s just not financial planning, it’s wellness planning! I’ve got to be healthy to enjoy my future grandbabies.
Elizabeth Haynes Drewett: a hormonal woman rumored to be somewhere between the age of 30 and 50. Her job: Operations Manager and Marketing Director for Seasons in Ruston. Her training: bachelor of arts in journalism degree from LSU and a bachelor of fine arts degree in piano performance from LA Tech University. Her life: wife of C.P. Drewett, Jr. and doting mother to Langdon, age 12, and Reagan, age 6. Her passions: the state of Louisiana – as Miss Louisiana 1992 she devoted her year of service to breast cancer education and the importance of early detection; lover of music – invested 10 years as a piano teacher into the lives of the most wonderful kids in the world; lover of a good game – job experiences include PING Golf Equipment and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Her favorite things: an underdog who overachieves, a good laugh, a good book, a good word, and a good hair day. You can follow her on Twitter. Her column, Confessions of a Hormonal Woman, is published bi-monthly in The Minute Magazine.
Seasons Team Members Rockin’ and Rollin’
Trevor Torres crossing the finish line at "Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras" Half Marathon (New Orleans, La.)
Running is addicting, or so we’ve heard. Two members of the Seasons team have become addicts. On Sunday, February 13th, Trevor Torres and Bethany Cox both completed their second half-marathon, the “Rock ‘n Roll Mardi Gras” in New Orleans, LA. Along with 17,000 others, these two athletes completed the 13.1 mile run benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Training for a half-marathon can be strenuous. It takes weeks, even months, to train for the 13.1 mile trek. “I made sure I gave myself a couple days rest within the week, which helped my muscles recuperate after the long run days. Two weeks before the race was my longest run.” Most runners, like Bethany, follow a training schedule to prepare and build up their endurance for the big day. “The race itself was such an adrenaline rush…and the weather was perfect!”
The “Rock n’ Roll” marathon series is known for having great local music and entertainment along the race routes. “This was my second half marathon in the Rock ‘n Roll series and I really enjoy the live bands along the entire course that make it entertaining!” said Trevor. “It gives you something to look forward to every mile and a headliner band at the finish line!”
"I love Rock 'n Rolls!" Bethany Cox, LMT (New Orleans, La.)
The New Orleans course started near the convention center downtown, then went through uptown, the garden district, French Quarter, and ended in City Park. “It was a great scenic route, and we could not have asked for better weather. It was in the 40’s that morning, and by the time I finished, it was in the low 50’s. I’m looking forward to my next half marathon in March, the Rock ‘n Roll — Dallas!”
At Seasons, our approach to wellness is centered around five main areas, one of which is exercise. It is important to include exercise in your healthy living plan. We are so proud of these two team members and hope this encourages you in your journey to wellness.
FIT4BABY Pregnancy Fitness Classes Offered at Seasons
Pregnancy is a time of beauty and wonder. It can also be a time of discomfort and trial. Keeping your body strong and fit can make pregnancy more enjoyable and can speed your labor, delivery, and recovery. Exercise is an important component to your pregnancy, as well as your strength as a new mom. Keeping fit will help you avoid conditions like constipation, gestational diabetes, back pain, cramps, morning sickness, excessive weight gain, and swelling.
Pregnancy is the perfect time to commit to you and your baby’s health! Stroller Strides and Seasons have teamed up to offer Fit4Baby. Fit4Baby is a prenatal fitness program created to safely and effectively teach women in any stage of their pregnancy to exercise. Instructor and Ruston mom, Maryanne Smith, is nationally certified in pre and post-natal fitness. Classes include warm-up, strength training, cardio, stretching, and balance exercises.
Fit4Baby package ($179) includes:
- A relaxing, 60 minute pre-natal massage
- Sprayology B-12 + Folic Acid spray
- 6 Fit4Baby sessions
Fit4Baby Plus package ($239) includes:
- A relaxing, 60 minute pre-natal massage
- Sprayology B-12 + Folic Acid spray
- Creme Specifique Vergetures Stretch Mark Cream by Guinot
- 6 Fit4Baby sessions
Fit4Baby classes will be held in the Resource Room of Seasons – The Spa in Ruston. Classes will be held each Monday starting October 18th from 6pm-7:15pm. Space is limited, please reserve your spot today! To register for Fit4Baby, please contact Seasons – The Spa at 318.255.1155.
