NFit Woman Magazine Nov/Dec 2013

A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO FITNESS

HOW TO LOSE A FRIEND IN 10 SECONDS {{

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

NFitWomanHOW THE FAMOUS STAY FIT

10LOCAL CELEBRITIES WEIGH IN

REAL ESTATE BROKER

BROOKE ROGERS

ON HER LIFE-CHANGING

JOURNEY OF SUCCESS AND

SELF-DISCOVERY

Turning Heads

STAY THE COURSEKEEPING FIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Downtown (210) 224-1771

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Northeast (210) 653-2693

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12 A BETTER YOU - Taking the stage - What it takes to be a winner

22 EXPERT TALK - Ask the experts

28 MIND, BODY & SOUL - How to lose a friend in 10 seconds - Eating healthy never looked so good - Choosing trust - Getting mixed signals?

36 OUTDOOR FITNESS - Putting the FUN in fitness - Changing the landscape

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41 SUCCESS STORY - Breaking the chain

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TurningHeadsHAVING TURNED HER LIFEAROUND BY EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY,BROOKE ROGERSREMAINS CHARISMATIC, DRIVEN AND DEDICATED TO HELPING OTHERS SUCCEED.

16

CONTENTS

Cover and table of contents photography by:JOSH HUSKIN


StaffEDITORIAL DIRECTOR

KELLY HAMILTON

EXECUTIVE EDITORERIN O’BRIEN

DESIGN MANAGERCRISTINA VILLA HAZAR

STAFF WRITERPAIGE CRAWFORD

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSNERISSA FIGUEROA ATKISSON

MICHAEL BALDWINMIKI BOWERS

DR. DONALD DILWORTHBRE’ANNA EMMITT

SAHAR FAILIKELLY HAMILTONRITA HERNANDEZDR. AMI KADAKIALENORE KAISER

DR. PATRICIA MACKINCHADWICK I. MILLERSUZANNE M. PARKERBETHANY REYNOLDS

LUIS SANTIAGOJANIE TERRAZAS-SANTIAGO

PHOTOGRAPHYJOSH HUSKIN

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PAIGE CRAWFORDStaff Writer


ADVISORY BOARD

APRILANCIRAApril Ancira is a San Antonio native. While pursuing her career with Ancira Automotive Group, she earned an MBA from UTSA in 2003. She enjoys involvement in various community activities such as Habitat for Humanity and frequently competes in triathlons and marathons when not spending time with her husband, Jason Thompson, and pleasantly exhausting toddler, Gunnar.

BRE’ANNAEMMITTBre’anna Emmitt is a Christian, a wife, a mother to three and a freelance writer. She aspires to one day master the fitness classes she regularly subjects herself to. You can usually find her each weekend ministering alongside her husband, Chris, at Community Bible Church.

JANABOUNDSAs a consultant for one of the nation’s largest dermatology practices, Dermatology Associates of San Antonio, Jana Bounds has exposure to new and exciting developments in the rapidly changing world of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and products, as well as medical skin concerns such as advancements in the detection and treatment of skin cancers. Bounds believes your skin is an outside indicator of your internal health.

MARIEFERDINAND-HARRISNewly retired from an 11-year WNBA career, three-time WNBA All-Star Marie Ferdinand-Harris jump-started the Marie Ferdinand Foundation, which was created as a testimony to her personal story of how she used sports as a vehicle to earn a scholarship to play for Louisiana State University. Marie Ferdinand Foundation’s mission is to “teach kids to win in life, not just in sports.” Ferdinand-Harris now lives in San Antonio and is passionate about instilling life skills and basketball fundamentals.

JENNIFER BROOMEJennifer Broome is host and producer of “Swept Away with Jennifer Broome” and a morning meteorologist for KDVR Fox 31 Denver. She is also a writer, spokesperson, blogger and fitness fanatic.

LENOREKAISERLenore Kaiser, owner of Kaiser Medical Management (KMM), blog editor for the San Antonio Express-News, and fitness competitor/model practices what she preaches and preaches what she practices. With 21 years in fitness and corporate wellness, she founded KMM, a corporate wellness provider. Kaiser has won several awards over the years for her dedication in bringing health awareness to our community.

SEANBURTONSean Burton’s life is health and fitness. From an obese child to a fitness expert, Sean has seen his share of what it’s like on the other side of that fence, and he knows he possesses the knowledge and experience to help anyone get fit. Certified with the NSCA and NESTA, he has extensive training experience. Burton knows what it takes to make your goal your new lifestyle. SeanBFit in San Antonio, can make all the difference.

DR. MARTADAHIYAMarta Dahiya, M.D., is a board certified radiation oncologist at Oncology San Antonio who specializes in cervical, uterine and breast cancers. She is active in the pursuit of finding strategies for the prevention and risk reduction of cancer, and frequently exercises because she finds that it keeps her mind and body connected and balanced. She enjoys educating patients and the community in preventive medicine through healthy lifestyle habits.

JULIEMINNICKJulie Minnick is a health care executive with over 20 years of diversified experience in health care administration. She currently works for Baptist Health System and is responsible for overall marketing, PR and business development initiatives for physician services within BHS. Minnick has a passion for the health and wellness of all individuals and a deep desire to motivate people to be happy and healthy.

EDNADE SAROEdna De Saro is first vice president and marketing director of Lone Star National Bank. As marketing director of one of the fastest growing banks in Texas, De Saro is involved in the development and implementation of all strategic marketing objectives that include corporate branding, public relations and market positioning.

CLAIREORTIZClaire Ortiz is an apparel and brand-leadership professional with more than 25 years of experience in design, development, operations, sales and strategic management. Ortiz has spent the last decade in senior business and creative development roles, leading overall brand- building and global strategic planning initiatives. A veteran executive who has thrived as well in startup environments as in large global organizations, Ortiz is known and respected as a dynamic leader in the ready-to-wear apparel industry.

CHARLIEMARINOCharlie Marino has been in the fitness industry since 1987. His specialization is in body sculpting, toning and overall wellness. Over the decades, he has seen many health trends come and go, and through them all, he has remained focused on what really works. Being healthy is not something you try for a few months; it is ultimately a daily choice. Marino offers clients his expertise in the privacy of their home or at an exclusive training studio. He is the owner of ProFit Fitness: Fitness that Fits your Lifestyle.


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A BETTER YOU

SWEAT, time management, developing, funding and sup-port – sounds like the construction of a building. Actually, it is the construction of something even more important: the building of a human physique. Everyone pushes to strive for their goals to improve their wellness and health. We all find ways to build our muscles and burn fat while trying to juggle our schedules.

Then there are some who take it a step further and make the choice to compete in a fitness, physique or bodybuild-ing competition. The choice to compete is a tough one and sometimes a surprise for some of those who decide to do it. In any case, it’s a difficult, but rewarding journey that gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride. It truly is all about the journey.

Many people may not realize everything that goes into preparing for a competition. The decision usually comes after someone decided to take that extra step toward their fit-ness goals, or to take on a challenge in their life that encour-ages them to take charge of their bodies and lives.

There are so many misconceptions about who participates in these competitions. Some may believe competitors are big-ego, muscled-up, hard-body individuals who focus too much on appearance. This is simply not true. I have been competing since 2008, and I have competed in regional and national competitions. I have competed in both the fitness and bikini categories. I have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. The competitors I have met all have a story behind them.

I have met moms of two children, three children, four chil-dren and yes, even five children. I have met doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and many others in different careers. I have met competitors who have suffered losses of loved ones and financial losses. In my last competition, the 2013 WBFF World Championship in Las Vegas, there was a woman who had lost a great amount of weight to get there, there were competitors who did all they could to raise funds to compete and more inspiring, there was a cancer survivor. The people I’ve met and the friends I have made in the world of compet-ing have without a doubt motivated me in so many ways.

The decision to compete should not be taken lightly. I know firsthand the time you need to make to accomplish the goal. First of all, it can be very expensive. There are registra-tion fees for the organizations and federations, and costs of swimsuits and trunks (and this includes males), gowns, cos-tumes, jewelry and shoes. Then throw in the cost of tanning, which needs to be done by a company that tans specifically for competing. There are also the costs of training, food,

Taking the StageTHE JOURNEY OF PREPPING FOR AND PARTICIPATING IN FITNESS, PHYSIQUE AND BODYBUILDING COMPETITIONS BY NERISSA FIGUEROA ATKISSON


possible nutrition guidance and hairstyling. And if you are travel-ing to another city, travel and hotel costs need to be thrown in.

There are many costs and many sacrifices. Some may not realize that even the winners at most events do not get prizes or money. Competitors who win cash or prizes do so by winning at the large-scale pro-level shows.

However, there are ways to save on competing by network-ing with other competitors and borrowing or renting some of the items you need. There are also websites where competitors post adds to rent or resell some of their competition items. It is also pos-sible to try to find sponsors. Ask anyone you know who supports your dream and may be willing to contribute funding – every little bit helps!

Of course, I also have to men-tion the discipline it takes to make the decision to take the stage in a

fitness or physique competition. Time management is vital in the competition world. Work sched-ules and more importantly, family

are major priorities in our lives. Competitors have to find time for their workouts, food prep, posing practice and recovery. All of this is time consuming, and no one has ever said it was easy.

Along with time management, there is also discipline involved. There are times when the last thing I want to do is prep my food on the weekend, times when I want to skip my workout and times I want to sleep in and skip my cardio – but in those times, I remind myself of the reward. As

difficult as competing sounds, it is actually one of the most rewarding experiences ever.

There is the adrenaline that goes

through you as you step foot on the stage and your body, posture, walk and smile are saying, “This is it! I did it, and I want to show everyone how hard I worked!” There is the feeling you get when you complete your workout and you walk away knowing the good you did for your body. There is the feeling of helping others when they ask you for help or maybe just to give them some motiva-tion. Whatever the reason or story behind the decision to compete, it becomes a feeling of accomplish-

ment that says, “I can do this. I will do this.”

The competitions themselves can be tiring, but the minute I put on my suit, my jewelry and my shoes, I tell myself, “This is what all my hard work was for.” No, it is neither easy nor cheap to compete. However, the journey to the stage will bring friendships, pride, accomplishment and faith in oneself, making all of the hard work worth it. ✽

Nerissa Figueroa Atkisson is an ACE-certified personal trainer, an AFAA Group-Ex instructor, a health and fitness specialist in corporate wellness and a competi-tion coach. She is also a WBFF Pro Fitness model. To contact her regarding questions or training, visit www.n-fitness.com or email [email protected].

TIME MANAGEMENTIS VITAL IN THE

COMPETITION WORLD.

A BETTER YOU

WINNERHEALTHY SIDE OF LIFE HERO AND ULTIMATE ROLE MODEL SONYA ROEMISCH ACTS ON HER PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS REACH THEIR HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS.

BY RITA HERNANDEZ

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A


THIS STORY of inspiration began back in 2000. Even though she was uncertain about becoming a personal trainer, Sonya Roemisch took the leap of faith and started working at Racquetball and Fitness to fulfill her passion for helping others. Knowing she had never trained others before, she wasn’t sure what to expect, but within the first year of training, she saw great results in her clients.

Several of her clients had lost 80 pounds, and that’s when she realized how much it inspired her to be able

to help change and transform people’s lives. This is where her journey began. “I fell in love with the career and never looked back to doing anything else,” she says.

In 2002, Roemisch was inspired to become a figure competitor. Her heart was compelled to compete in the fitness category, but there were gymnastics and flexibil-ity components to it that she felt she was not ready for. Several years had passed since her last competition, but she decided to give it a go once again and competed for the WBFF Worlds in Las Vegas in 2012 and 2013.

Outside of the world of competition, Roemisch opened her own business called Younique Physique. She has been in business for more than 10 years in the health, fitness and wellness industry. She definitely has the passion to help her clients create the success they desire.

Roemisch began her business back in 2005 and has expanded three times since in order to accommodate her clients with the best training and any needs they have. She has a number of certifications under her belt that will surely get her clients where they need to be in life. She has a B.S. in kinesiology, an ACE Personal Trainer certification, an IFPA Personal Trainer certification and an NASM Personal Trainer certification.

Now, this is definitely someone I would love to train me. I am truly inspired by her confidence and the knowledge she possesses in the fitness industry. I have witnessed firsthand the hard work and dedication she puts into running her business, training her clients and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It can be very hard to find all of those components in one person, but Roemisch is a wonderful role model who helps others aspire to get there.

Even with running her own business, she also makes time for the fun things in life. We must all remember to balance our lives, and Roemisch serves as a great example of someone who does. Aside from training her clients, she definitely makes the time to workout and train to continue her passion for competing in the WBFF.

She loves to dance, run and go hiking. By the way,

Roemisch also has some great dance moves, and she does a lot of choreography. Another aspect of keep-ing the balance is making time for your family and friends, and she definitely does.

Even with the greatest times of her life, she has also experienced a point where she was dealing with health issues. It was like a roller coaster ride for her to figure out she had celiac disease. According to the National Library of Medicine, celiac disease is a condition that damages the

lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorb-ing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reac-tion to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats.

Now knowing what she has to do, she is educated in the steps she has to take in order to overcome this battle. It has inspired her to continue to eat healthy, take the right supplements and serve as an advocate to others who are dealing with the same issues.

Roemisch is not going to let anything stop her from her dream of going pro with the WBFF one day. She already has the drive, the passion and what it takes to be a winner. She is definitely a winner in my book. I have seen the many testimonials on her Facebook page from clients who say she helped them lose weight and that she’s the trainer every person can ask for. This is why Roemisch is our Inspiration 4 Life Healthy Side of Life Hero. ✽

For more information on Sonya Roemisch, you can lis-ten to the full radio interview at www.inspiration4life.org/liveaudio (Episode 37).

For more information on Rita Hernandez, NFit maga-zine writer, or Inspiration 4 Life Healthy Side of Life Heroes, you can visit her online at www.inspiration-4life.org or www.facebook.com/inspiration4lifeworld-wide, or email [email protected].

“I FELL IN LOVE WITH PERSONAL TRAINING,AND I NEVER LOOKED BACK TO DOING ANYTHING ELSE.”

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when Brooke Rogers walks into Halcyon, the hipster coffee shop and bar that opened earlier this year at Blue Star. Slender and statuesque, she’s wearing amber-shaded sunglasses and a felt black floppy hat over platinum blond hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. Her dark-washed jeans are tucked into a pair of tall, logo-covered Gucci boots. A cropped black brocade Dolce & Gabbana jacket covers an old white V-neck T-shirt that’s slightly dingy and sporting a couple of small holes.

She laughs as she sits, plucking at the T-shirt. An heirloom Neiman Marcus ring (gold filigree surrounding a gargantuan dollop of green turquoise) dominates her left hand. “I like to mix it up – high fashion and low, lots of vintage,” she said, settling into a large olive chair near one of the large picture windows. Her large brown eyes are ringed heavily in kohl. It’s the only makeup she appears to be wearing, save perhaps some lip gloss.

Rogers, 34, has always turned heads. A successful real estate broker who got her start with Phyllis Browning 10 years ago, she had carefully constructed a life of outward success, racking up professional accolades and financial success. But the personal cost was dear.

“I spent 10 years becoming who I needed to be for each one of my clients,” she said. “I lost myself. It was all about achievement. I had created this idealized self-image of myself…” She trailed off.

A year-and-a-half ago, the stress and damaging lifestyle finally caught up with her. She hit rock bottom, as they say in the recovery community. “Something bigger than me said, ‘you have to change your life – but you have to want it.’ And I did.”

Rogers stopped drinking and turned her focus inward. It wasn’t a quick, easy fix, and she acknowledges that the journey isn’t over. But the joy that radiates from this part-time (former?) model is evident. Her brown eyes are clear, and her gaze is direct. She smiles almost constantly, even as she describes some of the more painful episodes that led to her decision to change her life. And she says she wouldn’t change a thing.

“There’s a trade-off between hitting rock

Heads turn


“Brooke’s ability to get a meeting, to command

respect and to connect the dots is phenomenal.”


bottom and then being able to live your life with no fear, and living with a certain amount of fear, but never having to go there – to rock bottom,” she said. “I wouldn’t take back any of it. I have that freedom now.”

Rogers says she revels in the fact that she’s the same person now, every day and with everybody, from her high-powered clients to her almost-6-year-old son, who just started kindergarten.

Her friends, Roxana Chumney Rosado and her husband, Carlos, have had a ringside seat in

Rogers’ transformation, and it’s brought them closer together. “It’s been incredible to watch her grow,” Rosado said. “I’m so happy that she’s so confident and sure of herself, and can take advantage of the opportunities coming her way.”

Those opportunities include an unexpected career change that has already begun altering her life further. She’s now working for A. David Lynd of the Lynd Company, which recently purchased and is renovating the St. Anthony Hotel. She’s working as a consultant with his

latest venture, EnV Group. And while she’ll be based in the St. Anthony

once the extensive renovations are complete, Rogers’ new gig will likely take her all over the world, promoting EnV and its ventures, which includes building up the San Antonio Talons, which Lynd owns, “into a recognized and highly watched team.”

But her first and largest challenge with EnV Group is the creation and promotion of Amber Lounge, a luxury club exclusive to the Formula 1 racing crowd in Austin. Lynd described it

“I want success for other peopleas much as I want it for myself.”


as “a party at F1 – the ultimate VIP experience.”

“Brooke is the perfect person for this job,” he said by phone from a cab in New York City recently. “Her ability to get a meeting, to command respect and connect the dots is phenomenal. And she’s got quite a Rolodex.”

Rogers is clearly in her element as she describes her recent work: “I sold three $10,000 tables, lined up stylists and luxury housing for the celebrities, reserved private planes and helicopters … and that was just today!”

Lynd said he’d watched Rogers for about a year before he hired her. And she’s quick to point out that he didn’t offer her a job – she asked for it. “I told him why he needed to hire me, and I made a good case,” she said. “I’m not afraid to ask.”

While Rogers may have transformed her life in many ways, in others, she’s still the same charismatic, driven and problem-solving person she’s always been. “I’m a connector,” she said. “I want success for other people as much as I want it for myself. What I’ve real-ized now, though, is that to help other people, I know I need to be who I really am.”

And who she really is, she acknowl-edges, isn’t the person who ran mara-thons to stay fit. And while she’s proud of those races (she had a red gown altered to incorporate her New York Marathon medal), they were part of who the old Brooke Rogers imagined was the perfect person. “Now I have a love/hate relationship with my kettle bell,” she said, laughing. “People want to know how to get a six-pack? Swing a kettle bell.”

She says she no longer obsesses over exercising or having the perfect body. And yet, she feels more comfortable in her skin now than she ever has. It’s a feeling she traces back to her transfor-mation, which has given her a wider,

more global perspective. “I have a genuine respect now for the fact that I’m not the only person on this planet,” she said. “And it’s not my place to interfere with anyone and their path they’re on.”

She lists author, lecturer and spiritual teacher Marianne Wil-liamson, along with Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning,” as deep influences on her thinking. “I can read that book over and over again,” she said. “I really connect with his idea that each one of us is responsible for his or her own life.” ✽

For more information, contact Brooke Rogers at [email protected] or 210-274-5389.

KaravanStudio

Owned & Operated by

Karen Barbee Adkisson

331 W. Mulberry, Ste 3 San Antonio, TX 78212

[email protected]

210.232.3035 www.karavansa.com

Belly Dance Classes

KAREN BARBEE ADKISSON began studying belly dancing at the age of 10. Over

three decades later, Karen has developed a teaching methodology for

this ancient dance form based on technical precision, soulful

innovation, and cultural respect. Having studied and performed

in Egypt and Lebanon, Karen is now in demand to present her

style of belly dance instruction to students all over the

United States, Canada, and South America.

Known for her clear and precise explanation of this

complex form of movement, Karen has produced

several instructional DVDs of this dance and has

trained some of the country's leading professional

dancers.

With BD Basics and Beginner Combinations you will:

♦ Learn and review basic hip sways, undulations,

figure 8's, hip circles, hip thrusts, hip drops, and

shimmies.

♦ Create simple combinations alternating between

smooth and accented approaches.

♦ Coordinate and layer graceful arm patterns with

simple body movements.

♦ Exercise while you dance, developing strength

and flexibility throughout the body.

This DVD is presented as an actual class with Karen

teaching into a mirror, visible from the back and the

front. The backing music comes from her newly

released " MASTERY AND Mystery" cd.

Also available in this DVD series: Belly Dance Drillz and Intermediate Variations

Belly Dance Technical Drillz and Advanced Variations

Video Production Leith Askins Video

Cover Photos

Kelley Ramotowski

Produced by Karen Barbee Adkisson

Filmed at Synergy Studio in San Antonio, Texas

DVD run time: approx. 55 minutes

For information on available DVD's

and CD's, to view video clips, and to see

a schedule of performances and workshops visit

www.KARENBARBEE.com © copyright 2008 Karen Barbee Adkisson, All rights reserved.

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KAREN BARBEE PRESENTS…

BELLY DANCE BASICS AND

BEGINNER COMBINATIONS

with music from "MASTERY AND Mystery"

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Instructional DVDs available at

www.karavansa.com

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EXPERT TALK

ASKQ: WHAT EXACTLY DOES TRAUMA CARE ENTAIL?A: Trauma care involves treating persons suffering from traumatic injuries. Trauma care involves specialized emergency medical services that effectively treat trauma, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, are the main cause of death for Americans ages 1 through 44. Vehicle accidents, assaults and falls account for the majority of trauma cases. The medical community recognized that traumatic injuries are actually a disease process in and of themselves, requiring specialized treatment methodologies and equipment. Dedicated trauma centers were then born to provide the necessary level of specialized care trauma patients need.

Q: WHAT MAKES TRAUMA CARE SPECIALIZED?A: Traumatic injuries occur suddenly and unexpectedly, sending the body into extreme, destabilizing reactions such as shock. Heavy bleeding is often a factor in traumatic injuries, both internal and external. A patient with traumatic injuries must be stabilized in a timely manner in order to ensure not only an improved prognosis for recovery, but also, in cases of severe trauma, survival itself. Specialized trauma care centers such as the Level 3 Trauma Center at North Central Baptist Hospital, of

TRAUMA CARE: IT HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE FIRST SPECIALIZED TRAUMA TREATMENTS WERE DEVELOPED IN ENGLAND IN THE 1940S.

BY DR. DONALD DILWORTH

“Expert advice from your trusted BHS Physicians Network.”

THE EXPERTS

BHSPHYSICIANSNETWORK

Immediate Medical Action

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which I serve as medical director, are dedicated to providing trauma patients who require immedi-ate medical attention with the specialized care necessary for stabilization and treatment.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME TYPICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRAUMATIC INJURIES?A: Treatment for traumatic injuries often involves immediate surgery. That is why surgeons are such a vital part of any trauma team. As a practicing general surgeon, that is one of my medi-cal roles in the Level 3 Trauma Center at North Central Baptist. I step in when a patient with traumatic injuries needs surgery for life-saving treatment.

Q: HOW IS SURGERY FOR TRAUMATIC INJURIES DIFFERENT FROM OTHER TYPES OF SURGERIES?A: Trauma surgeries and proce-dures are usually performed in an emergency setting and may require complex, perhaps difficult decisions to be made quickly. Trauma surgeons must be familiar with a variety of general surgical procedures, as well as thoracic and vascular procedures, and they must be proficient in all levels of critical care and facets of emer-gency medicine. Trauma surgery is a sudden, lifesaving medical procedure that a trauma surgeon

undertakes, sometimes without the benefit of all of the facts or a complete patient history. Never-theless, a trauma surgeon must be ready to perform the procedures necessary to save a person’s life on a moment’s notice.

Q: WHAT IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN TRAUMA CARE THAT MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?A: One new problem in trauma care that has arisen is the many new anticoagulant medications that patients are being placed on for many reasons, including strokes, atrial fibrillation, periph-eral vascular disease and cardiac disease, often administered after bypass surgery and stents. These

newer medications, although effective at thinning the blood, often have no way to measure the effect on clotting and have few or no treatments to reverse their effects. This can cause what may have been a minor bleeding issue to become a major hemor-rhage, which can become life threatening when it involves the head, chest or abdomen and may require emergent intervention by the trauma team. ✽

Donald Dilworth, M.D., FACS, practices general surgery with STAT Surgical at multiple San Antonio locations and in Schertz. For more information or for an appointment, call 210-657-2100.

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, ASSAULTS AND FALLS account for the majority of trauma cases. {


Q: WHO IS VULNERABLE TO HYPOGLYCEMIA?A: Hypoglycemia can present in a number of patient populations. While diabetics are especially vulnerable to sudden, severe drops in blood glucose levels, as are patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, hypoglyce-mia can be caused by other factors, too.

Some causes of hypoglycemia in ill or medicated individuals include:

• Drugs such as insulin and alcohol• Hormone deficiency and unstable levels

of cortisol, glucagon and epinephrine• Critical illness such as severe hepatic,

renal and cardiac disease • Non-islet cell tumor of the pancreas

Some causes of hypoglycemia in appar-ently well individuals include:

• Insulinoma• Post-gastric bypass

hypoglycemia• Noninsulinoma pan-

creatogenous hypogly-cemia

• Accidental, surreptitious or malicious hypoglycemia

Q: IS HYPOGLYCEMIA DANGEROUS?A: Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening because glucose is required for the proper functioning of most organs, including the brain and heart.

Q: HOW CAN THIS CONDITION BEST BE TREATED OR MANAGED?A: Treatment depends upon what caused the condition to present. For example, post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia can be pre-vented with diet modification: high protein, low-carb foods and small, frequent meals.

Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT HYPOGLYCEMIA THAT IS NOT WIDELY KNOWN?A: Severe refractory post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia may require a partial or sub-total pancreatectomy.

Ami Kadakia, M.D., specializes in geriatric and internal medicine at MedFirst Primary Care Clinic in Alamo Heights, located at 5929 Broadway in San Antonio, Texas. For more information or to schedule an ap-pointment, please go to www.med1st.com or call 210-824-5392.

HYPOGLYCEMIA: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS FOR THIS LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION

BY DR. AMI KADAKIA

Raising the Levels

DIABETICS ARE ESPECIALLY

VULNERABLE TOsudden, severe drops

in blood glucose levels.

ASK THE EXPERTS

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Benefits and ChallengesHOW BREASTFEEDING CAN NURTURE BOTH MOTHERS AND BABIES IN BODY AND IN SPIRIT

BY DR. PATRICIA MACKIN

Q: WHAT IS THE MINIMAL LENGTH OF TIME THE AMERICAN MEDICAL COMMUNITY SUGGESTS FOR WOMEN TO BREASTFEED THEIR BABIES?A: Breastfeeding recommendations have been made by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These recommendations are nearly identical – in other words, the minimum length of breastfeeding is generally agreed upon worldwide. Breastfeeding is the pre-ferred method of feeding for infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended from birth until 6 months of age. This means that from birth until 6 months of age, a baby should be fed only breastmilk unless supplementation is indicated for a specific medical reason. After 6 months of age, other food or drink such as baby food, ce-real and water may be

introduced. However, breastfeeding should continue as the main source of nutrition until at least 1 year of age.

Q: DOES THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY RECOMMEND A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF TIME FOR BREASTFEEDING?A: There is no clearly defined stopping point for breastfeeding. One year of age is a mini-mum goal, but there is no conclusive evidence that the benefits of breastmilk stop after a particular age. There have been some studies to suggest that breastmilk may be somewhat less beneficial after the age of 2, but this data is not conclusive. We know that breastmilk is nutritionally complete and specially designed for human consumption. There is no data that breastmilk is harmful beyond a certain age or that it is at any time inferior to cow’s milk. Ideally, at some point beyond a year of age,

weaning should occur gradually as a baby’s interest in nursing declines.

Q: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING FOR THE CHILD?A: The benefits of breastfeeding for children are quite numerous. The main benefit is the protection that breastmilk confers against infectious disease. Breastmilk contains mac-rophages and antibodies, which are cells and proteins that fight harmful bacteria and other pathogens. As a result, breastfed babies have been shown to have a significantly lower rate of illness, including less gastrointestinal ill-ness, less respiratory illness, less urinary tract infections and less sepsis. Furthermore, breast-

EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

burns about 500 calories

PER DAY.


feeding is good for an infant’s gut health because breastmilk has probiotic qualities. It does not contain live bacteria, but it has been shown to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and increase the colony counts of good bacteria in the gut. Plus, it is more easily absorbed than formula and contains hormones that enhance the functionality of the gut. This means better digestion, less constipation and less discomfort for the baby. Long-term benefits are seen, as well. Children and adults who were breastfed as infants have lower rates of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), lower rates of obesity and possibly lower rates of other chronic medical diseases.

New studies are coming out all the time show-ing more and more benefits of breastfeeding.

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING FOR THE MOTHER, IF ANY?A: There are many benefits for a mother who opts to breastfeed. I will address just a few of the main ones. First, there are the financial benefits. Breastmilk is free. A mother who exclusively breastfeeds is not spending money on formula. The reduced incidence of illness in the baby means less worry about the baby, fewer missed days of work and less money spent on doctor visits and antibiotics. In addi-tion, exclusive breastfeeding burns about 500 calories per day. This, along with sensible eat-ing and exercise, can help a mother lose some of the extra baby weight. Also, the oxytocin release associated with breastfeeding enhances the ability of the uterus to contract, thus reduc-ing the risk of excessive postpartum bleeding. Plus, there is a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women who breastfed compared with women who never breastfed a baby.

Q: IS BREASTFEEDING RECOMMENDED FOR ALL BABIES? ARE THERE ANY CASES WHERE BREASTFEEDING IS NOT RECOMMENDED?A: Breastfeeding is recommended for almost every baby. There are some very rare excep-tions. For example, a mother who is HIV positive should not breastfeed. Mothers who use illicit drugs should not breastfeed until they stop using and clear the drugs from their system. Mothers who have breast cancer should not breastfeed. Some babies with rare genetic dis-orders that affect metabolism cannot breastfeed

and must take specialized formula. There are a few other exceptions, as well, but they are rare. A mother who is concerned about a particular medical condition or medication should consult a physician who has experience caring for nurs-ing mothers to determine if there is a way for her to safely breastfeed.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON REASONS YOU HAVE HEARD WOMEN GIVE FOR NOT BREASTFEEDING?A: There are two common reasons women give. Some women believe they cannot breastfeed. In the early days of breastfeeding, before the milk supply fully comes in, a woman’s milk supply is naturally low. Sometimes women see this when they pump and become discouraged, believing they cannot make enough milk. In other cases, a baby is very fussy and a mother is led to believe that her milk is not plentiful enough or good enough, so she gives up breastfeeding. Early supplementation with a bottle can then lead to nipple confusion, which makes the breastfeed-ing process even more frustrating. In most cases, the mother is doing just fine breastfeed-

ing and her supply is normal. Unfortunately, women may fall victim to some myths they have been told about breastfeeding.

The other common reason is personal preference. Some women just do not believe breastfeeding is for them. They may feel frustrated by nipple pain, latching problems or having to wake up at night to nurse. Other women have been urged by family members or friends to switch to formula and not bother with breastfeeding. As a physician, I see it as my job to encourage breastfeeding and inform parents about its benefits. Breastfeeding is the preferred, healthiest and most natural way to

feed a baby. If parents are aware of the benefits but still opt out of breastfeeding, I meet them where they are with that decision. I do not blame a mother for having challenges or tag her decisions as invalid. I see it as a reason we as a medical community need to step in and make stronger efforts to support women and make breastfeeding possible for most of them.

Q: WHERE DOES TEXAS RANK IN BREASTFEEDING STATISTICS COMPARED WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?A: According to the 2013 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) breastfeeding report card data, Texas is about average compared to the rest of the country. In Texas, 77.2 percent of mothers report having ever breastfed, compared to 76.5 percent nationally. In Texas, 25.8 percent are still breastfeeding at 1 year of age, compared to 27 percent nationally. There are some states that are doing much better than Texas, and there are some states that are doing worse. As you can see, we have a great deal of room for improve-

ASK THE EXPERTS

BREAST MILK IS A HIGHLY DYNAMIC SUBSTANCE – SO MUCH SO THAT IT IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS

“white blood”

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ment. The CDC has set some goals for breastfeeding rates as part of its Healthy People 2020 campaign. They are looking to have 81.9 percent of mothers ever breast-feeding and 34.1 percent of mothers still breastfeeding at 1 year.

Q: WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MEET THESE CDC GOALS?A: We should all strive to meet and exceed these goals in San Antonio, in Texas and nationwide. Increasing breastfeeding initiation and maintenance rates is a job for the entire medical community and the community at large. We need to ensure that women are informed about the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding edu-cation must be easily accessible, clear and affordable for women early in their pregnancies. Hospitals should be following the baby-friendly recommendations endorsed by the AAP, the WHO and the CDC to sup-port breastfeeding: skin-to-skin contact and initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, rooming in, avoidance of early bottle feeding and regular access to lactation assistance. After mothers leave the hospital, family doctors, pediatricians and OB/GYN specialists should be prepared to regularly follow-up with breast-feeding mothers and help them manage their chal-lenges and concerns. As a family physician, I see it as my unique responsibility to address the needs of both breastfeeding mothers and babies in a well-informed, encouraging and sensitive way. I have the benefit of being able to provide medical care to both adults and children, making it possible to see mothers and babies together.

Q: WHAT IS A SURPRISING FACT ABOUT BREASTFEEDING THAT MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?A: Breastmilk is a highly dynamic substance – so much so that it is sometimes referred to as “white blood.” It contains antibodies, cells and hormones that are func-tional. Studies have shown that pumped milk left to sit out for a limited period of time will have a lower bacte-rial count than fresh milk. In other words, the milk can clean itself. Amazing! Of course, if it is left out beyond the recommended period of time, it will grow more bacteria, so clean and safe handling is always a must.

Dr. Patricia Mackin practices family medicine at her Castle Hills office at 2241 NW Military Highway, Ste. 200, in San Antonio, Texas. For an appointment, call 210-541-8689.

For more information on the BHS Physicians Network, go to www.bhsphysiciansnetwork.com or email Julie Minnick at [email protected].

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1How much is that relationship worth to me? Now, this one may be enough to stop us if we really value the

person getting slandered. However, it can also fuel us even more if we are upset with that per-son, which is why I had to invent more checks and balances to go through.

2 I consider it my responsibility to protect the person who is not there to defend themselves.

Regardless of whether I deem them worthy, it’s only right to stand up for those who aren’t pres-ent to stand up for themselves. It’s the reason our country believes every person should have the right to a fair trial. In other words, even the guiltiest parties have the right to be in the room and defend their actions to their peers.

3And lastly: How much is my integ-rity worth to me? This one is huge. As soon as we open our mouth about

someone else, our integrity and professionalism always go down in the eyes of others. Even if it doesn’t spoil their view of us immediately, the amount of trust others have in us always begins to disintegrate when they hear us slander someone else.

What would it look like if we took it upon ourselves to cut off gossip? It we chose to not participate in bashing someone else behind their back? If we made a point to change the subject when the conservation drifts in that direction?

I’m not saying this is easy. In fact, it takes a lot of maturity and professionalism and even more self-control. But think about the ben-efits: We wouldn’t lose a friend for betraying them behind their back. We wouldn’t lose our integrity to those who hear our ill will against someone else. And most importantly, we would come away knowing we did the right thing.

Next time you have the opportunity to gos-sip, try putting these principles into practice and come away with the confidence of strong relationships and intact integrity. ✽

Bre’anna Emmitt is a Christian, a wife, a mother of three and a freelance writer. You can usually find her each weekend ministering alongside her husband, Chris, at Community Bible Church. To read more articles like this, along with recipes, marriage topics and more, go to www.sozowomen.com. You can also con-tact her via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (@breannaemmitt).

EVER HAD a friendship turn sour? Me too. It’s awful, isn’t it? And if your friendship was anything like mine, chances are good that the divide started with the small, but powerful chisel of gossip.

We all know how terrible it feels to be gos-siped about. And unfortunately, we are prob-ably equally aware of how momentarily good it can feel to spill the beans about someone else. It usually starts out with an infamous sentence that takes less than 10 seconds to say. It feels harmless – and sometimes it even feels fun. It goes something like this: “Ohmygosh, did you hear about so-and-so?”

And while it feels so good as it rolls off our tongue, that impulsive statement can (and will) destroy even the closest relationships. There is an old proverb in the Bible that reads: “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip

separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28, NLT). That proverb was written thousands of years ago, and it still rings just as true today.

Have you been there? Have you had a friendship fall into ashes after gossip sparked a non-extinguishable fire? Maybe you were gos-siped about, or maybe you were the one who gossiped. Either way, we know the dangers of sharing too much. It’s so difficult, though, to stop the gossip train from barreling forward.

So when all of our friends are putting someone down and we happen to have even more dirt to throw on the pile, how do we stop ourselves from tossing it on top? For me, it’s a battle, too – especially when that someone has wronged me or wronged someone I care about. But the bottom line that helps stop my mouth in its runaway tracks is remembering a few key principles:

HOW TO LOSEA FRIEND IN10 secondsTRADING IN GOSSIP FOR INTEGRITY

BY BRE’ANNA EMMITT


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MIND, BODY & SOUL

Eating Healthy Never Felt So Good

THE TOP NUTRITION EXPERTS AT HEALTHCRAVE MEDICAL CENTERS WORK WITH CHEF JESSE RIOS TO HELP PATIENTS BOTH IMPROVE

THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND REBUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE BY REACHING THEIR WEIGHT-LOSS GOALS.

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NUTRITION is a lifestyle. It is part of your everyday life. Foods you choose to consume for breakfast, lunch and din-ner, and even foods you choose to have for snacks are all part of your nutrition. With obesity on the rise, the decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle is perhaps the most important choice you will ever make. HealthCrave Medical Centers is partnering with Chef Jesse Rios in cook-ing personalized, healthy meals for their patients.

HealthCrave Medical Centers is a multidisciplinary wellness facility aimed at focusing on the primary health of the whole person. HealthCrave Medical Centers is a place where the best-avail-able experts in the fields of medicine, nutrition, fitness and life balance are all available under one roof in order to help individuals who are searching for a healthier lifestyle improve the quality and longevity of their lives.

The HealthCrave Nutrition Center offers multiple nutritional product lines and HealthMeal plans that help maxi-mize nutrition and encourage individuals to support every aspect of their overall well-being. HealthCrave’s nutritional programs are personalized and designed to the patient’s lifestyle needs.

Patients begin with a one-on-one consultation with a nutritionist. The nutritionists access the patients’ past and current eating habits, as well as any medical conditions they may have. By understanding what a patient’s lifestyle is like, the nutritionists can modify the changes that need to be made in order for the patient to live a healthier lifestyle. HealthCrave is thrilled to integrate Rios into the nutrition center to provide personalized, delicious, healthy meals for patients to take home.

Rios has more than 18 years of profes-sional culinary experience, and he is a member of the United States Personal Chef Association, where he currently serves as vice president of the San An-tonio chapter. Rios operates through his business, Visual Palate, and he is a fully licensed and insured executive chef who takes great pride in ensuring that his food follows San Antonio and Metro Health food preparation guidelines.

Rios works directly with HealthCrave staff members and doctors to create HealthCrave meals by Visual Palate. Each meal is made with time and care, and is specifically designed for Health-

Crave patients who wish to improve their health and reach their weight-loss goals. HealthCrave patients have reported losing two to three pounds per week just by changing their diet and eating clean, healthy foods.

Rios uses his skills and knowledge of food to “build flavors,” which means he creates menus based on seasonal ingredients and utilizes modern technolo-gies and ideas to make healthy food taste great. These meal plans are specifically designed to fit each individual’s specific dietary needs. Every meal he prepares is completely microwavable and served in an individual container for immediate

access. Losing weight not only improves your quality of life, but also rebuilds your confidence. Rios is dedicated to helping individuals succeed and get healthy.

Rios started cooking for his family as an adolescent. He began to experi-ment in the kitchen, creating meals for his siblings and parents to enjoy after a long day. As each new dish began to take form, so did his passion for culinary arts. Much like other great chefs, Rios got his start as a dishwasher at the Omni La Mansion, and within weeks, he was ready to make his move to cooking. Still a teenager, Rios began working in kitch-ens across San Antonio, working under some of the city’s best chefs. Under the direction of world-renowned Chef Scott Cohen, Rios quickly moved up the ranks of the kitchen.

Rios has also had the opportunity to travel to cities like Chicago and New York to hone his culinary skills in some of the country’s best Michelin-starred restaurants, where he gained knowl-edge and experience from a total of six Michelin-starred chefs. Michelin stars recognize exceptional dining quality, and they are the most coveted awards in the culinary industry. He was even able to assist in Charlie Trotter’s 22nd anniver-sary celebration of his three-star Michelin restaurant.

Today, Rios has a lot on his plate. He oversees the day-to-day operations as executive chef and owner of Rios Chef Service LLC, Visual Palate, Incredible Treats Catering and The Tipton House, and as executive chef and business part-ner of HealthCrave Medical Centers. ✽

For more information regarding HealthCrave and Chef Jesse Rios, please visit www.sahealthcrave.com or contact Cedar Joiner at 210-492-1563.

HEALTHCRAVE PATIENTS HAVE

REPORTED LOSING TWO TO THREE

POUNDS PER WEEK JUST BY EATING

CLEAN, HEALTHY FOODS.


MIND, BODY & SOUL

I RECENTLY STUMBLED upon a rare being who radiated an at-titude of trust in the universe, and the experience has been life-altering. One of the many truths found in this man, “Esteban,” is that we get back what we are.

The people and situations in our lives are direct reflections of how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. If we find ourselves often surrounded by angry people, there is likely a seed of anger within us; if we attract love and contentment, within lies the same. When we fear loss, we lose; when we trust, we prosper. It may be a hard truth to accept, but it’s only in acceptance that we find the power to choose. We attract what we are, and I now have living proof.

Esteban is a wise, playful, old soul in his 20s. He has hitchhiked from the Midwestern states to the Pacific Northwest corner and back again, and he now finds himself in West Texas. This is where he entered my life. His tent was in place next to mine, and in his introduction he mentioned that he lives there.

Then he walked off. I sat stunned for a moment, wondering, with a closed mind, how such a well-spoken, put-together and captivating man ended up living in a tent. But then the joy and contentment in his spirit washed over me as I realized he had chosen his lifestyle, and I was humbled.

Esteban has none of the futile concerns we “normal” folk have. Everywhere that I have fear, he shows trust. Where I assume the worst, he chooses to believe the best. I asked him how, in the world we live in today, he can put himself out there at the mercy of strangers. His sources of transportation, food and shelter are so often unknown!

He simply trusts. I have heard for so long to trust, and now I have wit-nessed a life full of the joy and lightness it brings. Esteban trusts, and the universe hands him all that he needs. Every day. He gets back what he is.

When I returned to the “real world” after my few days in the desert, I immediately longed for the simplicity and wholeness I had just left. In

our culture, everyone seems to operate in fear. We hide out in our homes, “connect” on our smart phones, speed by in flashy cars needing to be first and keep our eyes down in fear of contact – and we miss the whole thing. Living is trusting. Living is connecting. Not from behind the façade of our possessions, identities, schedules, preferences and egos, but connec-tion in being stripped of all but our souls.

It’s only in the mind that we live in this state of fear and disconnection. It’s not real. Those around us are real – those with the same longing for relief from their fantastical fears. Life is meant to be lived, not avoided. And living well has never required accumulating or having it all figured out. The most alive being I have ever met possesses only an open mind and an open heart. And in that, he has it all. His presence has altered my world forever. I trust we will meet again.

Thank you, Esteban. You’re beautiful. ✽

Miki Bowers’ vision is to live in a way that promotes spiritual and conscious-

ness expansion. Her passion lies in helping others develop mental and

physical habits that allow them to find their true self. In this way, one more

soul is reconnected to the whole. She is an Ashtanga yogi, a writer, a con-

sciousness coach, a mother, an ex-wife, a trail runner, a speaker, a ranch hand, an aircraft mechanic, a cook, a mystic, a listener, a healer and a bad ass. Find her online at www.creatingstillness.net

or www.facebook.com/creatingstillness.

Choosing Trust

WE GET WHAT WE ARE.

BY MIKI BOWERS

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MIND, BODY & SOUL

MOST OF US have been in a situation where the person we are getting to know starts to send mixed signals. You begin to wonder whether they are into you or not. This uncertainty causes a level of anxiety, which leads to stress. Instead of being direct and asking to clarify words, actions and/or intentions, you try to figure it out on your own. Or you ask friends to help make sense of the confusion.

What usually keeps us from directly asking is fear of the answer. But wouldn’t you rather know the answer instead of wasting your time guessing? The only solution for clarity is to be direct and ask face-to-face or in a phone call. It’s best to not use any form of electronic communication in these scenarios.

If you are getting mixed signals, it typically means he has mixed intentions. The only way to truly learn and understand someone is through honest and effective communication. So if you plan on a having a healthy relationship, you’d better learn how to properly communicate and speak up when it’s necessary. If you are in a situation where you aren’t sure what their level of interest is or where the relationship is heading, don’t be afraid to ask.

How you ask is key because you don’t want to sound “needy” or “desperate.” That is an entire article within itself, but here are some tips to get you started:

Getting Mixed Signals?DON’T BE AFRAID TO FIND OUT HIS INTENTIONS.

BY JANIE TERRAZAS-SANTIAGO AND LUIS SANTIAGO

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➊ Be calm and rational when asking. This will help you stay focused on the matter at hand. If you are too emotional, it can turn him off, so try to stay relaxed and think logically.

➋ Stick to the point. Don’t let him get off the subject or go on a tangent. If he can’t give you a direct answer or he gets defensive or frustrated, it’s a big red flag. No one likes to be

put on the spot, but when it comes to relation-ships, certain situations require it to save you time and heartache.

Now, there is always the chance that he will tell you what you want to hear (aka lie). This is when you take the old saying to heart: “Actions speak louder than words.” If he continues to do or say things that make you unsure, it’s best to walk away. Be strong and disconnect. And by “disconnect,” I mean completely – no commu-nication whatsoever.

That means don’t stay friends with him. If you have an emotional connection and you stay

friends thinking one day he will come around, you are in for a rude awakening. Trust me – I can’t tell you how many people I know who get themselves into these situations. If he wants to date you or if he wants something more serious, he will do what’s necessary to be with you.

If he comes back around, it’s important to state your boundaries clearly and effectively.

For example: “I am working on having honest and direct communication in my relationships, and I’m only interested in spending time with someone who has the same intentions. If you aren’t comfortable with that, I understand.”

If you move forward and he starts the old song and dance back up again, you know he is playing games. At that point, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this worth pursuing?’ The bottom line is that men and women need to demon-strate more confidence and decisiveness when it comes to their intentions. This will avoid misfiring signals. ✽

Luis Santiago and his wife, Janie Terrazas-Santiago, work

as relationship and life coaches. To learn more about them and their services or to schedule a

free coaching session, visit Luis’ website at www.luissantiago.

net. You can also email [email protected] or janie@

luissantiago.net if you have any questions or comments.

{ }IF YOU ARE

GETTING MIXED SIGNALS, IT

TYPICALLY MEANS HE HAS MIXED INTENTIONS.

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THIS COMMUNITY of families joins together to play every chance they get. We encourage parents, grandpar-ents, cousins, aunts, uncles and even your pets to come out and play with us. And the fitness part, well, that is the magic: It just happens!

If you ask any of our kids about their favorite part of working out with the Fitness FUNatics, they might say, “playing with the grownups.” If you ask the grownups, they’d likely admit that they haven’t found a more effective

way to release adult stress than to play like a kid. The added bonus: It’s a great way for all ages to bond.

Don’t have any children? That’s OK. Bring your niece, your nephew or just your radiant inner child and come join us! We have plenty of amazing adults on board.

Our goal is to encourage people to join us for some healthy playtime. Come recapture what it feels like to

have fun with fitness. You just might find yourself wanting to grab an apple instead of those chips for your next snack.

The FUN in FitnessSERVING AS LEADERS FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN

THE COMMUNITY, THE FITNESS FUNATICS CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY PLAYTIME FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS.

BY SUZANNE M. PARKERM

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OUTDOOR FITNESS


Here is some history behind the Fitness FUNa-tics: Two native San Antonio girls – Alyssa and Makayla Esparza – were motivated to make some lifestyle changes as they viewed the TV program, “The Biggest Loser.” They came to the realiza-tion that they had a lot in common with the child players on the TV show. From that moment on, their family had a new identity, and the Fitness FUNatics were born.

As leaders for health and wellness in the com-munity, Alyssa (7) and Makayla (9) continue to put the fun in fitness as they and their team lead the workouts at O.P. Schnabel Park on Saturdays at 9 a.m. The FUNatics force continues to grow as this enthusiastic group builds obstacle courses and circuit workouts and organizes team sports like kickball and soccer.

As this is a grassroots movement, local lives are changing and our kids are becoming leaders who inspire healthy choices. With the help of sponsors like Powerhouse Bakery and Zedric’s Fit with Fla-vor, we empower parents to support new healthier choices in the kitchen. By becoming health ambassadors for their community, the FUNatic kids are helping make exercise and healthy food choices a priority for their peers.

Help us remember to integrate the power of active bodies and balanced nutrition. Together, we can transform our community while reminding ourselves how much fun getting active can be. ✽

For more information, visit us online at www.facebook.com/fitnessfunaticssanantonio, email us at [email protected] or call us at 210-887-7858. We look forward to meeting you! The Fitness

FUNaticsARE HELPING MAKE

EXERCISE AND HEALTHY FOOD

CHOICES A PRIORITY FOR THEIR PEERS.

The Fitness FUNatics are riding the tidal wave of their success! The ardent local response to the FUNatics has garnered national recognition. Alyssa and Makayla were recently awarded the mayor’s Healthy Hero award. The FUNatics have also appeared on the local TV broadcasts, “Where’s Cleto?,” “Great Day SA,” KABB “Daytime @ 9” and the KSAT 12 news at 10, and even on the national broadcast, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show.”

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OUTDOOR FITNESS

Changing the LANDSCAPE

THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE FITNESS IN THE PARK AND FIT PASS SA, THE SAN ANTONIO PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES

TO BEEF UP ITS EFFORTS TO SLIM DOWN THE ALAMO CITY.

BY MICHAEL BALDWIN


THE FITNESS IN THE PARK PROGRAM HAS SEEN MORE THAN 20,000 PARTICIPANTS CITYWIDE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

AS THE SUN shines down just over the tree line in Phil Hardberger Park, a cool breeze sweeps in and shows a subtle sign of autumn. It’s a Tuesday evening, and the park is buzzing with activity. The playground is peppered with laughter, and the sidewalks are active with walkers, many leading a furry friend down the path to the dog park. There is a group of men playing basketball and a youth football team practicing in the adjacent open sports field.

This is a familiar scene at one of the city’s most prized parks, but through a clearing, on a small patch of grass next to the picnic tables, a young woman unrolls a long mat and places it on the ground. Soon after, she’s joined by a few more people, and within minutes, a small crowd has formed a circle of mats. It’s time for yoga. This is one of many exercise classes offered on a daily basis throughout the entire year as part of the city’s Fitness in the Park, a program that brings free fitness classes to parks all over San Antonio.

In fact, San Antonio, once hailed as one of America’s fattest cities, has undergone a transformation over the past few years. Fitness, health and wellness have become a heavy focus point for organizations like the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. Spotting a group of yogis or an outdoor boot camp class has become commonplace, as the Fitness in the Park program has seen more than 20,000 participants citywide over the last year. Zumba, pilates, aerobics, kids’ fitness and walking groups are just a few examples of the types of classes San Antonio residents are using as a way to change the health landscape in San Antonio.

In July, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department announced that San Antonio’s obesity rate has plummeted from 35 percent down to 28.5 percent since 2010, which is below the state’s average of 29.5 percent. Mayor Julián Castro and Metro Health credited the drop to special projects and initia-tives originally created through the $15.6 mil-lion Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant the city received back in 2010. These projects include Fitness in the Park, Sí-

clovía, the Ride 2 Own bicycling program and various healthy foods in schools projects.

“People are getting more active and living healthier in San Antonio, whether it’s walking, cycling or using our parks,” Castro said, as quoted in a press release. “We now have con-crete evidence that our investments are paying off and positively impacting the health of our families and the overall quality of life in San Antonio.”

The good news is that the city shows no signs of stopping. Although the CPPW grant funding has run its course, many organizations are taking the necessary steps to sustain these programs. The San Antonio Parks and Recre-ation Department, in addition to enhancing its Fitness in the Park program, has created Fit Pass SA, a unique fitness initiative that offers incentives for people who attend wellness events offered throughout the city.

In partnership with Mayor’s Fitness Council and organizations like San Antonio Sports, H-E-B and the YMCA, this program acts as a fit-

ness scavenger hunt. Participants use their Fit Pass SA passports to earn points that will give them the chance to win prizes such as bicycles, fitness equipment, gift cards to local wellness retailers and more.

Recently, San Antonio received a $1.5 million grant from Coca-Cola to implement similar programs over the next three years, in-cluding Ride 2 Own, a bicycling program that awards brand new bikes to those who complete the program, and Troops for Fitness, an effort to bring the community fitness classes taught by military veteran instructors. ✽

This editorial was submitted by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. For more information about Fitness in the Park, Fit Pass SA or other City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation programs, visit www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec or call 210-207-3000.


MOM ON THE GO

➻

AS A GROUP fitness instruc-tor, I wonder how many people will come to my classes. Is there a big game on TV that day? Is the weather bad? Is everyone on vacation? Classes can easily have eight to 12 extra people joining in or eight to 12 people bowing out week to week.

One thing I know for sure after 10 years of teaching is that you never know what Decem-ber holds. With extra calorie consumption and the desire to fit into holiday outfits, I can get a surge of members coming into class for a serious workout. On the flip side, with shopping and extra commitments at work, school and church, there can be a shockingly low number of members joining you that day. I want to encourage you to get to your fitness class or stick with your routine during this busy time of year.

First, schedule your workouts for the week on Sunday night and put them in your calendar as appointments. Your body is a great place to invest your time and energy. We need to do more than maintain good health; we need to raise the quality of our health. When you dedicate time for your body, you start a cycle of good health for the future – and when you set and keep com-mitments, you strengthen your confidence in yourself.

So let’s plan ahead. The class you want to take on Monday is only an hour long, but you need time to get there early to set up and time to stretch afterwards, and you need time to drive there and back home. One way to save time is to pack a bag with a change of clothes and go straight from the gym to your next destination. When the nights get cooler and the days get wetter, wearing sweaty clothes to the grocery store is not a pleasant experience.

Next, be realistic. Keep your commitments to your workouts and your commitments to others, but don’t over promise. Accord-ing to “The Portable Coach”

by Thomas Leonard, “promise little, deliver everything.” You don’t have to schedule a class at the gym every day of the week. Schedule 15 minutes of exercise before getting in the shower, or set up 30 minutes before bed to do yoga. For most days, try to get in 30 minutes of exercise, but give yourself an hour to really dial up the intensity two to three days a week. The unexpected will get in your way. When it does, try to stay the course and you may even end up doing more than you planned.

Last but not least, be present. Your body may be in the group exercise class, but if your mind is absent, your muscles will not engage as many muscle fibers. Give yourself a break from thoughts concerning your shop-ping list, errands, phone calls and emails. Be in the moment with each move your body makes. Focus on your form, squeeze the muscle you’re working slightly harder and try to relax and enjoy the time you have dedicated to yourself. That way, you can walk away from your workout rejuvenated.

I hope all of you continue your workouts over this season of celebration. It will help you ring in 2014 with a smile and help you forge ahead with new health goals in the New Year. ✽

HOLIDAY FITNESS 101: HOW TO STICK TO YOUR GOALS DURING THIS BUSY SEASON OF CELEBRATION

KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS TO YOUR WORKOUTS

AND YOUR COMMITMENTS

TO OTHERS, BUT DON’T OVER

PROMISE.

Bethany Reynolds with her daughter, Ally

Stay the Course

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/mo-monthegosanantonio.

BY BETHANY REYNOLDS


SUCCESS STORY

GROWING UP with parents struggling with their own weight issues, Sheri Lewin was no stranger to obesity. Overweight for most of her life, Lewin never saw herself as that big or that overweight. But she knew she wasn’t who she wanted to be.

Married for more than 23 years with four children, she got caught up in the typical mother syndrome: taking care of the kids, the house, the bills and any other task that came along, leaving very little room for herself. In addition to her daily demands, the family moved every two to three years due to her husband’s career, which also kept him away from home for long periods of time. It was easy to get caught up in the caretaker’s routine, but a turn of events two years ago changed everything.

Lewin learned her father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She and her husband made the decision to retire from the military and relocate near her parents to assist them. Her parents eventually moved in with them, and Lewin quickly learned that she was limited by her weight with the additional caretaking duties.

She attempted to workout several days a week for two hours a day with no results. Discour-aged with swollen knees and ankles, she knew

she needed to talk to a doctor to see what her options were.

After much serious thought, Lewin decided on weight-loss surgery. With pure determina-tion, she pressed forward after the surgery, mak-ing sure fitness was part of her daily routine, making time for herself and constantly changing her workouts, along with her eating habits.

“I’ve always had a bubbly personality … always happy and smiling, but I knew there was no better day than today to make a change that could save my life,” she said. “I have watched

my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles struggle with their weight all my life. They have had health problems, and I don’t want that for me. I want to be healthy for my family and be able to take care of them and not have them worried about me.”

In January 2013, Lewin’s father lost his battle to cancer. This has motivated her even more to continue her journey toward healthy living. She regularly attends Zumba and Body Pump classes. “Zumba classes have such a fun atmosphere, and everyone is having a good time and sweating like crazy,” she said. “Body Pump classes work muscles that most classes and even circuit machines don’t.”

Since her surgery, Lewin has lost more than 100 pounds and she has several accomplish-ments. “I got my first bikini in over 20 years!” she said. “I learned to wakeboard; I jumped off a 25-foot cliff; I can now run a mile-and-a-half; and [I participated in] a 5K this Septem-ber! I am the person I always thought I was. I love me again!”

Through her journey, Lewin has learned that regardless of her family demands and respon-sibilities, she needs to be committed to herself first. She has also learned that drastic weight

loss requires weight training to build back muscle tone. “You can’t count on the surgery to fix you,” she said. “You have to want to make the change, and making that change will lead to a new life. You have to be strong all the time and never give into temptation.” ✽

Lenore Kaiser is the wellness director and owner of Kaiser Medical Management. To learn more, call 1-800-764-0418 or visit www.kaiser-medicalmanagement.com.

Breaking the ChainHOW SHERI LEWIN BROKE THE FAMILY CHAIN OF OBESITY AND EMBARKED ON A LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY TO HEALTH AND FITNESS

BY LENORE KAISER

BEFORE AFTER

LEWIN HAS LEARNED THAT REGARDLESS OF HER FAMILY DEMANDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, SHE NEEDS TO

BE COMMITTED TO HERSELF FIRST.


NONPROFIT

Joining the FightUNDER THE UMBRELLA OF WOMEN IN MEDICINE AND LAW FOR THE CURE, PAINT THE PARKWAY PINK 2013 BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO

SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AT ITS ANNUAL 5K FAMILY FUN RUN.

PAINT THE PARKWAY PINK celebrated its second year of its annual 5K family fun run event supporting breast cancer awareness on Oct 19. “We were fortunate to have Itza Gutierrez hosting and encour-aging women to join the Mamo Club for regular checkups to detect early breast cancer signs,” says Dr. Jean Holt, founder of Women in Medicine and Law for the Cure.

Paint the Parkway Pink has a sincere goal in mind: to find a cure for breast cancer. This 5K run, held in Stone Oak, was newly formed to benefit Federal Susan G. Komen. The race was put together under the umbrella of Women in Medicine and Law for the Cure, a grassroots organization of women for the sole purpose of bringing two different occupations (and their friends) together to find a cure.

“Our dinner usually hosts guests such as the Federal Komen presi-dent,” Holt says. “We are certainly proud to have already exceeded the $1 million mark.”

Founding sponsors of the race include Holt, Andrea Duke of Alamo Tots, Diane Heiman, Jennifer Meachum of North Central Baptist Hos-pital, Liz Blue Braden, Jennifer Thompson and Kathy Fredrichsen with Baptist Breast Center.

“We want this event to grow and encourage runners, families and pets to join in our fight,” Braden says. “Please help us spread the word, and together, we can make a difference.”

Stay tuned for details about the third annual event in October 2014 to follow the annual dinner. ✽



EVENTS

ON SATURDAY, Sept. 14, Sarah Garza, San Antonio native and owner of Core Physique Pilates, opened the doors to San An-tonio’s premier Lagree fitness concept studio. Classes are conducted on the state-of-the-art Megaformer, created by Lagree Fitness, which was based upon the principles of Pilates.

Core Physique classes work the entire body in just 50 minutes! Simply put, this is the most innovative and aggressive approach to full-body conditioning. It is a high-octane, shirt-drenching workout that strengthens your body, tightens your muscles, elongates the body, burns fat, improves endurance, jump-starts your metabolism and restores your body’s natural balance.

“The reception to this workout in San Antonio has been amazing, and the feedback we have received has been so positive,” Garza says. “I, along with three incredible trainers, are teaching all of the classes, and after two months, we are receiving so many testimonials from our clients regarding the positive changes they are seeing in their bodies.”

With clientele increasing daily, most of

Garza’s business is building due to referrals. “Our clients are telling their friends and family and bringing in lots of new people eager to change their bodies,” she says. “Core’s conve-nient location next to Whole Foods is a huge draw, as well.”

Aspiring to initiate plans on a second studio in San Antonio – potentially in the Alamo Heights area – in 2014, Garza says, “the growth will come when I feel comfortable that I can manage everything and continue to pro-vide the best service possible to my clients while spending quality time with my family.”

The custom-designed classes at Core Phy-sique provide the necessary components for a real transformation, and they serve as the foun-dation for lifestyle changes that will inspire and improve your health, both physically and mentally. Live … sweat … love! ✽

For more information, call 210-896-1840, visit www.core-physique.com or stop by 18415 Blanco Road. Your first class is free.

Live, Sweat, LoveCORE PHYSIQUE PILATES OPENS ITS DOORS, PROVIDING SAN ANTONIANS WITH A CHANCE TO CHANGE BOTH THEIR BODIES AND THEIR LIVES.

BY KELLY HAMILTON


“THE RECEPTION TO THIS WORKOUT IN SAN ANTONIOHAS BEEN AMAZING”


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