|
Don’t Let Summer Slow You Down
Group fitness one way to stay motivated
Click here to view this story as it appeared in the Morganton News Herald (Includes additional graphics and information) in pdf format.
BY ANNA WILSON
BLUE RIDGE HEALTHCARE
 MORGANTON - Getting a workout indoors should not be boring, and Phifer Wellness Center has just the thing to spice up any workout routine.
Phifer offers a variety of group fitness classes. “Working out with a group of people can help you stay motivated,” said Debbie Knight, director of Phifer Wellness Center.
“To invigorate your workouts, try yoga or Pilates for an excellent stretching routine, kickboxing or boot camp for some intensity, or add a new flare to your routine with line dancing,” said Charlotte Eidson, program coordinator and massage therapist at Phifer Wellness Center.
For those worried about joint pain or suffering from arthritis, Phifer offers several classes.
“If you’re looking for a great workout but less impact on your joints, try our variety of aquatic classes including water aerobics, arthritis aquatics and fibromyalgia aquatics,” Eidson said. “The structured schedule, excellent skilled instruction and camaraderie within all of our group fitness classes will help keep you coming back for more.”
Many Phifer members have found exercise success with these classes.
“After having years of aching joints, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, my physician referred me to the Phifer Wellness Center,” said Phifer member Shirley Merrill.
“This month marks my one-year anniversary of being involved in water aerobics. This experience has helped me manage my pain, develop balance, flexibility, strength training techniques and lots of fellowship and fun. I have lost 20 pounds, lowered my cholesterol and blood pressure,” she said.
Merrill is not the only member experiencing success.
“My life has changed since I have started coming to PWC,” said Bonnie Hunt. “I feel so much better and have more strength and energy. My arthritis and back pain are better, and I have more flexibility. My favorite exercise is water aerobics. I get a work out and we have so much fun.
Hunt’s bone density tests have shown improvement and her cholesterol numbers have gone down.
“The staff is so friendly and ready to help us with any problem or need,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have Phifer Wellness Center here.”
An indoor facility like Phifer enables members to exercise for longer periods of time, and provides cross-training benefits.
“If group fitness isn’t your thing, we have a wide variety of weight training equipment, cardiovascular-fitness equipment, racquetball and swimming,” Eidson said. “Also, our exercise physiologists are available to help you get the greatest cross-training effect from all of these activities free with a membership.”
Phifer recently upgraded its cardiovascular fitness equipment by acquiring nine new treadmills, four recumbent bicycles and two upright bicycles.
“A new feature on the treadmills is cruise control,” Knight said. “You set it to keep pace for a certain length of time.”
By working out indoors during summer’s high temperatures, members can stay hydrated and away from the sun’s damaging rays.
“It’s very important to be aware of how heat and humidity affect the body,” Eidson said. “As the heat index rises, outdoor athletes are much more susceptible to dehydration, which combined with an increase in body temperature, could lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
OPEN HOUSE: Phifer Wellness Center will be holding a Group Fitness Open House on Monday, June 5, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To attend the open house, you must be 18 years or age or 13 years or older accompanied by a parent.
To search for information on a variety of health topics including Phifer Wellness Center, please visit our web site at www.blueridgehealth.org.
ANNA WILSON is a writer and graphic artist in Blue Ridge HealthCare’s Marketing and Public Relations Department.
Phifer Open House
Here is the schedule of free classes and demonstrations that will be held during the open house on June 5.
8am - 8:45am On the Ball
A class devoted to complete body conditioning incorporating low-impact cardiovascular exercises, strength training, stability training and core (abdominal) training using the stability (Swiss) balls.
9am - 10am Water Aerobics
Water exercises that provide cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and change of body composition. Great for beginner or advanced. Different levels of fitness shown. Classes may incorporate water noodle, aquatic steps, and foam dumbbells for varied workouts
10am - 11am Arthritis Aquatics
Exercises to help maintain normal joint movement, relieve stress, or restore flexibility and movement if it has been lost. A great place for beginners to start!
11am - 12 noon Fibromyalgia Aquatics
Supervised systematic exercise program utilizing flotation devices formatted for participants diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. This class is also a great strength training and cardiovascular workout with no impact on joint or muscle.
12noon - 1pm Water Aerobics
Same as above.
4pm - 4:30pm On the Ball Demo
A demonstration devoted to body conditioning incorporating low-impact cardiovascular exercises, strength training, stability training and core (abdominal) training using the stability (Swiss) balls.
4:45 - 5:45pm Weights and Abs
Upper/lower body conditioning for all muscle groups with abdominal exercises. A great way to strength train total body and target fabulous abs.
5:45 - 6:15pm Yoga Demo
This class incorporates breathing, stretching, relaxation, and focusing on inner-self for therapeutic mind and body conditioning.
6:15 - 6:45pm Kickboxing Demo
A great cardiovascular and power conditioning class for all exercisers. Learn to box, kick, move, and sweat.
6:45 - 7:15pm Step Demo
This cardiovascular class incorporates step/strength training and various moves to provide you with a total aerobic and toning workout.
7:15 - 7:45pm Boot Camp Demo
Intense cardiovascular and strength training for the intense athlete. Exercises may include high and low impact, body weight exercises and more.
7:45 - 8:15pm Line Dancing
Learn dance-steps of different types with different styles of music as a group, partners not needed. Lots of fun and new energy to add to your existing exercise routine.
Cancer Survivors Gather to Celebrate
BY ANNA WILSON
BLUE RIDGE HEALTHCARE
MORGANTON - Mardi Gras is the theme for this year’s National Cancer Survivors Day on June 4 at Sypris Park.
Just as New Orleans survived a devastating storm, so too, do Burke County residents survive the devastation that can come with a cancer diagnosis.
And just like Mardi Gras, National Cancer Survivors Day is a day to celebrate, to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.
“On National Cancer Survivors Day, we will honor cancer survivors who are living with and beyond cancer and we recognize the healthcare professionals who are helping to fight the battle,” said Jan Hollar, Blue Ridge HealthCare’s Cancer Care Coordinator. “We decided to choose a fun theme in order to make our event different each year. We all dress to fit the theme and our attendees can wear costumes, too, if they want.”
The Oncology Staff at Blue Ridge HealthCare Cancer Center sponsor the free event, where cancer survivors may bring a guest and enjoy lunch and entertainment.
“We define a cancer survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer - from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life,” Hollar said. “It’s a celebration but also a time to bring attention to the issues and unique problems that cancer survivors face.”
Although major advances made in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment have resulted in longer survival, cancer can still leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, emotional and financial hardships often persist for years after diagnosis and treatment. Survivors may face many challenges including access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, denial of health and life insurance coverage, financial hardships long after the initial diagnosis and treatment, employment problems, psychological struggles and the strain on personal relationships and the profound fear of recurrence.
“However, cancer survivors can live active, productive lives even though they still face many challenges,” Hollar said.
One such survivor, Susan Fetner of Morganton, will be part of the program this year. She and two friends - Nolita Wacaster and Eve Agee - will be providing entertainment in the form of “The Carolina Dillies - Modene, Jolene and Darlene.”
“The Carolina Dillies are three first cousins,” Fetner said. “They’re quilting ladies and they take frequent road trips together.”
In honor of the Mardi Gras theme, Fetner and friends came up with a skit featuring a road trip to New Orleans to see a Susan G. Komen Quilt Show.
“Some of the things we do in the skit actually happened to us as some point on a road trip,” Fetner said. “We have a lot of fun.”
Fetner and Agee are cancer survivors. Fetner had breast cancer and Agee had thyroid cancer. Since her diagnosis, Fetner is active with cancer-related events often as a guest speaker where she uses humor as medicine.
“I believe that 60 percent of the cancer battle is mental,” she said. “It’s important to see the humor. Laughter truly is the best medicine.”
In addition to the Carolina Dillies, the Frank Love Orchestra will perform Dixieland jazz in honor of the theme.
“Knowledge, hope and inspiration can help beat cancer,” Hollar said. “And there’s no better place to find it than at a National Cancer Survivors Day event. We hope you will join us in celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day and show your support for cancer survivors, their families, friends and healthcare providers.”
To ATTEND NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY: National Cancer Survivors Day will be held Sunday, June 4, 2006, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sypris Park, formerly Dana Park, behind G&G Art and Frame. The event is free and lunch will be provided. To RSVP by or on June 1, call
The second largest employer in Burke County, Blue Ridge HealthCare serves a four-county area and includes Grace and Valdese hospitals, Blue Ridge Home HealthCare, Grace Heights and College Pines Health & Rehabilitation Centers, Grace Ridge Retirement Community, Phifer Wellness Center and a number of physician practices.
|