December 2011 Health Line

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado D ecember 15, 2011 1

Give the Gift Gift of

FitnessFitness

CLEAR

Post-Workout

Holiday Weight Loss:

Yes, it's possible.

Plan: How to help your body recover

Intentions: Meth Awareness in Loveland

2 Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado D ecember 15, 2011

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Health insurance: When they won’t pay....... pg. 12Uncommon Sense: Deal breakers ............... pg. 15The Healthy Plate .......................................... pg. 18Breakfast mistakes you might be making.... pg. 22Loveland health briefs .................................. pg. 25Loveland health calendar ............................. pg. 26

Health Line of NorthernColorado is a monthly

publication produced by theLoveland Daily Reporter-Herald. The information

provided in this publication isintended for personal, non-commercial, informational

and entertainment purposesonly and does not constitute arecommendation or endorse-

ment with respect to anycompany, product,

procedure or activity. Youshould seek the advice of aprofessional regarding your

particular situation.

For advertisinginfor mation,

contact:Linda Story,

advertising director:970-635-3614

For editorialinformation, contact:

Jade Cody,special sections associate editor:

970-635-3656jcody@r eporter-herald.com

Summer Stair,specialty publications editor:

[email protected]

also inside

20

R e c ov e r

How to help yourbody recover afterstrenuous workouts

Page 8

contents

ClearIntentions:G ro u praises metha w a re n e s sin Loveland

PAG E

Jess No Less

Start the new yearoff right with

healthy goals

Page 10

Health in a Handbasket

The battle of willpower:Win over your will in 2012

Page 14

Action-X

Athleticc o m p a nyexpands itsreach inL ove l a n d

Page 11

The Gift of Fitness

Local gift ideas forfitness enthusiasts

Page 4


G i vethe Giftof Fitness

Presents for thefitness enthusiaston your listComplied by Summer Stair, Reporter-Herald

EVERLAST ADVANCEDPRO STYLE TRAINING GLOVES

If you want to fight like a pro,you have to train like a pro. Madeof synthetic leather, the Pro Stylegloves are built to promote prop-er punching technique, with fullpadding on the front and back ofthe wrist that conforms to thenatural shape of your fist.

$29.99 at Jax Outdoor Gear inL oveland

CEP COMPRESSIONRUNNING SOCKS

Keep the runner inyour life injury freewith compressionsocks. Not only do theyhelp prevent fatigue inmuscles during exer-cise by increasingblood flow, but theycan help recover froman injury quicker.Available in white,black and pink.

$60.00 at 3X Fast inL oveland

SWIMMING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Choose from the many differentornaments to find one perfect for theswimmer in your life.

$8 at MI Sports in Loveland


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North ShoreHealth &Rehab FacilitySkilled Nursing ��

TheWexfordIndependent Living��

LakeviewCommonsAssisted Living ��

THE GRID REVOLUTIONARYFOAM ROLLER AND COREWORKOUT DVDS

The Grid Revolutionary Foamroller and core workout dvdsfrom TP Therapy are a great giftfor any fitness level.

$45 Foam Roller; $50 for foamroller and one dvd; $80 for foamroller and three dvds; $20individual dvds. All availableat 3X Fast in Loveland.

THE BUNGEE STRAPFROM PHILO

Get more efficient withThe Bungee Strap — anelastic cord goggle strap.Perfect size for the stock-ing.

$6 at MI Sports inLoveland

GIFTS FROM VALEOThis year it’s all about the core and the tools

you can utilize to get in shape. Choose from theResistance Tube, Ab Wheel, Body Ball or YogaKit, which includes two foam blocks, a webbedstrap belt, nylon tote bag and non-slip mat. Allfrom Valeo.

$7.99 Resistance Tube; $14.99 Ab Wheel;$19.99 Body Ball; $34.99 Yoga Kit. All availableat Jax Outdoor Gear in Loveland.


Fit GiftsCraig HillMcClatchy Newspapers

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between late-night fit-ness commercials and Saturday Night Live.

Shake Weight ads look like dirty jokes that are impossible to de-scribe in this family publication. Commercials for The Rack looklike meatheads stunt-riding an old woman’s walker.

If you’re looking to buy fitness equipment as a Christmas gift, it’sprobably not a good idea to go the late-night route unless you’reshopping for a gag gift.

Here are some better ideas for giving the gift of fitness.

A WORKOUT PARTNERSometimes all people need to launch a healthy workout routine

is a partner to stand with them as they face the fear of the un-known. Workout classes, the weight room and even the lockerroom can be intimidating if you aren’t used to them. By offeringyourself as a workout partner these fears will get easier for both ofyou. Also, there’s nothing like a partner to keep you motivatedwhether it’s getting to the gym or doing one more rep. The bestpart about this gift: It’s free and you get to enjoy it too.

Free, except for the time you put in

SUPREME 90 DAYThis workout program feels a lot like the wildly popular P90X

program (right down to instructor Tom Holland’s uncanny resem-blance to P90X instructor Tony Horton). The program follows thesame “muscle confusion” idea but has shorter workouts. The work-outs move faster and the program is only a fraction of the cost ofP90X, which sells for $120 plus shipping and handling.

$27, supreme90day.com

TRX SUSPENSION TRAINEROne of the hottest trends in the fitness world, the TRX suspen-

sion trainer has a pair of straps you can attach to the ceiling or doorjam to use for strength and cardio training. Simply grab the handlesfor balance while doing squats. Lean over the handles to dopushups. Lean back to do rows. TRX straps are kind of pricey at$190, and the door anchor is sold separately for $25 at www.trxtraining.com so a cheaper route might be taking a class, which runbetween $10-$20.

$190, trxtraining.com

PERSONAL TRAININGA good personal trainer can help you with anything from

working out with injuries to making sure you are getting the mostout of your workouts to inspiring you to push a little harder thanyou might on your own. Shop around, however, to make sure thetrainer you hire is certified and has a personality that meshes withyours or your gift recipient.

$40 per hour or more, various locations

FIT BY NATURESeattle-based fitness guru John Colver has developed a 12-week

workout program that takes place outside. Sure, it’s cold and wetthis time of year, but Colver insists that not only will you get usedto the inclement weather but it won’t be long before you enjoythese days.

$25, mountaineersbooks.org

Think outside the boxwhen giving fitness

Giving the gift of being a workout partner can be thegreatest gift of all.

Inspire with the gift of a personal trainer.


YO G A

Yoga is an excellent way to keep your body flexible, wardoff injuries, release stress and get a good workout. Yoga stu-dios offer everything from traditional classes to hot yoga. Al-most all of these studios offer special starter packages, somefor as a little as $10.

$10 and up, various locations

PAIN RELIEVERS

California-based Do or Die Fitness has developed a set ofergonomic foam cushions designed to make working outless painful. Wrist wedges ($20) are designed to reduce pres-sure on your wrists while doing pushups. A neck circle ($10)helps align your spine for any exercises on your back. Anddonut shaped cushions ($20) reduce pressure for exerciseswhen you are on your knees. The complete set is $45.

$10-45, dodfitness.com

THE BOD POD

A body composition test is a good way to help you set re-alistic goals. A test will tell you your body fat percentage aswell as your lean body mass. Most tests will also come withan analysis of how often and how hard you will need toworkout and how many calories you should eat to reach aparticular goal. A Bod Pod test simply requires you to sit stillfor a minute in a large egg-shaped devise while the test is ad-minister ed.

$30-40, MultiCare (253-459-6999) or bodylogic.cc

ELASTIC BANDS

Elastic bands are less expensive than workout machinesand they provide most of the same benefits and some addi-tional ones like increased resistance through your range ofmotion. Bands come in a variety of styles and resistance butthey can be used to strengthen any part of your body.

$10 and up, any sporting goods store

Yoga will not only help the recipient get in bettershape, but it help ward off injuries and help relievestress.

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Recover.Recover.Post-exercise habits helpbody recover, avoid injuryand improve gains

Kendall SchoemannRepor ter-Herald

The last exhale of breath is released as a waterfall ofsweat flows down his face. His heartbeat echoesthroughout his head as he finishes the last mile of the

workout. As endorphins kick in and success is achieved, hemakes an all too common mistake and immediately picks uphis bag and leaves the gym.

While a post-workout triumph is an incredible feeling ofaccomplishment, many exercisers hinder potential results bynot completing an adequate post-workout regime. By takingthe extra time to tend to the body after a workout, exerciserswill gain more results, avoid injury and improve health.

Brad Sawatzky, fitness director at Orchard Athletic Club inLoveland, said a post-workout routine is essential in deter-mining how quickly the body will recover.

“A proper cool down, thorough stretch and healthy mealwill help the muscles to re-energize and avoid unnecessaryinjuries,” Sawatzky said.

When considering a post-workout routine, each element isessential in optimizing exercise results and improving musclestrength. Adding five to 10 minutes to a workout routine willdrastically improve the body’s ability to build muscle and re-c o v e r.

COOL DOWNCooling down immediately after cardio helps transition the

heart rate from high intensity to a resting rate and relaxes themuscles.

“A five minute cool down allows the body to push out themuscle’s biotoxins,” Sawatzky said. “Without a cool down,those fibers will remain in the muscle and cause soreness.”

A cool down can be any form of exercise that is performedat a slower rate than the previous workout and transitions thebody to a state of rest.

“Cooling down can be as simple as a speed walk,” saidChad Bryant, supervising personal trainer at MiramontLifestyle Fitness in Loveland. “It should last as long as it takesto bring the heart down to a resting rate.”

Once the body has slowly moved to rest, the muscles needto be worked to reduce the chance of injury.


7 Reasons tokeep stretching• Decreases muscle stiffness andincreases range of motion.• May reduce your risk of injury. Aflexible muscle is less likely to becomeinjured from a slightly extensivemovement.• Helps relieve post-exercise aches andpains.• Improves posture. Stretching themuscles of the lower back, shouldersand chest will help keep your back inbetter alignment.• Helps reduce or manage stress. Wellstretched muscles hold less tension.• Enhances muscular relaxation. Habitu-ally tense muscles tend to cut off theirown circulation resulting in a lack ofoxygen and essential nutrients.• Promotes circulation. Stretching in-creases blood supply to the muscles andjoints which allow for greater nutrienttransportation and improves the circula-tion of blood through the entire body.

S T R E TC HThree minutes of stretching directly after a

workout will help the muscles recover quickly.“Everyone should spend at least three

minutes on stretching,” Bryant said. “Makesure to cover the quads, hamstrings,shoulders, chest and triceps.”

Stretching gives the musclestime to relax.

“I recommend static stretchingto elongate the muscles,”Sawatzky said. “This will increasethe range of motion.”

Lastly, hydrating the muscles isvital for full recovery.

H Y D R AT EAt no time should the body not be consuming water. Before,

during and after a workout the body needs to hydrate, quenchand replenish lost water levels.

“Muscles are pretty much made up of water,” Bryant said.“Hydrating keeps the muscles healthy and strong.”

Drink water during a workout to replenish what the bodysweats out, and keep hydrating throughout the day.

E ATThe post-workout element that most exercisers ignore, is a

healthy meal.“Nine out of 10 times, my clients are at the gym with a goal to

lose weight,” Bryant said. “So they think they will lose more weightif they don’t eat for a long time after a workout, which is just nottrue.”

According to Bryant, the best way to lose weight is to keep thebody adequately fueled and hydrated after a workout.

“Think of food as fuel for the body,” Bryant said. “If you don’teat for awhile after exercising, the body is going to save the nextmeal for survival, which increases fat stores and muscle loss.”

Sawatzky recommends eating awhole meal instead of a protein shake.

“Whole foods are easiest to digest,”Sawatzky said. “Meals should consistof carbohydrates and protein andavoid fat.”

After exercise, the muscle’s glucoselevels, or the way it keeps energy, arelow. Consuming a balanced meal ofcarbohydrates and protein will replen-ish muscles.

“I recommend meals such as fruit,pasta, bagels with peanut butter, milk and turkey sandwiches,”Bryant said.

Because the body can only absorb 40 grams of protein at a time,targeting large amounts of protein is unnecessary.

The time period to ingest a meal post-workout is approximately30 minutes.

“Eating between 30 to 60 minutes is ideal,” Sawatzky said.Regardless of an exerciser’s fitness goals, taking care of the

body and replenishing lost water and energy levels is critical inmaintaining a healthy, injury free body and achieving more resultsfrom cardio and strength training.


HL Jess No Less

Jessica BenesRepor ter-Herald

I lost weight this year because I investedin personal training at Orchard’s AthleticCenter with my favorite trainer Brad;

checked out the Firm Body Boot Camp atthe Outlet mall with my sister; employedvarious diets that followed the same themeof lean meats and vegetables and tried tostay active and watched what I ate. I hadtimes of lows, where I gave up all pretenseof eating well because of my love for greaseand carbs, and highs where I made arenewed commitment to the cause.

I made a new resolution Dec. 1 to losethe rest of my goal weight by January’s is-sue of Health Line. I am taking this plunge,not to gain pounds this Christmas seasonlike I usually do, but to reach last year’sresolution goal in time for the new yearr esolution.

Visit my blog at http://jessicabenes.blogspot.com to read about my dailyprogress. I also encourage readers to begintheir own blogs to document the journey.Start a healthy lifestyle change the day thisissue comes out and make a one-monthcommitment until the next issue. Let meknow if you do so, and I’ll read what youwrite. I might even include your commentsin my next column.

Jude Starks, R.Ph., Certified HealthCoach, gave me some great tips on how tostay motivated at holiday parties to limitcalorie intake.

• Have a clear goal of your plan beforeyou walk in the door. “One of the thingsthat happens is people don’t do any kind ofplanning. They go to the party, look it overand graze,” Starks said.

• Go to the party full. Eat a healthy mealbefor ehand.

• Drink lots of water all day long. Starkssaid that in the winter people stay inside,breathe the same air and dehydrate faster.

• If you think you’re going to eat carbo-hydrates at the party, abstain from bread

and sugar during the day.• Understand your triggers and avoid

them. “Triggers are huge during the holi-days. They are things that you always ate ata past event and make you feel happy afteryou eat it. That is, until you try your pantson the next day,” Starks said.

• Find the healthier items on the table.Maybe it’s a vegetable tray or a meat andcheese platter. Load up on vegetables and asmall amount of meat.

• Start with sparkling waterand lime in a cocktail glass. Itlooks like vodka tonic and noone will think you’re notdrinking with them. “Alcoholis dense in calories and willquickly raise blood sugar andpack on the pounds,” Starkssaid. “The more you drink al-cohol, the more you don’t lis-ten to your brain about food.”

• If the party includes a full

meal, understand that a portion size shouldbe that of a salad plate. Half the plateshould be vegetables or a little fruit, a quar-ter should be protein and a quarter shouldbe starch.

• Dancing will burn a lot of calories. Ordo something active after the party like gofor a 30-minute walk with your dog.

For a free health assessment, emailJude Starks at [email protected].

HealthfulH o l i d ayStay on track duringthe holiday season

“Alcohol is dense in caloriesand will quickly raiseblood sugar and

pack on the pounds.The more you drink alcohol,the more you don’t listen toyour brain about food.”

— Jude Starks, R.Ph., Certified Health Coach

Jessica Benes is a newsroomreporter and writer for theLoveland Reporter-Herald. Thiscolumn is meant to encouragepeople struggling with healthyeating and weight loss by offeringadvice from experts and sharingher own progress. Contact Benesat [email protected].

Jess No Less


Reporter-Herald/Steve StonerRocky Mountain High School juniorCale O'Donnell, 16, front, does ahigh-intensity circuit workout withAction-X Sports Fitness director ofsports performance Kris Ringwall.

Action-X SportsFitness director ofsports performanceKris Ringwall, right,and trainer BrianneBailey, top, assistFort Collins HighSchool senior J.D.Hammer, left, andRocky Mountain ju-nior Cale O'Donnellduring a high-in-tensity circuitworkout.

Repor ter-Herald/Steve Stoner

If You GoWhat: Action-X Sports Fitness.Wher e: 6760 N. Franklin Ave., Loveland.Phone/email: 593-3278 or action-x.net.

ActionXAthletic company expands its reachMadeline NoveyRepor ter-Herald

Nick Reese’s foray into the businessof athletics started with a guineapig.

More accurately, Reese was a guinea pigfor exercise physiologist John Frappier,who is credited with development of theoriginal athletic acceleration training pro-gram based upon his study of how Russianathletes trained in the mid- to late-1980s.

So for three years, the Minnesota athleteran on treadmills (among other exercises)and gave blood samples to nurses who inturn tested for levels of resulting lactic acid,the chemical compound released duringexercise that helps the body generate ener-gy.

But today, more than 20 years after thesestudies, Reese owns and operates his ownathletic training facility and equipment pro-duction company in Loveland.

The business has evolved several timessince its birth in 2004 — then known asMaximum Performance — and has become

two separate but related entities, Action-XSports Fitness and Perform-X Training Sys-tems.

Sometime between 2006 and 2007, Reeseand business partner Kris Ringwall de-signed the company’s first unique, high-speed treadmill. Then they expanded de-sign and production to resistance cord sys-tems and other machines they say fosterproper biomechanics.

And on March 1, the duo moved bothbranches into a business park in northLoveland, 6760 N. Franklin Ave.

Reese and Ringwall have since met na-tionwide with people with dozens of healthclubs, high schools, colleges and profes-sional sports teams, including the San Fran-cisco 49ers and Denver Nuggets, to selltheir equipment and train athletes using theAction-X model

But this time, in the new location, theyare trying to quash the perception that Ac-tion-X is only for hard-core athletes.

Action-X (and Perform-X) can work forany person of any skill level, the duo said,with added confidence from those whotrain.

“I think it’s definitely worth it, if you’renot a die-hard athlete,” said Jonna Leyrer,20, a former competitive softball player andrecreational athlete who has trained at theAction-X gym for five years. Even Leyrer’smother, who’s almost 50, enjoys the work-outs, she said.

“I had never seen anything like whatthey offer,” Leyrer said of the specially de-signed equipment. Her favorite and least fa-vorite machine is the treadmill, which offersa ground-like resistance and can push run-ners at speeds of 30 mph.

Oliva Wagner, 20, originally of Boulder,plays soccer for the University of Maryland-College Park and trains at Action-X whenshe comes home for breaks.

Having played soccer since she was 4 or5, Wagner considered herself to be in goodshape. But her first Action-X workout lefther exhausted.

“It was probably the hardest workoutI’ve ever done, but I was also really excitedabout what it would do,” she said. “I wouldsee myself progressing just about everyweek, based on the tests.”

She too recommended that athletes ofany age or skill level take a look at Action-Xand Perform-X.

“If want to get more toned, or fitter, morehealthy, they’ll do what you want, insteadof just having one program for everyone,”she said.

Over time, Reese and Ringwall plan toexpand the Perform-X equipment intomore area gyms. And with the increased in-terest in performance-based workouts suchas P90X and fitness bootcamps, they willcontinue to promote their unique brand ofcircuit-interval, station-style training.

“We ’re changing the mindset of howpeople are working out, but on an extremelevel,” Ringwall said.

Madeline Novey can be reachedat 970-669-5050, ext. 516, ormnovey@r eporter-herald.com.


Summer StairRepor ter-Herald

Most people are surprised when ahealth insurance claim is denied.It’s hard not to wonder why a

specific procedure was not covered. But,wait, just because you get a denial letter

doesn’t mean the procedure is notcover ed.

Erin Moaratty, chief ofexternal communica-

tions for the Patient Advocate Foundation,said a denial simply means the insurancecompany isn’t going to pay for it, but thatthere are several different reasons of whythat could be. “It could not be a coveredbenefit, the insurance company may needmore documentation or maybe preautho-rization for the specific procedure wasneeded,” Moaratty said. “First, you need tounderstand what the denial is.”

Moaratty said consumers need to reviewthe denial claim and completely under-stand what it is saying and why the claimwas denied. On the form they should alsobe able to find the appeal process and atimeline of when this needs to occur. It isimportant to follow the timeline and stepsoutlined by the insurance company.“Know what they are saying and whatkind of documentation you need to appealthis. You will then write a concrete appealletter and since this is a business transac-tion keep it factual, not emotional,”Moaratty explained.

Melody Irvine, a medical consultant forCareer Coders in Loveland, said that statis-tics show that more than 50 percent of the

When they won’t payDealing with adenied health

insurance claim

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claims denied can be reversed. When a claim is denied, Irvine rec-ommended for consumers to get on the phone with all parties in-volved and find out where the problem occurred. “Sometimes ittakes a lot of work and investigation on the consumers end but it isworth it,” Irvine said. “It is a lot harder to get the money back, thento pay it first and then research.”

Both Irvine and Moaratty said the best thing for consumers todo is to know their health insurance coverage before getting anyprocedure done. Irvine said it is also important to keep the linesof communication open between the patient and doctor. Alwaysbe clear about the specific procedure, and how it is being docu-mented and billed.

When a denial claim is received, one of the best resources tohelp consumers understand what is being said is the physician’soffice. “This is the best resource, “ Irvine says. “The physician’s of-fice has everything in front of them. Investigate it here first andthen go to the insurance company.”

For further support, advocate groups such as the Patient Advo-cate Foundation can help consumers understand the procedureand guide them through it. “I think that if they find it challengingto seek help and have that support,” Moaratty said. “It is great tohave someone that is on your side when you are going throughthis.”

So when a denial claim is received just remember to doublecheck all of the paperwork received up to that point. “Know yourbenefits; know what is covered and what is not,” Irvine says. “Justbecause you received a bill doesn’t mean it is right. Always doublecheck everything.”

“Know your benefits.

Just because you received abill doesn’t mean it is right.

Always double check everything.”

— Melody Irvine,medical consultant


HL Health in a Handbasket

Will I Am.

Jade CodyRepor ter-Herald

My friend Will and I fight every sin-gle day. Mr. Power and I are al-ways deciding on when to go to

the gym, how much Charles in Charge istoo much Charles in Charge, and whether acheese and roast beef plate is the rightchoice for both lunch and dinner (it is).

Will I, or won’t I? It is my daily battle.It’s little rudimentary things — such as re-

sisting the urge to break out in my FlashDance routine during work meetings, andit’s big things — like exercising at least fourtimes every week, even if the dog ate myjump rope.

Mr. Power is slick as a fox, a mind controlextortionist of grand measure. He is insideall of our heads, whispering at us that weshould relax on the couch and work out lat-er, have a beer or two and work out later ...and then later not work out because there isanother later that is the best later of all.

And I tell that man ‘no’ like he’s a 5-year-old in the cereal aisle. My reasoning for ex-ercising, eating right or doing healthy typethings always seems less convenient, lessfun and less right than Will’s ideas, but af-terward, it feels worth every effort.

So how can I make Will and Grace live inharmony? How do I take the struggle out ofconsistently getting motivated to wear gymshorts?

Bryce Moeder, a personal trainer atGold’s Gym in Loveland, gave me some in-sight into his take on willpower and howhe helps clients stay motivated, particularlypeople new to working out who want toresolve to get into shape in 2012.

Moeder cited Newton’s Law of Motion:Objects in motion tend to stay in motion.

“Once we get our bodies into the habit ofgoing forward in our exercise regiment, it ismuch easier to keep that momentum,” hesaid.

It takes roughly 21 to 90 days to turn aroutine into a habit, he said.

“Unfortunately, exercise tends to lead

towards the latter. It usually takes aboutthree months to turn our new routine ofgoing to the gym into a habit.”

But once that fitness train horn is blow-ing, getting to the gym is that much easier.You start seeing results, getting positivefeedback and feeling those magical work-out endorphins that gym rats and bunniescrave.

“It may seem like an eternity at first, butwhen taken in perspective, three months isreally not that long at all. Be diligent andpatient and before you know it, your newroutine will feel like such a habit that youcannot begin to even imagine your lifewithout it,” he said.

“I suggest making yourself go to the gymor engaging in some form of exercise aminimum of one hour at a time and a mini-mum of four days per week. If you are get-ting into the gym four days per week, yourbody is beginning to adjust to the idea ofworking out more days in the week thandays you are not.”

If your New Year’s resolution happens tobe getting fit, take these additional tips fromMoeder:

WORK OUT EARLY“If you are using willpower

to make yourself get to the gymfirst thing in the morning, youare doing it well before youhave had the opportunity toempty your willpower reservoirfor the day,” he said.

TAKE OUT THE TRASH“Take inventory of unneces-

sary choices you face through-out the day that require

willpower to overcome,” he said. “Sure, thatdonut on the counter looks delicious andwould be a quick-fix option for breakfaston the way out the door.” But if you re-move it, you remove the decision to not eatit, and the willpower gauge doesn’t move inthe direction of empty.

CHANGE IT UP

“When you are in the gym, varying yourroutine is critical,” Moeder said. “Doing theexact same routine day-in and day-out is arecipe for failure. You will become boredwith your mundane approach to workingout and be much more likely to lose thebattle with your willpower.”

TRY A PERSONAL TRAINER

Yo u ’ll gain motivation and accountability,and you will have expert knowledge back-ing your workout plan.

GIVE IT THREE MONTHS

This is enough time to make it a routineand start revealing dramatic results inmood, energy, confidence, body appear-ance and overall well-being.

Health in a Handbasket

Health in a Handbasketis a monthly feature in whichI try a write about health-related topics. If you havean idea for a new topic,write to me atjcody@r eporter-herald.com.

Get in shape andstay that way withmotivation tips


HL Uncommon Sense

DealB r e a ke rBeth Firestein, licensed therapistFor the Reporter-Herald

Question: My girlfriend and I havebeen together for three years. Sheis always commenting that shewants to get married, but I only

see her three or four times every twoweeks. I have a daughter who lives withme every other week, and my girlfriendalmost refuses to spend any time with mewhen my daughter is there. She says shedoesn’t want to hurt my daughter if wedon’t work out. I feel like we’re growingfurther and further apart, and that if shecan’t be close to my daughter now, we cannever really get to the point of marriage inthe future. I’m thinking of moving on. Whatdo you think?

Answer: It sounds like you have alreadyanswered your own question. You seem tobe clear that you and your daughter are apackage deal. Although your relationshipwith your girlfriend is really good in a lot ofways, there are some issues for every per-son in a relationship that I would call “dealbr eakers”.

Deal breakers are things that you knowfor a fact you cannot live within an impor-tant relationship, such as a marriage or ro-mantic partnership. For most people, deal-breakers are things like physical, emotionalor sexual abuse by their partner directed atyou or anyone in your household (such asa child). For many people a deal breaker isa partner’s addiction to alcohol or drugs,chronic unemployment and inability tocontribute to the family in a substantiveway, or, as in your situation, an untenablesituation between your girlfriend and yourchild.

It is certainly better to identify any dealbreakers before progressing to a new levelof commitment. It is also your responsibilityto communicate to your girlfriend whatyour deal breakers are. If you really care forher and value the relationship, you certain-ly want to give her the opportunity to re-spond to these issues before reaching theconclusion that you have to break up.

Deal breakers can certainly arise or reacha critical point even after a commitment ismade. This is especially messy and painfulfor both partners and any children in-volved. Be clear and courageous and don’tcompromise your fundamental valuesabout your daughter to accommodate arelationship that you can see will really notwork at a deeper level of commitment.

Question: I’m 30-years-old, marriedand going back to paramedicschool so I can be a firefighter.

Most people my age are already establishedin their careers and making good moneyand I’m just starting. How do I not feel badabout being behind?

Answer: I honestly don’t think you are“behind”. An enormous number of peopledon’t even begin to train for a meaningfulcareer they until they arein their 30s and beyond.In particular, jobs thatrequire specializedtraining are frequentlychosen after the usu-al post high schoolor post college time-lines.

Advanced andspecialized education,whether technical,mechanical, liberalarts or emergency

intervention occupations (EMTs and fire-fighters among these) frequently require adegree of life experience and maturity thatmost 24 year olds don’t yet have.

While it may be true that people in yoursocial circle are already settled into jobs andcareers, keep in mind that these may ormay not be rewarding to them and many ofyour peers are going to change jobs or goback to school at older adult ages to get in-to work that pays better or work that theyfeel passionate about.

If you have already found your calling,you are actually rather ahead of the game.You have a long working life ahead of you.Even if it takes a couple of years to get thetraining and credentials you need to get thejob you truly want to have, this is time in-vested, not wasted. Good for you for mak-ing the courageous move of going back toschool to train for a career you truly desire.

Uncommon Sense

with Beth Firestein

Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed psychologist.She has 24 years of therapy experience andhas practiced in Loveland for over 14 years.She may be reached by calling her office at970-635-9116, via e-mail [email protected], or by visitingw w w. b e t h f i re s t e i n . c o m .


Alison JohnsonM c C l a t c h y-Tr i b u n e

Especially in a tough economy, “it’sunbelievable how many peoplestruggle with trying to feel happy at

work,” said Ellen Golding, a psychologistbased in Los Angeles. Her tips:

Don’t isolate: Walk around and greetco-workers and attend staff lunches andoffice parties, even if you have to forceyourself.

Be positive: Don’t constantly vent aboutproblems in the office or at home. Find at

least one co-worker who is generallyupbeat to hang around.

Allow more time in the morning: Ifyou’re rushing to leave home, you’ll arriveat work already stressed. Build at least15-minute cushion into your commute.

Change self-talk: Practice turning nega-tives into positives. Instead of fretting youwon’t finish a project, for example, tellyourself you’ll make a plan to do it.

Deal with a boss who “hates” you:Accept that it’s fine not to have a great per-sonal bond and focus on being profession-al. Find out exactly what your boss needsand do it.

... and one who bullies: To gain morecontrol, regularly ask for clarification onyour duties. Repeat back what your bosssays, create a written email record and try

to have other people listening as you twotalk.

Combat layoff anxiety: Do what youcan to prepare for possible downsizingby researching other jobs and participatingin educational, volunteer and networkingopportunities.

Decompress off the job: Listen tobooks on tape or a favorite music stationon your commute — nothing negative orwork-related. If you have to bring workhome, take a break to exercise, watch afunny TV show or spend time with familyor friends.

Live healthfully: Eat a nutritious lunchduring the workday, drink beverages thatcalm you — herbal tea or water, say, ratherthan coffee — and aim for seven or eighthours of sleep a night.

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You can sync the device with your com-puter to upload various stats to the device’swebsite, which includes an analysis of yourperformance data. It even offers fitness tipsand training strategies from experts in thefield.

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screen that dis-plays full color.You can wearit as a wrist-band or arm-band, or clipit to your shirtor other gear.Tired of listening todownloaded songs? Thedevice also includes an FMradio for additional variety. Its3.5 mm headphones (USB 2.0connections) allow audible readoutof built-in heart rate monitors. If youhave an Android smartphone, the MO-TOACTV also allows you to answer callsand receive texts. Battery can play music forup to 20 hours and can track workouts forup to 10 hours indoors and 5 hours out-doors. Device weighs approximately 1.2ounces. Size is approximately 1.8-by-1.8-by-

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HL The Healthy Plate

Rocco DispiritoThe Associated Press

For Christmas this year, I didn’t ask Santa for a new sweater,tie or even my two front teeth. I just wanted a richly satisfy-ing holiday dinner that wouldn’t make me gain weight.

One of my solutions was a down-sized beef Wellington. Tradi-tionally, this dish is a fillet of beef covered with pate, a sauteedmushroom mixture known as duxelles, then enveloped in but-tery puff pastry and baked in the oven.

Beef Wellington is a dish with a story. It was named for theDuke of Wellington, a national hero for defeating Napoleon atWaterloo in 1815. The Duke loved a certain dish prepared frombeef, mushrooms, truffles, Madeira wine and pate cooked in pas-try. It later was renamed in his honor.

So I decided to create a version that would fit into today’shealthy, lose-weight lifestyle. It took many attempts to get it right.The result will impress you. So will the numbers. Traditional beefWellington has 57 grams of fat and 744 calories per serving. Myversion has 11 grams of fat and 328 calories.

BEEF WELLINGTONStart to finish: 1 hour 15 minutesServings: 8

32-ounce beef tenderloin, center cut, trimmed of all visible fatSalt and ground black pepper1/2 tablespoon olive oil2 cloves garlic, chopped10 ounces button mushrooms, sliced1 cup diced yellow onion21/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry2 egg whites, beaten12/3 cups Bisquick Heart Smart Pancake and Baking Mix5 chunks dried porcini mushrooms3/4 ounce beef jerky, finely shredded1/2 cup Madeira11/2 tablespoons arrowroot powder2 teaspoons soy sauce

Directions: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheetwith parchment paper.

Season the beef liberally with salt and pepper. In a large sautepan over medium-high, heat the olive oil. When the oil is justsmoking, add the beef. Brown on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes perside. Once browned, remove the beef and place on a rack to rest.

Add the garlic to the hot pan and cook until lightly browned,about 20 seconds. Add the mushrooms and onion. Cook until themushrooms and onions are soft and tender and all of their liquidhas evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper andadd 2 teaspoons of the thyme.

Set aside 1/4 cup of the mushroom-onion mixture. Transfer therest to a food processor and pulse to roughly chop until reduced

to 1/4-inch pieces. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for 5 minutes.Once slightly cooled, add the spinach and egg whites and mixwell.

In a medium bowl stir the pancake mix with just enough wa-ter, about 1/3 cup, to moisten and make a dough that holds to-gether but is not sticky. On a lightly floured surface, roll thedough to a thin rectangle that is 2 inches longer than the beefroast. Place the beef on the dough. Spoon the spinach and mush-room mixture on the top and sides of the beef and pat downtightly. Fold the dough up and over the top of the beef andspinach and crimp the seams together.

Place the meat seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.Cut a few slits in the top to vent. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, oruntil the center of the roast registers 140 F. Remove from theoven, cover with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, place 2 of the porcini chunks in a spice grinderand grind to a fine powder. Place the mushroom powder, re-maining whole porcini mushroom chunks and the shreddedjerky in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 cups of water. Microwaveon high for about 2 minutes, or until the water is simmering. Letsit for 5 minutes and repeat.

Pour the Madeira into a small saucepan over medium heat.Bring to a boil and boil for about 5 minutes, or until reduced byhalf. Pour the dried mushroom and beef broth through a finemesh strainer into the reduced Madeira while pushing on thejerky and mushrooms to extract as much liquid as possible.

Remove the whole pieces of porcini mushrooms from thestrainer and roughly chop them, then set them aside. Discard thejerky. Bring the broth and Madeira mixture to a boil.

In a small bowl, combine the arrowroot and 4 tablespoonscold water. Mix well, then add to the simmering sauce. Cook andstir for 1 minute, or until the sauce is just thickened. Add the soysauce, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of thyme leaves and both the re-served chopped porcini and reserved 1/4 cup of the mushroomand onion mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutrition information per serving: 328 calories; 11 g fat; 82 mgcholesterol; 23 g carbohydrate; 31 g protein; 3 g fiber; 756 mgsodium.

Healthy HeartBeef Wellington


Healthy Legs, Healthy You!

Do you suffer from bulging, painful vari-cose veins in your legs? Maybe you noticethat your legs ache, swell, or feel heavy andfatigued, especially by the end of the day?All of these can be signs of vein diseasecaused by faulty valves in your veins. If leftuntreated they can lead to more serious healthissues such as blood clots, venous hemor-rhage, or skin ulcerations.

The veins in your legs have to work hardagainst gravity to get the blood back to yourheart using one-way valves. When these veinsbecome stretched, the valves weaken andare unable to completely close, resulting inincreased vein pressure. It is this increasedpressure that is the source of the problems.

Factors that contribute tovenous disease are:• Family history• Gender• Age• Multiple pregnancies• Prolonged periods of standing or sitting• Overweight

Conservative methods of treatment are toavoid sitting or standing for long periods,the use of compression stockings, regularexercise, and controlling your weight. If apatient’s symptoms do not improve with con-servative measures then a physician may rec-ommend a consultation for treatment knownas Endovenous Laser Treatment, or EVLT.

EVLT is performed by the comprehensivevein specialists at The Vein and Laser Centerof Northern Colorado. This group uses themost advanced laser delivery system, Vena-Cure 1470, which provides the patient with amanageable post procedure recovery period,allowing the patient to return to work the fol-lowing day. Procedures are done in the officein less than 2 hours, and are typically coveredby insurance.

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Clear ingthe Way

Group works toeducate Lovelandon National MethAwareness DayJade CodyRepor ter-Herald

Methamphetamine use exists inLoveland, and every person in thecommunity is paying the price.

That is the message that John Giroux,co-founder of CLEAR, the Coalition ofLoveland for Education, Awareness andResources in the fight against metham-phetamine, wanted to relay on Nov. 30 atLake Loveland.

“Our goal is to raise awareness on Na-tional Meth Awareness Day that meth im-pacts everyone in this community,” he said.“We can’t stick our heads in the sand any-more, and that’s happening in Loveland.People tend to look the other way.”

To spread the word yesterday, Giroux,along with several other volunteers, heldsigns detailing the dangers of meth andpromoting Mitch’s March Against Meth,which is scheduled for March 31, 2012, atLake Loveland.

The March, a project created by Love-lander Cindy Gray, is aimed at bringing the

community together in the fight againstmeth. Gray’s son, Mitch, was addicted tometh for several years before committingsuicide onJuly 4, 2007.

Gray saidMitch becameaddicted tometh veryquickly.

“He tried itwhen he was17, and he gotcompletelyaddicted tometh. He wasa good kid, hehad a kindheart — hegenuinely cared about people. He hatedhimself for what he did to our family, but

he was overcome with it (meth). He wroteme letters saying ‘I want to stop, but I can’t.’

“After they’re addicted,” Gray said, “ther eisn’t much you can do to make someonestop. So our goal is to educate. There’s abetter success rate now than there was afew years back — so it is possible.”

Giroux stressed that meth use is not onlytragic for the friends and families of users,but also to the pocketbook of Loveland citi-zens.

“It’s $75,000 per year on society for everysingle meth addict,” he said. “That’s $300for every man, woman and child in Col-orado.”

Jonathan Judge, program manager forthe Colorado Meth Project, was also onhand at Lake Loveland. He said it was im-portant to support the CLEAR organizationand to help educate people on meth usage.

“This gets people at least thinking aboutthe drug and having those important con-versations with their children,” he said.

Lovelander Shelley Duckett, who recent-ly joined CLEAR and was holding a sign,said awareness was imperative.

“I’ve seen a lot of families being rippedapart by meth, including mine,” she said.“So I just want to raise awareness.

“I don’t think Loveland knows there’s aproblem, so bringing awareness is impor-tant.”

To volunteer with CLEAR or for more in-formation, visit www.lovelandclear.org orcall 970-405-7868.

For more information aboutMitch’s March Against Meth, visith t t p : / / m i t c h s m a rc h . o rg .

Reporter-Herald/Jade CodyVolunteers hold signs for Meth Awareness Day on Nov. 30 at Lake Loveland.

Cindy Gray holds asign for MethAwareness Day onNov. 30 at LakeLoveland. Gray’slate son, Mitch, wasaddicted to methprior to his suicide in2007. Gray hassince organizedMitch’s MarchAgainst Meth, to beheld on March 31,2012, at LakeLo v e l a n d .

RH photo/Jade Cody

Mitch Gray, age 22


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www.BannerHealth.com/COexperts

McKee Medical CenterNorth Colorado Medical Center

Connect with us:


Alison JohnsonM c C l a t c h y-Tr i b u n e

Many people start their day with diet blunders. Here’s how tocorrect them, with help from Dr. Wayne Andersen, an obesityspecialist and medical director for Take Shape for Life, a

weight loss program.

SKIPPING BREAKFASTDieters often use this strategy, but numerous studies have found breakfast

eaters are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and make better foodchoices throughout the day. Even an unhealthy breakfast is almostalways better than no breakfast at all.

... OR EATING IT TOO LATEDon’t wait longer than an hour. “Thirty minutes

is ideal,” Andersen said.

NOT EATING ENOUGH PROTEINYou won’t stay full long on carbohydrate-rich

breakfasts such as sugary cereals or pastries.Choose cereals made from rice, oats, wheat, barleyor rye; eggs and low-fat dairy such as yogurt andmilk also are good protein sources.

SKIMPING ON FIBERFiber is filling enough to lower your overall caloric

intake without leaving you feeling deprived. Choosewhole-grain breads and cereals and add fruits andvegetables and a handful of nuts and seeds to staplessuch as cereal and eggs.

TAKING IN TOO MANY — OR TOO FEW —C A LO R I E S

Most people should aim for roughly 300 to400 calories per morning meal.

NOT READING FOOD LABELSCompare total calories, protein, fiber,

sugar and fat content, and payattention to serving sizes.Remember that some“healthy” foods such asgranola and cereal barscan be very high in sugarand fat. If you’re eating at arestaurant, check for nutri-tion facts via online menus.

DRINKING TOO MANY CALORIESFruit juices and energy drinks, along with

many flavored coffee creamers, often are packed withsugar. Water and unsweetened green tea are always goodchoices.

Avo i dcommon

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Call us today to find out how you can become a patient.

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LOVELAND TURKEY TROT BREAKSRECORD - AGAIN

The Loveland Turkey Trot 5K run/walkwas held Thanksgiving morning at McK-ee Medical Center. Beautiful weather al-lowed for perfect running conditions with2100 people entering the race, the mostever for the 10th anniversary edition ofthis annual Loveland tradition.

Over $43,000 was raised. 100 percentof entry fees and sponsorship contribu-tions will benefit the Stepping StonesAdult Day Program at McKee. This pro-gram provides participants an opportuni-ty to socialize, build friendships, and en-joy stimulating activities in a safe, caringenvironment. By tailoring activities tomeet individual’s specific needs, SteppingStones becomes a place where dignity,confidence, security and independenceare assured, giving participants new lev-els of freedom and enhancing their quali-ty of life.

Overall winners were:1st Place Male: Jed Morgan with a

time of 16:22; 1st Place Female: AbbyDefferschmidt with a time of 18:48;1st Place Male Masters: Steve Read with atime of 18:36 and 1st Place FemaleMasters: Shannon Bridgeman with atime of 20:51. The Fastest Team prizewent to the Cooney 5 with an overalltime of 57:37. The Largest Team prizewent to the Lucile Erwin Middle SchoolTeam with 110 runners awarding themthe Middle School Challenge Grant of$250 to spend on wellness activities at theschool. Timed results for each runner canbe found at McKeeFoundation.com.

Thank you to event sponsors:Dr. Stower’s Orthodontics,

Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies,Max Muscle, Walker Manufacturing,Loveland Reporter-Herald, NOCO 5,Advanced Direct Marketing, Townsquare

Media, Great Harvest Bread, AdvancedMedical Imaging, and Home StateBank.

NEW OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST JOINSLOVELAND CLINIC

Banner Health is pleased to welcomeJonathan Franco, MD, to OB/GYN Asso-ciates of Loveland.

Franco is a Col-orado native andcompleted medicalschool at the Uni-versity of ColoradoSchool of Medicinein Denver and aresidency at Mari-copa Medical Cen-ter and St. Joseph’sHospital and Medi-cal Center inPhoenix. He haspracticed since1995 in Fort Collins and Denver.

Franco, who also speaks Spanish, has aspecial interest in providing outstandingobstetric care, minimally invasive androbotic surgery as well as in-office contra-ception and endometrial ablations.

OB/GYN Associates is located at 1900Boise Ave., Suite 300. The phone numberis 970-667-2009.

J.P. VALIN, MD, NAMED CHIEFMEDICAL OFFICER FOR BANNERMEDICAL GROUP – WESTERNREGION

J.P. Valin, MD, has accepted the posi-tion of chief medical officer for BannerMedical Group – Western Region. Valinwill join the Banner Medical Group lead-ership team Monday, Dec. 12. His officewill be located at Banner Corporate Cen-ter in Greeley.

Valin has extensive experience in med-

ical group leadership. He has served onthe board of directors of Big ThompsonMedical Group since 2003, and helped tolead the successfultransition of BTMGinto Banner Health.

Valin grew upoutside of Boston,and received abachelor’s degreein biology fromGeorgetown Uni-versity in Washing-ton, D.C. He at-tended New YorkMedical Collegeand completed hisinternship and resi-dency training at New York PresbyterianHospital – Cornell Medical Center in NewYork City. He also served as AssistantChief Medical Resident at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center in New YorkCity.

Valin originally joined Big ThompsonMedical Group (BTMG) as a traditionalinternist in 2000. In 2006, he helped todevelop the hospitalist program atMcKee Medical Center and transitionedto become a full-time hospitalist in2007.

At McKee, he serves on the Profession-al Review Committee, the UtilizationManagement Committee and several Clin-ical Initiative Workgroups focusing onheart failure, reducing pneumonia treat-ment variations, and reducing re-admis-sions. Currently he is director of the McK-ee hospitalist program and the hospital’sChief of Staff.

Valin also served on the board of direc-tors of the Mountain Shadows PhysicianHospital Organization for nine years andhas experience with capitation and Medi-care Advantage plans.

Jonathan Franco

J.P. Valin

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COPD:How it can affect you

McKee Medical Center

Do you ever have trouble breathing?Have you had a bad cough thatwill not go away or difficulty

catching your breath? These could besymptoms of COPD (chronic obstructivepulmonary disease) or another lung illness.Your physician can help you get theanswers you need by performing a simplein-office test called spirometry.

Spirometry is the most common way ofmeasuring the amount and speed of air in-haled and exhaled by the lungs. It soundscomplex, but spirometry is a simple, pain-less test to measure lung capacity. The ba-sic spirometry test varies depending on theequipment used, but generally, yourhealthcare provider will ask you to take thedeepest breath you can and then exhale in-to the tube-shaped device for as long aspossible.

Spirometry is an important tool for im-proving the diagnosis and management forsuch conditions as COPD, a group of dis-eases that includes emphysema, chronicbronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis. Thissimple test can help your physician deter-mine if you have an obstruction or restric-tion in your lungs.

The earlier COPD is diagnosed, the bet-ter. According to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, COPD is the thirdleading cause of death in the U.S. and is onthe increase. Approximately 35 million indi-viduals in this country have some form ofCOPD, and over 137,000 died from it in2009 according to preliminary data releasedin March 2011. Lung experts encourageanyone over age 45 to be tested for COPD,especially current or former smokers.

Smoking is the leading cause of COPDand the more a person smokes, the morelikely that person is to develop COPD. Ac-

cording to the Mayo Clinic, other risk fac-tors for developing COPD are occupationalexposure to dusts and chemicals, age andgenetics. Symptoms generally develop inpeople at least 40 years old and rare genet-ic disorder known as alpha-1-antitrypsindeficiency has been identified as a sourcein a few COPD cases. Researchers also sus-pect additional genetic factors can makesome smokers more susceptible to devel-oping the disease.

Besides a persistent cough, other symp-toms of COPD include fatigue, shortness ofbreath, difficulty catching your breath,wheezing and contracting frequent respira-tory infections. COPD tends to developslowly, so it is important to see your physi-cian when you notice symptoms.

COPD does not have a cure, but thereare steps to relieve symptoms and stop thecondition from worsening. Quitting smok-

ing is imperative for COPD sufferers toslow down lung damage. Inhalers thatopen airways are used to treat the diseasealong with inhaled steroids to reduce lunginflammation. Anti-inflammatory medica-tions such as Singulair may be prescribed ifneeded.

The Care Coordination Department atMcKee Medical Center offers education ses-sions to aid in the management of COPD.During the seven-session series, the teamreviews the respiratory system, how itworks, and how you can conserve energyand decrease shortness of breath. Anyonewho has COPD, emphysema or bronchitisis welcome to attend along with familyand/or significant others. The next sessionis scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012,from 1-3 p.m. To register for the COPD se-ries, call McKee Care Coordination at970-635-4138.


WISE WOMEN SUPPORTGROUP

Join Dr. Beth Firestein forcoffee and to meet some won-derful other women.

When: 11:15 a.m.-12:30p.m., Dec. 15, Jan. 5 and Jan. 19

Wher e: The Mandolin Cafe,210 E. 4th St.

Cost: Fr eeContact: 970-635-9116.

WEIGHT LOSS SEMINARCreate optimal health and

safely lose 2-5 pounds perweek with a medically provenprogram. Learn how many peo-ple have been able to reduce oreliminate medications for dia-betes, high blood pressure, andhigh cholesterol as well asmany other chronic conditionscaused by excess weight. Pro-gram presented by a pharmacistand a certified health coach.

When: 6-7:30 pm Jan. 4,2012. Seating Limited to the first50 people.

Wher e: The Suites at theGarden Room (2nd floor con-ference room), 697 DenverAve., Loveland

Cost: Fr eeContact: 970-302-4919 or

[email protected]

BREATHE EASIER PUL-MONARY SUPPORT GROUP

When: 10-11 a.m., secondFriday of every month begin-ning Jan. 13

Wher e: McKee Conferenceand Wellness Center

Cost: Fr eeContact: 970-635-4053

BREAST-FEEDING SUPPORTGROUP

When: 10-11 a.m., Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays (ex-cept holidays)

Cost: Free. No need to regis-ter

Contact: 970-669-9355

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS FORI N FA N T S

Bright Beginnings is de-signed to celebrate the birth ofnew babies and provide fami-lies with health, safety, devel-opment, play and communityresource information.

When: 11:15 a.m.-12:15p.m., Dec. 19, Jan. 16

Wher e: Family Birth CenterConference Room, 3rd Floor

Cost: Fr eeContact: 970-495-7528 to

r egister

CHILDBIRTH AND FAMILYLIFE EDUCATION

McKee Medical Center offersmulti-session childbirth educa-tion classes. For dates, times orto register, call 970-669-9355 orvisit www.BannerHealth.com/classes. For Spanish languageclasses, call 970-667-6241. Inaddition, families can learnmore about classes on breastfeeding, sibling preparation andinfant care.

TOTAL JOINT EDUCATIONPhysical therapists and occu-

pational therapists prepare pa-tients for surgery. This programis coordinated through yourphysician’s office as part of the

surgery scheduling process.When: 3 p.m., ThursdaysWher e: McKee Conference

and Wellness CenterCost: Fr eeContact: 970-635-4172 to

r egister

BREAST CANCER SUPPORTGROUP

When: 5:30-7 p.m., secondThursday of the month

Wher e: McKee Cancer Cen-ter Lobby


CAREGIVER CANCERSUPPORT GROUP

When: 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.,every other Thursday, Dec. 15,29, Jan. 5.

Wher e: Call for locationsCost: Fr eeContact: 970-635-4129

CAREGIVERS SUPPORTFor caregivers of elderly

adults. The group focuses onproviding support and educa-tion about community re-sources and behavior issues,particularly for people withAlzheimer’s and memory im-pair ment.

When: 1:30-3:30 p.m., thirdThursday of the month

Wher e: First ChristianChurch 2000 N. Lincoln Ave.,Loveland

Cost: Free. Care of elderlyadult family members or friendsis available through SteppingStones Adult Day Program dur-ing meeting times at no charge.

Contact: 970-669-7069

GENERAL CANCERS U P P O RT

When: 5:30-7 p.m., TuesdaysWher e: McKee Cancer Cen-

ter lobbyCost: Fr eeContact: 970-635-4129

MAN-TO-MAN: PROSTATECANCER SUPPORT GROUP

When: 5:30-7 p.m., fourthThursday of the month

Wher e: McKee Conferenceand Wellness Center


SOULPLAY ART THERAPYPeople whose lives are

touched by cancer experiencethe benefits of expressing them-selves through art. No art expe-rience needed.

When: 1:30-3:30 p.m.,We d n e s d a y s

Wher e: McKee Cancer Cen-ter Conference Room


BLOOD PRESSURE SCREEN-ING

Have your blood pressurechecked by a Wellness Special-ist.

When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.,Monday through Thursday

Cost: FreeWher e: McKee Wellness Ser-

vices, 1805 E. 18th St. Suite 6,Loveland

Contact: 970-669-9355

HL Health News BriefsPOUDRE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM TOBUILD EMERGENCY AND SURGERYCENTER IN WEST GREELEY

Poudre Valley Health System announcedplans to build an emergency room andsame-day surgery center in Greeley'sNorth Gate Village, next to King SoopersMarketplace, on the southeast corner of71st Avenue and 10th Street.

The emergency division of the new facil-ity will be staffed 24 hours a day, sevendays a week by board-certified emergencyroom physicians from Emergency Physi-cians of the Rockies, an independent emer-gency provider group that has been servingnorthern Colorado for more than 30 years.

Same-day surgery services will be offeredfor select general and elective surgeries inthe areas of endoscopy, gastroenterology,orthopedics and urology. Other outpatientsurgeries will be added as needs arise. Inaddition to outpatient surgeries, outpatientIV therapy services will be offered.

The 22,000-square-foot facility with anestimated cost of $14.5 million is scheduledto open in June 2012 and will be dividedinto two main areas. One section willhouse an emergency care center that willinclude 10 examination rooms, two pedi-atric exam rooms, a resuscitation room andlaboratory. The diagnostic imaging areawill include X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI.

The building also will feature a coveredambulance bay for easy emergency accessin and out of the facility.

The same-day surgery center, located onthe west side of the building, will includethree preparatory areas, two operatingrooms, recovery areas and an observationr oom.

According to Branzell, the proposed pro-ject is contingent on the land contract clos-ing date anticipated to occur in the next 60days. He estimates the project will generateapproximately 70 new jobs in the Greeleycommunity. For more information aboutthe emergency and same-day surgery cen-ter, go to pvhs.org/weld-county-healthcare.

HL Health Line Calendar


Missing Teeth? Unhappy with Your Dentures?

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARPresented by Dr. Ralph ReynoldsThursday, December 15 & January 12, 6:00 PM Oral & Facial Surgery of Loveland(HOR D’OEUVRES AND BEVERAGES PROVIDED)

Call to reserve your seat 970-663-6878

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Oral & Facial Surgery of Loveland3520 East 15th Street, Suite 102Loveland, CO 80538970-663-6878www.reynoldsoralfacial.com


Documents

December 2011 Health Line