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Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin, best known as Nina Cherie, PhD is a research scientist, author, educator and advocate for lifestyle medicine who has authored and co-authored numerous articles, expert blogs and videos. She is also the nutrition and health expert for Answers.com and an exercise, fitness and nutrition expert for Demand Media, a content and social-media company that operates web brands such as eHow and Livestrong. As a relentless proponent of preventative health and wellness, Dr. Franklin preaches a gospel of getting people moving more and eating better in order to improve their quality of life.

Dr. Franklin’s experience in health, fitness and exercise science spans over 15 years. She holds a BS in Kinesiology, an MS in Movement Sciences with a concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology, and a PhD in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation with concentrations in Integrative Vascular Biology and Exercise Physiology. She is also a Certified and Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist, an ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist, and an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor.

In addition to her academic credentials and certifications, Dr. Franklin is a business owner. In 2005 she started Complete Image, Inc., which in 2010 became Complete Health Solutions, L3C, a hybrid nonprofit digital media and publishing firm specializing in health, fitness and nutrition-related books, how-to videos and podcasts. Dr. Franklin established this company with the mission to enhance people’s quality of life through services, programs, leisure activities and events that promote healthy behaviors and encourage disease prevention. She also provides best in class consulting and has con-ducted a wide range of courses, seminars and lectures for audiences in both academic and commu-nity settings.

In 2010, Dr. Franklin established her blog, You, Your Body & Your Health, where she regularly writes on a wide array of topics pertaining to health, fitness and nutrition. In addition, she is author of a book titled “Leaving Your Fat Behind”, which promotes physical activity and nutrition-related lifestyle modifications for long-term weight control.

Dr. Franklin’s philosophy is that health and wellness is a journey not a destination. As such, it is her desire to empower people by providing them with the knowledge, advice and tools necessary for achieving and maintaining good health.

Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin grew up in the Englewood com-munity on Chicago's South Side. Like many African-Amer-ican women she struggled with obesity, leading a lifestyle of physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Inspired by her mother at an early age, Dr. Franklin distanced herself from many peer influences and had the wherewithal to affect real change by embracing healthier habits that have be-come her life’s passion and profession.

After graduating from high school, Dr. Franklin attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham-paign (UIUC) and majored in Kinesiology, the scientific study of human movement. During her tenure at UIUC, she also taught group exercise classes and became a certified personal trainer. Upon comple-tion of her Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Franklin worked in several fitness centers as a manager, certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor. During this time, she also pursued a diploma in Clinical Massage Therapy at The Soma Institute in Chicago. After graduating and completing her national board certification exam, Dr. Franklin launched her own business, Complete Image, Inc., for which she provided personal training, group exercise training, fitness consulting and clinical massage therapy services.

Always having a desire to be an expert, Dr. Franklin decided to pursue a Master of Science degree in Movement Science (an alternative name for Kinesiology) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her concentration was in Applied Exercise Physiology, which is the study of short- and long-term bodi-ly responses to exercise and other types of physical activity. During this time, she worked in various healthcare settings including physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation while still running a prosper-ous business. However, during her graduate studies Dr. Franklin realized that she wanted to contribute more to her field of interest. She had a huge appreciation for exercise as a science and the reality of what a healthy lifestyle can do for an individual. As such, Dr. Franklin became interested in research.

After completing her Master of Science degree, Dr. Franklin was accepted into the Doctor of Philoso-phy (PhD) program in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation at UIC with concentrations in Integra-tive Vascular Biology and Exercise Physiology. Along the way she married the love of her life and gave birth to their son.

As a PhD candidate, athlete, wife and mother, Dr. Franklin gained valuable insight on the potential con-flicting relationship between lifestyle and healthy behaviors. As such she revamped Complete Image, Inc. into Complete Health Solutions, L3C with a mission to enhance people's quality of life through ser-vices, programs, leisure activities, and events that promote healthy behaviors and encourage disease prevention. Complete Health Solutions, L3C, is a hybrid nonprofit digital media and publishing firm specializing in health, fitness and nutrition-related books, how-to videos and podcasts.

As a researcher, exercise scientist and clinical massage therapist, Dr. Franklin’s interests focus on un-derstanding the ways in which exercise training, proper nutrition, and alternative medicine stave off cardiovascular disease and related risk factors including obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, primarily among women. Her ultimate goal is to change the lives of others, one person at a time.

Who Is Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin?

In 2013 Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin debuted her first book titled, Leaving Your Fat Behind. This book is the first in her You, Your Body & Your Health Series, in which she aims to educate, inspire and empower women to live healthier lifestyles. Leaving Your Fat Behind covers a wide range of health, fitness and nutrition-related topics as they pertain to long-term weight control.

Leaving Your Fat Behind highlights the process of weight loss and long-term weight control as a means of preventing obesity and obesity-related diseas-es. Dr. Franklin addresses the vicious cycle of weight loss and weight regain that affects a large percentage of women who are currently dieting to lose weight. She arms readers with realistic and practical strategies for breaking the cycle, indefinitely.

Achieving optimal health is a journey, not a destination. Leaving Your Fat Be-hind represents a first step in that journey. Given that being overweight or obese dramatically increases the risk of health problems and premature death,

Dr. Franklin believes that everyone should work towards making weight control a way of life. Through this book she seeks to make people aware of the importance of proper nutrition and a physically active lifestyle by providing the information, advice and guidance necessary for achieving and maintaining good health through weight control.

In 2012 Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin authored and co-authored chapters in the En-cyclopedia of Lifestyle Medicine & Health. This two-volume encyclopedia series edited by Dr. James M. Rippe covers a wide variety of relevant topics and issues in historical and contemporary context, with information on lifestyle behaviors and practices as they relate to health. These volumes represent a comprehen-sive reference resource for a broad audience, including students and academics in health and health care-related fields as well as lay readers interested in learn-ing how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Author of Successful Aging. With improvements in medicine and public health, people are living longer throughout the world but they are considerably un-healthier. The higher prevalence of disabilities and chronic diseases among the elderly are now stressing the world’s health care systems and economies. In this chapter Dr. Franklin and her colleague address how strategies and approaches to improving the health and well being of elderly people will reap rewards for the individual and the society in which that individual lives.

Co-Author of Reserve Capacity. In this chapter Dr. Franklin and her colleague, discuss the role of reserve capacity in the body’s response to various stressors. The term ‘reserve capacity’ can be defined as the excess capacity, or reserves, above that needed for normal functioning, as in carrying out activities of daily living.

Publications

Franklin, NC and Phillips, SA. The Vascular Endothelium: A Conduit By Which Aerobic Exercise Reduces Cardio-vascular Disease Risk. In: Aerobic Exercise: Health Benefits, Types and Common Misconceptions. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2013.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, Robinson, AT, Norkeviciute, E, and Phillips, SA. Massage Therapy Improves Systemic Vascular Endothelial Function after Exertion-Induced Muscle Injury. ACSM, Annual Meeting. 2013.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, Norkeviciute, E, Leavitt, MM and Phillips, SA. Massage Therapy Improves Systemic Endo-thelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Inactive Young Adults. Massage Therapy Foundation, International Massage Therapy Research Conference. 2013.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, McGinty, P, Norkeviciute, E, and Phillips, SA. Resistance Exercise Training Improves Endothe-lium-Dependent Vasodilation after Acute Exertion in Obese Women. AHA, Scientific Sessions. 2012.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, McGinty, P, Norkeviciute, E, and Phillips, SA. Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training Im-proves Vascular Function in Obese Women. APS Intersociety Meeting: The Integrative Biology of Exercise-VI. 2012.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, Goslawski, M, Phillips, SA. Reduced Brachial Artery Smooth Muscle Function after Acute Exhaustive Resistance Exercise in Obesity. APTA, Combined Sessions Meeting. 2012.

Franklin, NC and Tate, CA. Successful Aging. In: Rippe, J, ed. Encyclopedia of Lifestyle Medicine and Health. Thou-sand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. 2011.

Franklin, NC, Ali, M, Goslawski, M, Phillips, SA. Impaired Vascular Function after Acute Exhaustive Resistance Exercise in Sedentary Lean and Obese Women. AHA, Scientific Sessions. 2011.

Franklin, NC and Tate, CA. Lifestyle and Successful Aging: An Overview. Am J Lifestyle Med, 3: 6-11. 2009.

Certifications & MembershipsClinical Massage Therapist, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)Health Fitness Specialist, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)Group Exercise Instructor, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)Member, American Heart Association (AHA)Member American Physiological Society (APS)

Dr. Franklin has a background in exercise physiology, cardiovascular physiology and vascular biology. Her re-search interests focus on understanding the ways in which exercise training, proper nutrition and alternative medicine stave off cardiovascular disease and related risk factors including obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, primarily among women. Dr. Franklin is also interested in issues related to health disparities. It is well known that individuals in certain racial/ethnic groups experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease and suffer disproportionately from poor health-related outcomes yet they are less likely to take preventative measures or adhere to medical advice and treatment regimens. Dr. Franklin seeks to address this through com-munity-based research projects involving exercise training, dietary interventions and health promotion among at-risk individuals.

Publications & Abstracts

Research Interests

American College of Sports MedicinePresenter, Annual Meeting and World Congress on Exercise is MedicineMay 2013

Massage Therapy FoundationPresenter, International Massage Therapy Research ConferenceApril 2013

Professional Style, Talk RadioInvited Interview, Lifestyle Strategies for Breaking the Yo-Yo Dieting CycleFebruary 2013

InHue MagazineInvited Interview, Lifestyle Strategies for Weight Loss Success in the New Year January 2013

The Wellness Journey, Talk RadioInvited Interview, Tips and Strategies for Healthy Holi-day Eating and LivingDecember 2012

American Heart AssociationPoster Presenter, Scientific Sessions MeetingNovember 2012

American Physiological SocietyPoster Presenter, Intersociety Meeting: Integrative Biology of ExerciseOctober 2012

Jack & Jill Chicago ChapterFeatured Speaker, Mothers’ RetreatSeptember 2012

Heart & Soul MagazineFeatured Speaker, Wellness Weekend EventAugust 2012

Literary Nation Talk RadioInvited Interview, Tips for Staying Healthy in Hot WeatherJuly 2012

Leading Ladies InternationalFeatured Panelist, State of the Union on Women’s HealthApril 2012

American Physical Therapy AssociationPresenter, Combined Sections MeetingFebruary 2012

Presentations, Speaking Engagements & Media Interviews

Workshop SeriesExercise & FitnessFundamentals of Fitness & Weight Loss for WomenChoosing Your Cardio WiselyStrength Training Strategies for Weight LossSculpt It Up: Training For Your Body TypeWhy You’re Not Losing Weight

Nutrition & Weight ManagementCalorie Management: It’s Just a Matter of BalancePortion Control: The Truth About Serving SizesChoosing Your Foods WiselyDieting: Making It Work For YouYear-Round Nutrition: Surviving The Holidays

Health and Disease“Exercise is medicine and optimal nutrition is an enabler of good health. I believe that human beings are de-signed to be physically active and that not doing so creates energy imbalances within the body that ultimately contribute to obesity and other health problems. In the not so distant past, human beings were required to per-form strenuous physical activity daily, as they had to hunt and gather food and constantly roam for shelter. Food supplies were scarce and unpredictable and it was nearly impossible to over consume on a daily basis. Although people are no longer required to hunt and gather for survival, these behavioral patterns our engrained within us. As such, we must strive to create environments that promote regular physical activity and sensible eating in order to maintain optimal health.”

Fitness“Physical fitness doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Oftentimes I’ve had to give people a little tough love because the way I see it, many, perhaps unknowingly, use their ‘busy’ lives as an excuse for not becoming physically fit. Fitness is simply a general state of being healthy and while it is usually a result of exercise and good nutrition habits, it doesn’t always require structured exercise in a gym or a tightly regulated dieting program. People can achieve an optimal level of fitness by making subtle changes in their lifestyle and sticking with them.”

Dieting“People who are trying to lose weight often fall victim to one or more of the hundreds of dieting programs and books on the mainstream market. Some of these do actually contain useful advice and tips but, unfortunately, most make empty promises. I promote dieting resources that encourage a balanced approach to weight loss. Such an approach includes regular exercise and other forms of physical activity, a sensible diet based on sound nutrition, and realistic strategies for long-term weight maintenance.”

Childhood Obesity“Children are not totally to blame for their overweight or obese state, as many don’t know any better, especially if they haven’t been exposed to positive behaviors. While childhood obesity is a nationwide problem and chil-dren are indeed in a ‘crisis’, it all begins at home, plain and simple. As role models, parents need to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits so that their children acquire such patterns of behavior. Healthy people be-come healthy parents and healthy parents will more than likely promote positive behaviors in their children.”

Politics“In my opinion, society in general has failed to promote a culture of disease prevention and personal account-ability. In the United States alone physical inactivity accounts for about 250,000 deaths each year and approxi-mately $24 billion a year in healthcare costs. Medications are now prescribed at the earliest signs of diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which are amendable and reversible, in some cases, with lifestyle modi-fications. With a single-payer healthcare system being an ultimate goal of current legislation, there needs to be more of a drive to implement mandates that emphasize disease prevention through physical activity and health awareness.”

With over 15 years of educational and practical experience in health, fitness, and exercise science, Dr. Franklin can draw on virtually any subject that falls within the realm of health and wellness. In addition, as a researcher with a clinical background, she gives a unique perspective on a diverse range of issues including obesity and weight loss, long-term weight management, exercise and fitness, dieting and nutrition, and general lifestyle medicine. While her social views are moderately liberal, her perspective on health and wellness is very conser-vative. Dr. Franklin emphasizes personal accountability when it comes to good health and she does not hold back any punches when it comes to this subject matter.

Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin’s Perspectives

You, Your Body & Your Health

Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin believes that human beings were designed to be physically active and by not doing so, energy imbalances manifest within the body that ultimately contribute to obesity and other health problems.

Nearly 500,000 people die each year from diseases linked to physical in-activity and obesity. Furthermore, rates of hypertension, hypercholester-olemia, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer have all tripled over the past 30 years corresponding to decreasing levels of daily physical activity and increasing rates of obesity.

Dr. Franklin established NinaCheriePhD.com to tackle the health crisis in the United States and abroad. As a relentless proponent of lifestyle medicine and preventative health she uses NinaCheriePhD.com as a plat-form to enhance people’s quality of life and overall health by encouraging positive lifestyle modifications through the promotion of health and well-ness.

Dr. Franklin’s blog entitled You, Your Body & Your Health, is the primary means by which she shares her unique perspective on a diverse range of is-sues related to preventative health and wellness, fitness, exercise, weight management, and nutrition. She also publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Wellness Beacon, and frequently posts in depth educational articles and practical tips.

Training After a Triathlon Building Endurance if You’re a Beginner SwimmerBuilding Your Cycling SpeedPerforming Push-Ups and Potential Chest SorenessExercising with Water DumbbellsPerforming Water Aerobics with Abdominal WorkPerforming Resistance Training with Low Weight and High RepetitionsGaining Weight Around Your Ribs BPM Guidelines for Workout MusicReading on an Exercise Bike

Stretching and Muscle InjuryExercise vs. Physical Activity for Weight LossWhat Motivates You To Exercise?Tips for Healthy EatingSpring CleaningTips for Burning Calories at HomeBody SculptingIncreasing “Good” Cholesterol

Using an Exercise Ball as an Office ChairThe Best Cardio Exercise Equipment for Women Getting a Bigger Butt Using a TreadmillPerforming Lunges on a Smith Machine Performing Back Extensions on an Ab Bench The Best Weight Training Machine Exercises Performing a Military Press on a Swiss Ball The Ideal Elliptical Stride for Working the Glutes Performing Leg Press ExercisesAlternative Exercises for the Bench Press

YouTube Series: NinaCheriePhD

eHow Series: Exercise Training and Body Sculpting

eHow Series: Life and Exercise

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General Inquiriesnina@ninacheriephd.com

Media Inquiries & Speaking EngagementsWoody FranklinManaging Partnerwoody@ninacheriephd.com

Complete Health Solutions, L3CP.O. Box 829Flossmoor, IL 60422Telephone: +1 888 571 4998chs.ncfranklin@gmail.com