FT North Buckhead Client of the Month August 2012

This month's client of the month is Becky Weinman.  Becky first came to Fitness Together while wearing a neck brace from a fractured vertebrae. Vowing not to be a victim to  neck pain, she sought the services of Fitness Together.  Becky also suffers from RA (rheumatoid arthritis), but she doesn't let that stop her either, as she understands that strength and conditioning are necessary to treat it.  We are very proud of her as many people make excuses not to exercise with similar conditions.  Here is what she has to say:


Why do you like Fitness Together?
I really enjoy the one-on-one concept and personal attention that you get at Fitness Together.  This format ensures me that I am not going to do something that can potentially hurt me. I need the accountability and the service is the best I have experienced.


Tell us some of the results you've achieved at Fitness Together:
As a dentist, the upper back and neck strength I developed has been crucial to my career.  Of course, I have received other benefits such as increase muscle tone and improved overall vitality.  If you're looking to fit, then I highly recommend Fitness Together.


What city are you from?
I’m from Atlanta, GA

What is your profession?
I’ve been practicing as a dentist for 27 years.  My practice is Buckhead Dental Associates.


Tell us about any hobbies you may have:
I love gardening (when it’s less than 95 degrees outside) and I enjoy making jewelry.  I also love to volunteer in particular for the Face to Face Program of the Partnership Against Domestic Violence.


What is your favorite “bad” food?
Chocolate


What is your favorite healthy food?
Beets and goat cheese.


Tell us about your children/pets:
I am a proud mother of a daughter, Melissa, 26 and a son, Paten, 20.   I have a big red mutt, Betty who is large and in charge.


What is your significant other?
I have been married to Richard Weinman for 32 years, yikes.


What is your favorite exercise?
I don’t have one.  I love them all (haha)!


Why do you PACK training?
I love doing the core training and Pilates class usually done on Saturday.

Nutrient Brief: Beneficial Beets

I must admit that until just a few months ago, I had not tried beets since childhood.  In my mind they ranked right up there with brussel sprouts in their edibility.  However, when my Polish boyfriend recently requested Borscht for dinner one night I figured I would give them a shot.  I am very glad I did because I discovered that when paired with other fresh, flavorful ingredients they are very palatable indeed.

From a nutritional standpoint, beets are a vegetable that the majority of Americans should be including in their meal plans due to their cardiovascular benefits.  Emerging research is suggesting that the pigments that give beets their robust color also reduce inflammation in the body, as well as contributing antioxidant properties.  Moreover, they contain a nutrient called betaine that is related to reduced homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels (two common markers for cardiovascular disease).  Beets (even organic) are a much more cost-effective way of attempting to reduce your risk of chronic disease.

As with most vegetables, beets contain a high nutrient density overall compared to a low caloric density.  In a cup of raw beets, for about 50 calories you get a significant amount of folate (important for pregnant women), in addition to vitamin C, manganese, potassium and fiber.  The greens are also edible and provide extra antioxidants, iron and vitamin A. 

 

While there are these numerous benefits to eating beets, the research suggests that some of these nutrients start degrading if heated for an extended period of time.  You can eat beets fresh to retain the highest percentage of nutrients, however as long as you keep steaming times to no more than 20 minutes and roasting to less than an hour you will still reap many benefits from adding these literal “jewels” to your culinary arsenal.

Katie Jensen, CSCS, NPTI

Fitness/Nutrition Coach

Fitness Together North Buckhead