BJ REED WINS THE PICTURE OF HEALTH CONTEST

May 30, 2007 11:07 AM

Tens of thousands of you voted-- and your choice for "The Picture of Health" was BJ Reed of Medford, Oregon! 

Congratulations BJ and thanks to our 4 excellent runner ups.  Click here to see BJ on Good Morning America when she was announced as the winner!

Watch BJ win on Good Morning America

May 30, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Meet Kate Adamson - Klugman -- She Survived a Major Stroke to Inspire Others

May 04, 2007 5:11 PM

So what is the picture of health?  How about alive instead of dead!

In 1995, I was a fit and healthy mother of two. I had an ideal diet: no processed sugar, low fat organic foods, whole grains, lots of veggies and fruit. I was 5" 3"-- weighed 116 lbs with a body fat ratio of 12%. I worked out five days a week. If you wanted to see a healthy lifestyle, all you had to do was follow me around.

At the age of 33, I suffered a brainstem stroke that left me totally paralyzed. Many debated whether my life was worth the cost of life support. The odds were a million to one against me; but because I had done the work I had a fighting chance to survive. Because of my health and fitness, resulting from proper diet and exercise, the willpower I developed in the process "and God's grace" I survived.

Today I am still the picture of health. It may be a slightly different picture than you're used to because I'm still partially paralyzed, but I enjoy the most significant recovery of anyone who has suffered this type of paralysis. I still watch my diet and exercise regularly. I still weigh 116 lbs. My body fat ratio is only slightly increased (hey, I'm ten years older). It is great being alive! How much does being the picture of health mean to me? It saved my life.

Click here to view Kate Adamson's video.

Watch Kate Adamson-Klugman's Interview on Healthy Life.

Kitchen Cuisine: Kate cooks her favorite lentil soup.

Kate enjoys neighborhood walks with her dog.

Visit Kate's Charity - USC's Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy

May 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (25) | TrackBack (0)

Meet Robin Leffler - A Fitness Instructor and Single Mom Successfully Dealing with a Heart Condition

May 04, 2007 5:06 PM

Robin is a fitness instructor at the Eastern Community YMCA. She is 5'3", weighs 127lbs and a picture of health. Robin deals with a heart condition called tachycardia. It is important for Robin to lead a healthy life style including regular exercise to control this condition.

She started her healthy life style as a participant in a fitness class at the Y. The instructor saw leadership qualities in Robin and encouraged her to become certified to teach. She has been teaching fitness classes at the Eastern Community YMCA for the past 10 years.

She's a single Mom with a full time job outside the Y. I got to know Robin better when in the beginning of 2006 several of the Y staff challenged each other to begin a weight loss contest. We were an overweight, out of shape group of 6 women.  Boy did we need help. Not only did she give advice she showed us how to track our progress, make healthy food choices, and she gave us her personal time to work out with us and encouraged us to keep going.

As a result we develoed a program to help otherswho need that same start and encouragement. I continue to find out that Robin is meeting with someone on her own time to work out with them and give them the individual encouragement to succeed. She is an inspriation to many of us and a great example of a strong, confident, giving and healthly woman over 40.

Click Here to See Robin Leffler's Video

Watch Robin Leffler's interview on Healthy Life.

Front-kicks, Side-kicks & Upper Cuts! Watch her teach a kickboxing class at the YMCA!

Visit Robin's Charity - YMCA - Eastern Community Branch (Oregon, OH)

May 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Meet BJ Reed - She Survived and Finally Thrived After a Devastating Car Crash

May 04, 2007 5:05 PM

A 66 year-old-carrot-muncher maneuvers down the produce aisle, unaware that she is to many, the healthiest woman they know. BJ Reed is my 5'2, 115 lb. ball-of-energy mother. Sure, she is an accomplished athlete, but she would be first to tell you that you, TOO, could accomplish whatever goal you set for yourself. Her physical accomplishments are merely side effects of a 30+ year health regime.

At first glance BJ looks like you and me, but this schoolteacher is no ordinary woman. Her can-do words inspire hundreds of students and an entire community. From classroom health antics and community service actions to published media stories of accomplishing great feats, her health is no loud annual New Year's resolution, but a model way of being.

Nine servings daily of fruits and greens, eight water bottles and eight hours asleep help, but when asked this is only one part of the wholesome pie. Health to BJ is also emotional, spiritual and mental. Happiness is a discipline. Visualizing negative energy leaving her body, welcoming positive thoughts is her twenty-minute daily ritual. Turning concerns and judgments over to a higher power, she radiates the kind of energy that others notice when she walks into a room.

Dark chocolate, red wine, hugs and uproarious laughter are popular line items in her pocketbook gratitude journal. To BJ good health is a possibility, a question that is lived. How good do you want to feel? The choice is yours. A beautiful mother, a beautiful life!

Click Here to See BJ Reed's Video

Watch BJ Reed's interview on Healthy Life.

BJ keeps fit by caring for her grand-daughter.

Mental Health: Listen to her tips on what makes a healthy relationship.

Healthy Life profiles BJ's charity for battered women.

Visit BJ's Charity - Dunn House Shelter - Community Works (Medford, OR)

May 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)

Meet Caron Tate - She's Got Great Advice on Women's Health

May 04, 2007 4:54 PM

My name is Caron Tate, I'm 5" 7" and 165 pounds. Years ago, I thought I was on my dream life path: I was a singer/actor/model who worked out all the time. I loved it. I loved swimming, weight training, dancing, aerobics and running. My diet was good and my health, generally speaking, was great.

Then all hell done broke loose. An arm twinge and occasional neck stiffness became constant, excruciating pain and a loss of control over my left arm. I watched it twitch and jump on its own like water on a hot skillet. I spent months sleeping for a few minutes at a time until the electric pain shocked me awake again. I was recovering from that when a car hit me.

I've learned from these and other life experiences; including depression, giving up performing, and losing my home; that true health is about so much more than extreme workouts and single-digit size clothing.

It is knowing that we are body and mind and spirit and that all three need to be nurtured. It's educating ourselves about how our bodies work and taking control of our own healthcare. It's learning to find balance and peace in our lives. But most of all, it's learning the healing properties of laughter and love and companionship. There is no better medicine. I hope my video will illustrate this philosophy.

Click Here to See Caron Tate's Video

Watch Caron Tate's Interview on Healthy Life.

Alternative Health Advocate: Take a trip with Caron to the acupuncturist.

Caron discusses the importance of hydration.

Visit Caron's Charity - Keep A Child Alive

May 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Meet Janet Vittone -- She Fights a Shared Family History of Breast Cancer

May 04, 2007 4:51 PM

I've lived a healthy lifestyle-a nonsmoker, running daily, eating healthy. I also do monthly self-breast exams. I was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing dimpling of the skin on my breast. As a physician practicing at the Mayo Clinic, I knew this was a sign of breast cancer. It was November 2001 and I was a 38-year-old mother of 2 young sons. The breast biopsy confirmed my suspicions, and I underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.

Six months later, my 31 yr old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She came to Mayo for her surgery. Four weeks after her mastectomy, my mother also came to Mayo for a breast biopsy, which confirmed cancer.

My oldest sister wisely pursued having a preventive mastectomy. Her insurance company initially denied approval of the surgery. She appealed their decision, and was able to have the procedure four months after my mother's diagnosis. During the surgery, a 1-centimeter cancer was detected.

After our diagnosis, my oldest sister began riding a stationary bike and lost 20 pounds, my youngest sister began kayaking, and I ran 3 marathons and a triathlon.

With my personal and family history of breast cancer, I strongly emphasize to my patients and medical students, the importance of:
1) Self-breast exam
2) Yearly mammograms
3) Advocating for one's health
4) Maintaining physical activity
5) Healthy living

I still live a healthy lifestyle-nonsmoker, running daily, eating healthy, and staying close to my family. I simply added surviving breast cancer to my list.

Click Here to See Janet Vittone's Video

Watch Janet Vittone's interview on Healthy Life

Watch Janet get ready for her daily morning run.

Janet regularly integrates weights into her exercise regimen.

Visit Janet's Charity -- Susan G. Komen For the Cure

Watch Healthy Life's Profile of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

May 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)