WEEK 15 - "I got the bill for my surgery. Now I know what those doctors were wearing masks for." - James H. Boren

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN....APPARENTLY, I AM A RESPONSIBLE ADULT!  

When going under sedation for any procedure at the hospital, the doctors always ask if the patient has a "responsible adult" to drive them home and make sure they are taken care of for several hours following the event.  According to a few people this past semester, apparently I am a responsible adult!  Who knew?  

Bunion surgery...notice the writing indicating which foot would be operated!

I told them that I would be more than happy to be their responsible adult.  But, I had one request.  I wondered if I could use their information in the classroom for assignments and/or case studies (anonymously if they wished).  They had no problem sharing!  Others who heard followed up sent me their pictures, x-rays and blood work when they heard that it may help nursing students as well.  I was like a kid in a candy store!

Unfortunate infiltration from the IV meds damaging the tissue...the needle got moved!

I teach nursing students in my BIO 120 (fundamentals of nutrition) class...and I am always seeking to pull real life examples into the classroom.  To do so I need to experience the clinics and hospitals through a patient's eyes.  However, HIPAA laws make gathering medical photos, asking patients questions, and piecing together case studies more difficult.  Yes, there are case studies published online with full answer keys for instructors.  Keep in mind that the students know that there are case studies online as well (if you understand what that means).  Plus, I want my case studies to be from individuals whose stories I know with personal details I can share.

At this time, I have several scenarios that I am planning on infusing into my nutrition and exercise physiology classes.  Amongst them are:

• Discerning when to use different types of diets and what foods would be permissible on diets such as mechanical soft, full liquid, clear liquid, etc.  (TYPES OF DIETS)
• Evaluating blood work to determine vitamin/mineral insufficiency.  
• Calculating macronutrient content when ordering food at the hospital.
• Interpreting an X-ray to determine what may be happening in the digestive system of a patient who was recently admitted for extreme abdominal pain. 
• Determining a nutrition and physical activity recommendations to decrease the likelihood of restenosis.   

Throughout the sabbatical, I spent over 100 hours in the hospital as a "responsible adult" helping my friends and family.  All the while, I was listening, observing and talking to doctors in order to be the best plus-one I could be.  There was also an added benefit of bringing information back to my students in a tangible format.  Although I am sad to see the sabbatical come to an end, I enter the classroom a professor who was able to take this time for both personal and professional rejuvenation.  It was time well spent...and I would not trade those experiences for the world.  I just hope my students can deal with my renewed enthusiasm.  

Heart image following angioplasty and stent placement

X-Ray of intestine (full of materials that would not pass)

Mechanical soft diet choices and carbohydrate breakdown of the items

A comparison of the carbohydrates on the actual nutrition label

WEEK 14 - "There's no such thing as a sudden heart attack. It takes years of preparation!"

Often times people don't realize the fascinating history of the medical sciences.  In the early 19th century, teaching hospitals in Europe would use corpses of executed criminals to learn about the human body.  If they needed more bodies because there weren't enough to learn from, grave robbers would lend a hand in exchange for some cash.  At this time, we have anatomical gift associations.  Edward Clayton Muse, my grandfather whom I miss very much, donated his body to such an association when he passed.  His late wife, Toni Muse (whom I am named after), was a nurse in WWII and then civilian hospitals following the war. Grandpa saw value in sharing knowledge and giving wherever appropriate.  My grandparents saw the need to give back and I appreciate the gift he gave post-mortem.  If I am blessed enough to live to a ripe age where none of my dusty organs are desired for organ donation, I will donate my body to the sciences.  

I have always been interested in the sciences.  Even as a young girl I knew I wanted to go into the medical or related sciences.  I love the medical charting, the test results, the blood work, and more.  It is an exciting field!  So, I actually enjoy going to support friend, translate what the doctors said into lay terms and learn as I am there.  Currently, family members and friends often ask me to be the "plus one" to their doctors appointments.  It is always good practice to have someone with you if you are getting results and/or going under anesthesia.  Doctors and nurses joke that patients have 60% hearing loss when their clothes are off. 

When I attend appointments with others, I encourage them to come in with any questions they have written down, I take copious notes, confirm information with the doctors/nurses and ask additional questions where appropriate.  With my close friends, they are often more than happy to share their results anonymously for me to use with my classes and with others.

Their generosity with the results allows me to enrich the classroom where I teach many aspiring Bachelor's of Science in Nursing students at Parkland College in my nutrition sections.  The students really enjoy case studies.  Coming up with new case studies and understanding the full patient history while making it come to life can be a daunting task as published case studies share the answers most times and case studies passed amongst colleagues don't have as much detail as I would like to provide at times.  So, one of my goals of this sabbatical has been to compile a set of case studies to bring to those students and share with follow colleagues.  At the start of my sabbatical, I put a call out on Facebook, and the response was amazing!  I had people contact me with specific information about their weight loss transformations, osteoarthritis, heart disease, bunions, Crohn's, and more!  The past 14 weeks alone I have been the "plus one" for one surgery, one extended hospital stay, a trip to Barnes Hospital and many local visits to hospitals or doctor's offices. 

Because people know I am looking to gather more information, I got a text from a friend stating, "My dad is still in the procedure and has had two balloons (angioplasties) and three stents so far.  One artery was 90% blocked.  Two arteries were 80% blocked and other arteries were 30-40% blocked."  She flew in from the coast to see her dad after symptoms suddenly surfaced and landed him in the hospital.  When I drove to their house to meet the family, we sat down with a cup of coffee, the test results, heart images, and discharge orders.  I thought it would be a routine conversation focusing on the procedure that was done and the medical aspect.  What I got was so much more....a message.  A message about human nature, faith, and tough decisions.  

This was a kind, loving, and God-fearing family.  They began by sharing that this experience was difficult for them as it challenged their thinking.  "John" and his wife "Joan" went into the hospital because John had angina (chest pain).  The doctors ran a resting EKG and blood tests and found that John had not suffered from a heart attack.  But, they wanted to be of the safe side and conduct a stress test where John would run on the treadmill so they could look at heart function under stress.  John and Joan agreed to the test thinking that it wouldn't reveal anything and they could go home.  Once the results of the stress test came back, John and Joan were saddened by what they found.  Three of John's coronary arteries were over 80% blocked and the doctors recommended an immediate intervention.  Most families who have solid insurance and trust in the medical practices quickly let the doctors do whatever procedures need to be done.  However, John and Joan went on to state that although they trusted doctors, they trusted God more. They believed in the power of prayer.  And although they were not part of a church like the Christian Scientists who believe in prayer to heal all, they do believe that God has healed many and continues to be a healer today.  They were faced with a spiritual dilemma.  If they decided to have the medical treatment in full, did that mean that they did not have faith that God could open the vessels?  It was a struggle for them that day and presented them with a difficult decision.  And, they had the right to decline treatment.  Ultimately, they decided to pursue the medical options and trust that God had his hand in the happenings that day and His continued healing from that point forward.  But, I gained a new respect for the whole patient in that moment.  My nursing students need to understand that time should be set aside to listen and understand all that goes into a decision of that nature for patients.  Taking the time to hear the patient's voice and respect their wishes is critical to patient care.  

Although I have valuable test results and patient history information, the lesson learned that week was one that cannot be taught in a book.  Again, I am so thankful for this sabbatical and the time it allows me to reflect on the complexity of the medical profession.  
 

WEEK 13 - "Gardening requires lots of water. Most of it in the form of perspiration." - Lou Erickson

If you step back and think about this question, "what is needed for ____ to thrive?" and you meet all the listed needs, it will thrive!  When I was in the first grade, I had the incorrect believe that plants needed soil to grow.  Without soil, how could a plant grow...correct?  In reality, that is not true.  Plants need several things to survive: sun, carbon dioxide, water, micronutrients (vitamins/minerals) and physical support.  Yes, soil can provide support and contains many micronutrients.  However, the knowledge of what is truly needed to survive is the key to meeting a plant's needs and ensuring rapid and healthy growth.  

photo taken by Toni on her tour of the hydroponic greenhouse

This has been a sabbatical of exploration.  I have read, garnered excitement and gone to "check it out" in the real world.  My last trip, I decided to check out growing practices in the Southeast including hydroponic growing and citrus farming. 

Curiosity and need drive invention!  Publications on the topic of hydroponics date as early as the 1600's.  In the 1930's at the University of California (Berkley), William Frederick Gericke began investigating the topic in detail and published The water-culture method of growing plants without soil.  The paper continued to challenge the thought that soil was required for a plant to grow.  As the years passed, people traveled more and lifestyles changed, people across the globe wanted their fresh vegetables.  But, what were they to do in places such as the beaches near the Pacific Ocean?  There is little to no soil in that region...but, lots of sand to provide physical support.  It was found that if they infused the water with the needed vitamins and minerals, the plants were able to thrive and produce. 

Experiential learning at its best (I even got to eat some of the produce on the tour)

I had the luxury and pleasure of visiting a hydroponic growing greenhouse that had been open for over 30 years.  If you think about it, there is no way to meet the plants' growing needs with distilled water.  When the water is distilled, it simply does not have the vitamins and minerals needed for optimum growth.  Through research, it was discovered that a solution water solution containing a variety of elements and compounds can be formulated and provided to the plant for growth.  

Nutrient solution chart

I was astounded and impressed when I saw the different types of physical support available for the plants if a farmer were to think outside of the box.  

Trellis for support

Sand for support

PVC for support

While on the tour, I kept thinking back to prior questions that caused me pause in my professional career.  I am often asked to describe the differences between a variety of growing practices such as modern/traditional, organic, and hydroponic.  As a follow up question, people often want me to make a judgement call as to which is "best".  Let me start by clarifying what each of the terms actually means.

Citrus farming in the Southeast

• Modern/traditional agriculture often makes use of hybrid (mixed or modified) seeds.  Advanced equipment is used to help the plants grow to their genetic potential with large yields.  Water irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides are used to give the plant an advantage in the field.  When people think of modern agriculture in the  Midwest, they often think of rows of corn or soybeans.  In the Southeast, someone may think of citrus groves.  Both of these are great examples of modern agriculture.
• The term organic has a specific and approved definition.  Most generally, it can be understood that, organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.  An organic production system is one that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.  For example, produced chemical pesticides and herbicides are not used in organic farming practices.
• Hydroponic growing is a growing method that uses nutrient rich solutions and alternative means of physical support to grow plants without soil.  Often times, people confuse hydroponic growing with organic as they envision a completely aseptic environment in a greenhouse that would not need the aid of pesticides.  Yes, if hydroponic growers use the aid of a greenhouse they can more easily grow plants without the aid of pesticides given the highly controlled environment.  However, hydroponic growers are permitted to use pesticides, fertilizers, mineral salts and other inputs that would prevent the grower to claim their product as certified organic.  

So, the question becomes...which growing practice best?  I often break my students into small groups and ask them which of the following foods/situations is best....I am met with each group defining the term "best" differently and coming to a variety of conclusions.  And rightly so!  Each of us makes choices in our lives based on what we feel is best.  The real question becomes, what are your priorities?  Is your family strapped for cash and is cost the primary factor in food choice?  Are you a chef who is interested in taste and presentation?  Are you someone battling disease and your focus is on residues and possible contaminants?  Each of us needs to step back and determine what we want out of our food. 

I can weigh in with my thoughts based solely based on the priorities listed below.  Keep in mind these are my personal opinions...and as such they are not Gospel truth with all produce or in all circumstances. 

COST - If cost is your focus and you want to have the most fresh fruits and vegetables for your dollar, generally, modern agriculture produces a safe foodstuff at a reasonable price.

TASTE - Well, what you prefer as a flavor depends on your palate!  John O'Neil, produce purchaser for the Patina Restaurant Group believes that the hydroponic vegetables are lacking flavor.  While one consumer stated, "Hydroponics have a wonderful flirting mild flavor, unlike the crass overpowering aftertaste of common veggies inoculated with dirt and creepy crawlers." It also depends on the produce consumed and the conditions in which it was grown, stored and prepared.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Organic farming has a focus of sustainable agriculture leaving little/no chemical residue on the land.  As such, it has gotten the most press for its environmental impact.  When looking at hydroponic farming, it allows us to preserve precious water.  Yes, hydroponics grow plants in water...but, in a very controlled environment.  Thus, hydroponic growers can easily recycle the water not absorbed and it can be reused providing a significantly lower water requirement per plant.  Depending on your environmental priorities as an individual, the two options listed here would be a good choice if you are concerned about mother earth.

FOOD SAFETY - Because of the practice of using manure as a fertilizer in organic growing and modern agriculture, hydroponic growing would be the safest way to avoid bugs like E Coli and Salmonella. 

NUTRITION - According to a met-analysis of the evidence comparing organic and traditionally grown products, vitamin C tends to be a little higher but protein tends to be lower when comparing organically grown produce to traditional growing practices.  According to a recent article in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, when looking at a variety of antioxidants, organically grown produce tends to have a greater concentration compared to produce farmed with traditional practices.  Ultimately, the growing conditions themselves have the largest impact on the product.  Nutrient content of the soil or solutions applied to the plants, light exposure, temperature, moisture in the air and more can significantly impact individual nutrients in measurable ways.

HEALTH - Because of the nature of research, there is little research documenting human health in response to consuming foods primarily from one of the above methods.  Unfortunately, not enough is known long term for me to make any recommendations. 


I do feel very passionately about one choice that takes all of the above into consideration....plant your own garden!  Whether it be your own hydroponic garden or backyard raised bed, you never know what you are missing until you dig in and do it.  Gardening is very rewarding and delicious.  Mmmmmm!

Savannah and Clayton in 2009 with our garden veggies

WEEK 12 - "Unlike curing cancer or heart disease, we already know how to beat hunger: food" - Mario Batali

Discussing problems is one thing.  Having an in-depth conversation about those problems while trying to come up with a solution is another...and it is empowering.  This week, I met with a former colleague to look at creating resources for teachers and doctors who are attempting to identify food insecurities amongst families in Champaign County. It is often unidentified, although very widespread.  According to Map the Meal Gap, food insecurity is a condition where a "household has limited or uncertain access to adequate food".  The U.S. Census Bureau's 2011 and 2012 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates state that the child poverty rate in Champaign County is 22%.  That means that nearly 1/4 of the children in our county could struggle with getting adequate food.  To me, that is a real concern.  Not one that I can just sit around and talk about, but one I would love to find a solution.  As stated in many recovery programs, the first step is realizing there is a problem.  Agreed!  We took that approach and we are writing a grant to help train those who see the children (teachers and doctors) identify if a food insecurity is present by noting some critical features.  

If they identify that the child does not have adequate access (availability) to food, they would then direct the child to a healthy and available food source.  One solution is to have a food pantry at the school for the child to take what they need for their family for the day.  Meeting the child's needs quickly and in a real/meaningful way is needed.  Merely letting him know that you have identified their food insecurity and then giving him websites for help is not the best solution.  The children need to be fed when they are hungry.  If they are hungry now, we need to feed them now. 

We will find out if the grant is approved soon...if it is approved, I will write more and share in detail what we will be doing.  :-) 

WEEK 11 - "I think that parents have a right to expect that their kids will be served fresh, healthy food that meets high nutritional standards." - Michelle Obama

The past few years I have been busy a full time job, volunteerism and life in general.  I felt like I did not have enough time to investigate the many changes in the field of nutrition and kinesiology.  With that in mind, one of the  main goals of my sabbatical was to gain current examples and bring them back to the classroom and community.  I just returned from a School Nutrition Association conference in South Carolina.  My sabbatical activities this week demonstrated that I had a lot that I needed to learn with respect to the powerful and positive changes that have occurred in the school lunch programs in the very recent past.  

The topic of school lunches hits close to home for me as I am mother of two children who participate in the school lunch program.  It has always been something that I have been passionate about and speak on the topic through the Parkland Speaker's Bureau.  In 2008 was when both my kids started eating school lunch.  I saw what they kids were eating in school cafeterias and was inspired to redesign my BIO 120 (Fundamentals of Nutrition) class at Parkland College to take on the challenge of making a healthy lunch for under $3 that elementary school students would gladly eat.  I provided my Parkland students with the nutrition guidelines, taught them healthy food handling, demonstrated calculations needed for them to determine if their meal met the guidelines and then created a forum for an Iron Chef type competition with the elementary school kids as the judges. 

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2008-11-19/parkland-students-try-make-healthy-lunches-kids.html

 From the News Gazette article highlighting the nutrition competition, "Finding something kids like is important", said Washington art teacher Shauna Carey.  "I can't believe how much food these kids throw away," Carey said. "They look at the plate and they may eat one thing and throw the rest away. Then they spend the rest of the day hungry. The whole idea of making stuff that's visually attractive to them and that they like is huge."

  
So it is more complex than just making a healthy lunch!  Individuals involved in the school lunch programs need to think about many things.  A short list of things to consider when introducing a new meal or snack at a school:

• student acceptance of the food (if they don't like it, they won't eat it)
• cost (even it it is healthy, if it costs too much, it can't be served)
• preparation time (some schools have very short lunches...less than 30 minutes)
• nutrition guidelines 

With respect to nutrition guidelines, Michelle Obama is one of many influential individuals pressing for positive change in the school lunch options available for children.  As posted on the USDA website, "Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by the First Lady and signed by President Obama, USDA made the first major changes in school meals in 15 years, which will help us raise a healthier generation of children.  The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America's schools.  These responsible reforms do what's right for children's health in a way that is achievable in schools across the Nation."  I am impressed at how quickly change has happened and I was excited to go to the conference to learn more! 

I had the unique pleasure of attending the School Nutrition Association conference with a friend who works for a food manufacturing company.  It was thought provoking to see the conference from both sides: as an attendee learning alongside school decision makers and helping on the showroom floor with the food production companies.  Although media hype sensationalizes school lunch options, honestly things have come a long way from when I was in school eating the rectangle pizza, french fries and a warm chocolate milk for lunch.  The conference was a wonderful forum for school officials, those interested in nutritional health of children and producers to gather and learn together.  I learned about the specific cost nutrition and other guidelines in place with schools for both meals and snacks.  For example, this academic year was huge as the USDA began requiring schools who were selling snacks a la carte to meet all Smart Snack guidelines.  In the past, students could easily purchase donuts, fruit flavored candies and regular colas to "fuel" their growing bodies.  Now that the new standards are in place, better choices such as roasted nuts, granola bars and fruit cups are readily available for students.  

http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks

But, the question still remains for some...will they like or even prefer the healthier food options?  I have the guts to say, YES THEY WILL!  That is if we get them involved and bring them to the table.  I have a presentation entitled: Fun With Food.  The target audience is children between 6 and 13 years old.  The presentation is in actuality a game show that gets kids involved on several levels.  I begin by sharing strange facts, poems, songs and more about the food they eat.  We move on to questions like, "what fruit juice contains fat?" where the kids have multiple choice options presented to them and they get to use iClickers to record in their answer.  Once we discuss the question and what their responses were, I explain that coconut juice is the correct answer and the kids get brought a small tasting cup with coconut juice.  When they get involved in the question, discuss the answer, curiosity peaks about a new food, they see me get excited about consuming the foodstuff (and sharing how delicious I think it is), they try it, and repeatedly I have observed over 90% acceptance of foods like soynuts, mangoes, coconut milk.  Kids even enjoy prunes if they are presented properly.  I have had kids say that prunes taste like cinnamon apple butter in an easy to eat package and many ask to have second helpings (I stop them at third helpings as I don't want a prune filled kid sent home and me getting a letter about their bowels the next day).   

Traditionally, I teach college nutrition in a standard classroom setting.  Many semesters I teach primarily using PPT presentations, videos, discussions and a white board....and that is what is happening in the elementary schools.  Nutrition is taught in health classes while the kids sit in a desk taking notes.  Teachers discuss the human body while watching videos about how it works.  But, what if we could instead challenge ourselves to think outside the box and look at how we make nutrition education fun and meaningful?  Could we teach about nutrition through experiential learning during lunch allowing students to try new foods at little or no cost to them?  What if kids were prompted to critically evaluate their lunch choices through discussion as they eat?  Why can't we use the new Smart Snack guidelines to introduce math during the lunch hour and demonstrate how to read a nutrition label?  These are critical skills in life.  Few subjects in school affect a person daily and have lifelong implications....nutrition is one of them.  Let's teach it as if it matters.  We should get into the lunch rooms of those kids at a young age and really make an impact.  Who is with me?   

WEEK 10 - "The difference between someone who is in shape, and someone who is not in shape, is the individual who is in shape works out even when they do not want to."

WHERE SHOULD I WORKOUT?  That is a question that is as personal as WHO SHOULD I DATE?   I don't have one blanket answer that fits all people.  Read the blog below to learn about some local facilities...maybe even go on a few speed dates by visiting them at least once! 

Upon graduation, I have many kinesiology students explain to me that they are applying for jobs at every fitness facility in the area.  I look at them inquisitively as I am not sure that is the best approach for them or the facility.  In the same vain, I have had managers of fitness facilities share with me that they hired someone, but quickly realized that it was not a good fit because the new hire did not share their philosophy.  Further, I have colleagues and community members regularly inquire as to which gym they should join.  I felt like information was missing out there.  I stepped back to reflect on how I could help in a small way.  My solution was to go to many of the facilities in the area, tour, interview the manager, workout on site, and get a feel for what they were all about.  What makes their facility unique?  What may make it an excellent fit for a prospective hire or client?  Below are some of my insights on a few places I visited the past couple weeks. Note the facilities are in alphabetical order, not order of preference or grouped in any way.  

CHARTER FITNESS: I was immediately impressed by the clean, comfortable and affordable facility.  I was greeted by Adam Dukes who met with me and explained to me that although they were amongst the most reasonably priced in the area (as low as $10 a month for the most basic membership) the facility is focused on a quality workout rather than getting people to sign up.  He showed me around the facility as I asked what makes this facility unique.  He brought me back to the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Studio and explained that the people that pay a little extra for the HIIT training with a personal trainer really bond and it is a good time for all.  Adam encouraged people to stop by for a 1 week trial pass to see for yourself!  

HIT STUDIO AT CHARTER FITNESS IN CHAMPAIGN

CURVES: Jan Smith met me with a smile at the door at Curves in Mahomet.  She is not just an individual working the front desk, she is the owner and truly believes in Curves and has seen firsthand the benefits it has provided her, friends, clients and others around the world (yes, they are worldwide).  She shared with me the philosophy of the facility, "Curves is a Woman's Fitness Facility.  It is the only facility with exercise, meal planning and one-on-one coaching in one place fully customizable and personalized.  Plus, now we are a sister business with Jenny Craig for those needing a personalized prescribed structured menu plan.  In either case our weight management is based on behavior changes."  They have a circuit based system with machines that are appropriate for any physical ability.  Individuals working out at Curves get personalized attention from the staff using the three C's: Correct, Compel and Celebrate.  Members can use an electronic key as they workout that will track their progress and show them how they are doing.  I saw that it is a supportive atmosphere that could be a good fit for women of all ages...they even have mother/daughter discounts!  

OWNERS AND BELIEVERS WORKING OUT AT THE CURVES IN MAHOMET

FITNESS CENTER: As I walked into the door, there were a group of older individuals relaxing and having a cup of coffee prior to their upcoming group fitness class.  They were laughing as if this were a local hangout for them.  I approached the front desk where two trainers had smiles on their faces and were more than happy to share with me the many group fitness, personal training, martial arts and other options they offer (on top of a traditional gym facility).  Eight or more different group fitness classes are offered each weekday with a variety of classes focusing on strength, mind/body, cardio and a fusion of strength/cardio.  Ryan Jones oversees the personal trainers stating that there are so many options offered that it meets the needs of anyone from a teen through their late 90's!  He went on to say that they offer a family friendly environment that allows any level of experience to enjoy their workout and make a few friends along the way.  Whether it is your first time in a gym or you are a seasoned lifter, they offer a unique atmosphere where anybody and everybody can enjoy.  It is no wonder this gym has been open with success for over 37 years.  I decided to try something different and went to their Silver Sneakers 10:40am class.  It had 15+ members in the class.  Many of the older members actually get a gym membership for free through select insurance providers who encourage physical activity.  Although many of the exercises in the Silver Sneakers class were conducted while sitting or using a chair for balance, the instructor challenged all of us (even me)...I can say it was a good workout!  But, the Fitness Center does not cater to an older clientele alone.  They meet all needs with their many options shared above.  What stands out making this facility unique is The Grid which is a bootcamp style workout pushing individuals with challenging functional movement training exercises.

GRID TRAINING AT THE FITNESS CENTER

GRID TRAINING AT THE FITNESS CENTER

FitTek:  If a picture is worth 1000 words, a video must be worth more...right?  I had the pleasure of meeting the owner if Fit Tek and having her share a tour of the facility as well as what makes them unique (a focus on ergonomics and body balance).  She is one of the most knowledgeable individuals I have come in contact with in the field of Egoscue as a means of body posture therapy.  Truly educational!  Check out the videos: 

METTLER CENTER: It is a very diverse facility with high standards and a focus on customer services.  It is very professional yet comfortable to the clients and offers options that few fitness facilities do.  They have an educational kitchen, physical therapists and registered dieticians on staff, hot yoga, Jazzercise and more!  You could truly spend most of your day at the facility focusing on self-care and health.  The staff is caring and sincere while truly dedicated to fitness and living wellness...they practice what they preach!  Currently, they are celebrating physical therapy month.  They share in their October newsletter, "There is an understanding that each person who comes through our door has unique needs and potential limitations or health challenges we need to be mindful of." 


RAW FITNESS:  Danny Iniquez has a true passion for what he does and helping those around him.  That is what spurred him to open his own facility focusing on "fitness through fundamentals" where you can come to his facility to correct faulty movement patterns that may cause pain and/or energy leaks.  He agreed to have me visit his facility if I saw it firsthand and participated as a client.  I happily agreed as I love a good challenge...and that was what I got!  Throughout the workout, he pointed out where I may be tight and need improvement.  He focuses on each person with personal feedback correcting body posture while keeping track of his clients each step of the way writing their accomplishments up on the white board.  My muscles were sore for the next few days...the sign of a great workout!  Check out more about his facility: 

REFINERY:  Refinery is a private club that focuses on members first.  If you are into weight lifting and finding other like  minded lifters, they have more weights and equipment than any other private gym in town.  They offer many of the Les Mills workouts as well as many other challenging workout options with their group fitness classes.  As one of the few gyms that offers all of the following: childcare, a snack bar, and a wet sauna, you have few excuses not to workout if you are a member. 

I will be investigating more facilities throughout my sabbatical.  Feel free to e-mail me any suggested locations you think I should visit.  :-)  I am always looking to learn and share more with those around me.
  

WEEK 9 - "Epidemiologists prefer causal relationships."

The Mediterranean diet is based on epidemiological (population) studies.  The Nurse's Health Study is a longitudinal study looking at causal relationships between behavior and health.  And currently, there are many more studies at Tufts investigating populations such as the Baltimore Study on Aging and the Jackson Heart Study.  Nutritional epidemiology and chronic disease epidemiology have been studied for decades and help form hypotheses that mold our understanding of health and wellness.  But, I caution people not to take the results from such studies as Gospel truth.  In my classes, I make light of drawing too strong a conclusion when looking at epidemiological data alone.  For example, in my Fundamentals of Nutrition course, I challenge students' thinking by starting with the following question: Do all "population trends" have a cause and effect relationship?  

For the most part, the class can agree that the answer should be "no".  Although there is a correlation, there may not be causation.  I go on to joke about heart disease as it is correlated to fat and alcohol consumption.  Comparatively:

• Japanese eat less fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than British or Americans.
• French eat a higher % of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than British or Americans.
• Japanese drink less red wine but suffer fewer heart attacks than British or Americans. 
• French drink more red wine but suffer fewer heart attacks than British or Americans.
• Germans drink more beer, eat more high fat sausages and suffer fewer heart attacks than British or Americans.

If we were basing a conclusion on correlation alone, the conclusion could be: We can eat as much fat and drink alcohol as much or little as we like; it is speaking English that is apparently linked to heart disease.

 But, I also want to state that I believe that there is great value in epidemiological studies setting the foundation of further research and investigation or as a means for us to draw conclusions about a specific population under a specific set of circumstances.  It is an amazing first step to scientific discovery.  It is the basis for much of the nutrition and exercise physiology research today.  Scientists start by observing trends in populations.  The scientists then write grants to ask for funding.  If the grant is approved, the scientific researcher will design a study to look at a cause and effect relationship.  The more research is done on a topic, the more the body of evidence grows to support the hypothesis.  

This past week, I was fortunate enough to work with research teams and firefighters at the University of Illinois investigating cognition before and after a blaze (extreme physical exertion, heat stress, etc.).  The firefighters at the Illinois Fire Service Institute were chosen for this research as the results apply directly to their population as a whole.  It is of utmost importance that rapid and accurate decisions are made when fighting a fire....lives depend on it!  I watched as the subjects conducted several cognitive tasks prior to the blaze.

 Once they completed the pre-testing, they got in their gear, completed an hour long drill involving putting out a three story fire while saving the lives of dummies, and then returned to the classroom for cognitive post-testing.  The firefighters were spent.  Several men had to stop while returning to the classroom to vomit or heave.  Beads of sweat dripped off of their face and they looked like a horse that was rode hard and put away wet.  In short, they were exhausted.  

I continued the conversation with the researchers about their current research design, what they wanted to do with the findings of this study and more.  But, most interestingly to me was my reflection of the tangental conversation that resulted while we watched the building burn and the firefighters extinguish the blase.  We began to discuss the alarming rate of heart attacks among firefighters who are in the line of duty.   According to an article published in Cardiology in Review, "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of on-duty death among firefighters (45% of on-duty fatalities) and a major cause of morbidity."  Surprisingly, heart attacks kill more firefighters on duty than fires!  The researchers and I went on to discuss chronic disease and how it is not diet alone, exercise alone, or a lack of stress that decrease your chances of suffering from a chronic disease like heart disease...but, you need pay attention to this trifecta and make positive life choices on all three fronts to decrease your chances of cardiovascular disease.  

It fascinates me to look at the path this sabbatical has taken me and the lessons I have learned.  They are all causing me great pause and each new experience I encounter can be shared with a lesson.