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WOMEN LEARN BETTER HEALTH THROUGH SIMPLE STEPS

By Judy Normand/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, October 30, 2009 10:48 AM CDT

Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Health Week continued Thursday as approximately 150 women enjoyed lunch at the Pine Bluff Country Club, while learning a thing or two from an expert about how to begin living healthier lives — simply.

Jill Fleming, author of “Thin People Don’t Clean Their Plates: Simple Lifestyle Choices for Permanent Weight Loss,” speaks Thursday afternoon at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

Guest speaker Jill Fleming of Wisconsin, a registered dietitian, mother of three, motivational speaker and author of “Thin People Don’t Clean Their Plates: Simple Lifestyle Choices for Permanent Weight Loss,” is uniquely qualified to expound on the subject of her book. She’s lost 40 pounds and has kept it off for nearly 20 years by making simple choices and following through, she said, with minimal suffering.

Fleming’s advice included paying attention to breakfast (it really is the most important meal of the day and nearly any food will do, including graham crackers, cheese and fruit); eat lots of fruits and vegetables high in water content (of which you need at least eight cups per day to mobilize fat cells and oxygen); snack with nuts and cheese; incorporate healthy foods with your own favorites; and, don’t diet.

“Diets don’t work. Thin people don’t diet,” Fleming said. “The all-or-nothing mentality is what is causing you to gain weight; not lose it. Americans are overfed and undernourished, so we need to go from quantity to quality.”

To reach healthy living goals, Fleming said simple things were the best. However, people should prepare to travel a little way out of their comfort zones — new foods, more exercise — when beginning a new health regimen.

In addition to enjoying healthy foods, Fleming said, exercise is key and, ideally, should be done in the mornings.

She advised everyone to grab their alarm clocks and move them to the bathroom. Likewise, gather clothes to throw on for morning exercise and place the pile near the toilet. (Less chance of eyeing that warm, comfortable bed and being tempted to return for another quick snooze before the wake-up bends and stretches.) An exercise routine should be done about four or five days a week for about a half-hour. Breathing, she said, is also good.

“Most people don’t breathe deeply. Just breathe in for a five-count; hold it for five seconds; exhale to the count of five. You’ll be surprised how much more focused you’ll be,” she said.

Other advice from the nutritionist was to spend some time laughing — it not only burns calories, she said, but alleviates stress.

Featured in several magazines, including Prevention, Family Circle, Woman’s World, Men’s Muscle & Fitness, Woman’s Health & Fitness, Low Carb Energy, About Health Magazine and online at Prevention.com, HealthNewsDigest.com and MSN.com, Fleming was also the cover girl for Woman’s World magazine in 2005.

To learn more about Fleming and her book, visit www.jillfleming.com.

Women’s Health Week continues today at the JRMC White Hall Health Complex in White Hall with an all-day Happy Hour. On Saturday, the health complex will also be the venue as Code Pink Boot Camp is held.

Details: Call JRMC at 541-7635.

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