March 2, 2013
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f the sparkle you see in MARY DUPREY’S eyes is any indication of the energy and passion she puts into PLATTSBURGH’S BIGGEST LOSERS, her participants better watch out; their lives are about to change! We visited the City Recreation Gym last week and were blown away by the camaraderie, determination and results of this program. Based on the NBC reality show, Plattsburgh’s Biggest Loser, directed by Mary Duprey, combines exercise, nutrition and accountability into a very successful weight loss and life changing program. Biggest Loser begins each fall with an application process. Forty to 50 applications are received by program coaches and col-
lectively they choose the top 25. High blood pressure, diabetes, family history of obesity, heart disease, joint replacements, depression, inability to lead an active family life and infertility are just a few of the physical and emotional reasons that people give as to why they want to participate. Candidates are carefully chosen; weight loss is one factor for consideration; but primarily by candidates having the commitment to creating a healthy life. The six month program kicks off with the Heart Walk. Following the Heart Walk, the bonding begins – group members weigh in and each participant shares the story of how they came to be part of The Biggest Loser’s Club. Biggest Losers continues with two workouts a week sprinkled with guest speakers on nutrition,
fitness, and inspiration. Workouts have great variety and a fun flair such as the number of crunches equals the combined age of the group! Some members of the group join to regain mobility after an injury or illness; some members have permanent physical limitations. The point is to move as you are able. PSUC faculty and staff provide nutritional consultation. Members have created a private Facebook group and this connection keeps them engaged with optional activities in building the habits of an active lifestyle. Certified personal trainers and past participants are the coordinators and leaders, providing creative expertise and active weight loss role models. Jenn LeCuyer serves as the program coordinator for “Walking the Walk.” She has lost 70 pounds and her husband, Jamie, is an “honorary” member, having lost 170 pounds! So far, the biggest loser in their program has lost 110 lbs! Although the loss of one to two pounds per week is the goal, the group also focuses on “non-scale” victories; someone can wear their wedding ring again, another has gained mobility that they’d lost 10 years ago, another is off high blood pressure meds and is no longer diabetic. Climbing a flight of stairs is another victory to boast about! Movement and a positive sense of self are the goals—applause and laughter are the background music to this program. We met Mary, a Certified Personal Trainer, at one of our favorite haunts in Plattsburgh, HOT YOGA! Being a big believer in cross training, Mary is the fit dynamo behind this program. She recently accomplished a dream by receiving her Master’s degree in exercise science. She and her husband set up runs and Mary also hosts a workplace wellness program at Pfizer! No question that she’s a go-to-gal for inspiration and assistance in getting your own wellness program going. She can be reached at 2972192. OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: (Mary’s too!!) Don’t be extreme; weight loss and wellness are a life-long process and your personal regimen needs to be manageable and doable on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. Get moving; 10 to 15 minutes a day is something that everyone can commit to! Begin to eliminate processed foods, one food at a time…and shop around the perimeter of the grocery store, that’s where you’ll find the healthiest choices. Walk the stairs, park further out, move in any way that you can….you get the idea! Now, get going! Sally Meisenheimer and Michele Armani visit our website at www.yourstyleandsubstance.com and check out our blog at borderlessnorth.org
Mental health support offered by NAMI Forum to help families cope with a relative’s mental disorder
By Katherine Clark
katherine@denpubs.com PLATTSBURGH — Living with the constant challenges of a family member with a mental illness is very difficult. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Champlain Valley would like to offer these families their services. NAMI will host a free Family to Family educational program for families who have loved ones with mental illness with the first of 12 forums beginning on March 6 through May 22. The programs will be held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the NAMI offices, 14 Healy Ave. Theresa Bennett, board member with NAMI and certified Family to Family instructor, said the program is designed for family members of people with a mental illness to get together to learn about coping mechanisms, empathy training for understanding how the world looks and sounds through the eyes of someone suffering from an illness and to offer a place just for them. “The most important factor to be learned is the basic belief that this is an organic brain disorder, centered in the brain as heart disease centers in the heart,” Bennett said. “We have many services but this program is just for family members to have a safe place to learn and share frustrations and
concerns with people who may share their experiences.” The program is designed to be a safe place where families of those affected by mental illness can vent and learn from others how to manage. The free, 12-week program will cover a range of topics including current information on major brain disorders; the latest information about medications, including side effects and strategies for promoting medication adherence; information about the most effective treatments available, what to do in a crisis; how to handle the hospitalization of loved ones, and relapse; problem solving and communication skills; advocating for a loved one; how to work with professionals; and lastly taking care of themselves so caretakers are better able to help a loved one. For Bennett, the journey with NAMI began when she sought guidance for learning about mental illness when a close member of her family was going through a rough time. “Their services were wonderful for us, there is no intake, they don’t ask personal information before they help you, you can call and get help and be off the phone in two min-
utes and sometimes that is all you have when someone you are caring for is having a hard time,” Bennett said. Her family member sought treatment and eventually went through recovery. Afterward Bennett said she had a strong desire to start looking for ways to help other people going through what she and her family went through and became certified with NAMI National. For more information about the program or to register call 561-2685 ext. 10 or register by email at namiofv@aol.com.
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Fri., March 1 -Thurs., March 7, 2013
21 and Over (R) 10:00AM • 12:45PM 2:55PM • 5:05PM 7:30PM • 9:45PM A Good Day to Die Hard (R) 10:00AM • 1:00PM • 3:10PM 5:25PM • 7:35PM • 9:45PM Argo (R) 10:00AM • 12:50PM • 3:50PM 7:15PM • 9:50PM Dark Skies (PG13) 10:00AM • 12:55PM • 3:15PM 5:30PM • 7:45PM • 10:00PM Escape From Planet Earth (RealD 3D) (PG) 1:00PM • 3:05PM 7:20PM • 9:30PM Escape From Planet Earth (PG) 10:00AM • 12:00PM • 5:10PM Identity Thief (R) 10:00AM • 12:10PM • 2:35PM 5:00PM • 7:25PM • 9:50PM Jack The Giant Slayer (RealD 3D) (PG13) 12:05PM • 5:05PM • 7:35PM Jack The Giant Slayer (PG13) 10:00AM • 2:35PM • 10:05PM Phantom (R) 10:00AM • 12:45PM • 3:05PM 5:15PM • 7:25PM • 9:35PM Safe Haven (PG13) 10:00AM • 2:20PM • 4:50PM 7:20PM • 9:50PM Silver Linings Playbook (R) 12:30PM • 3:30PM • 6:50PM 9:30PM Snitch (PG13) 10:00AM • 12:05PM • 2:30PM 5:00PM • 7:30PM • 9:55PM The Last Exorcism Part 11 (PG13) 10:00AM • 12:05PM • 2:05PM 4:05PM • 6:05PM • 8:05PM 10:05PM 10AM Shows are Wednesday Only
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