In case you missed it, “The Biggest Loser” kicked off their eighth season September 15 with their two hour season premier. This season’s contestants are among the biggest ever with weights ranging from 250 to 480 pounds. Returning for season eight are trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper.
Now, I must admit, in the past I rarely missed an episode. In fact, for the Beard family, watching “The Biggest Loser” had become a bit of a family ritual. Unfortunately it seems that with each new season the producers of the show have made a conscious decision to push the envelope of good taste and common sense further and further. With the premier of season eight, it would appear to me that they have pushed that envelope too far.
Season eight’s premier saw one contestant air lifted to the hospital unresponsive after the first challenge of running the final mile from season seven’s marathon proved to be too much for her. And then there was the gym workouts where Jillian demonstrated her apparently limited vocabulary by screaming and cursing repeatedly in the face of one of the contestants. Maybe Jillian, or perhaps more correctly the producers, feel that this type of trainer-contestant interaction is edgy and what America wants to see. Personally, I think her behavior was appalling and not representative of how real fitness professionals interact with their clients.
Just for the record, I understand that “The Biggest Loser” is reality television - and, as such, sensationalism will win over substance ever time. I do think it’s interesting however that realty TV has very little to do with reality. Yes, it may be provocative TV when trainer Bob leans over a contestant who looks as if they are seconds from passing out and screams at them “I’m saving your life. Now keep going,” but it’s lousy personal training.
Contestants vomiting from a workout really ought to be a clue to Bob and Jillian that their program design is poor and inappropriate. Instead, they seem proud of the fact that they made an out of shape, overweight contestant vomit. If Bob and Jillian worked in the real world, I have to believe they would do things differently. At least, I hope they would. The role of a personal trainer is not only to design an appropriate and safe program for their client; but, to empower that client to take responsibility for their health and fitness so that they can achieve their goals. I don’t know of anyone who is empowered by being put down and belittled by the very person who should be encouraging them most.
At Fitness Together of East Orlando I have trainers who understand this. Trainers who continually demonstrate they are some of the finest fitness professionals you will find anywhere, who consistently get more out of our clients than our clients think they have to give. And never have they done that by yelling, cursing or belittling a client. Part of encouraging and empowering our clients is ensuring that they have realistic expectations of what can be achieved and the time frames required. At Fitness Together we do not have clients losing 15 pounds of weight per week like you see on “The Biggest Loser” (that in and of itself is a topic for another article). What we do have are individuals who are learning week by week how to incorporate healthy lifestyle habits into their lives so that the results they achieve are maintained long-term - in the real world.
I won’t be watching anymore episodes of “The Biggest Loser.” I guess it’s time for the Beard family to create a new family ritual. Maybe instead of us watching others workout, it’s time for a little family workout. What about you?
Article by Glenn C. Beard, PT
Interested in learning how you can achieve real world results in an environment where you’ll be positively encouraged and empowered to achieve more than you thought possible? If so, call Glenn at 407-208-0620 to schedule a no obligation, free fitness consultation.Glenn is the owner/operator of Fitness Together of East Orlando. To learn more about his private 1-on-1 personal training studio or to take advantage of a FREE training session and fitness consultation visit www.FTorlando.com or call 407-208-0620. The studio is located at 11317 Lake Underhill Rd., Suite 500 (across from Legacy Middle School). You can also email Glenn at glennbeard@fitnesstogether.com.
As budgets continue to shrink at the county level, many local businesses have stepped up their efforts to support schools in their surrounding area. One such partnership has flourished between Avalon Park business SOHO Office, formerly SOHO Hero, and Avalon Middle School. This month, SOHO Office is sponsoring their first annual school supply drive for the school.
Jennifer Housewright, owner of SOHO Office and Avalon Park resident, is an avid supporter of Avalon Middle School in addition to being a Partner in Education with them. “I wanted to take the opportunity to organize a school supply drive for the school as a way to give back to the students, teachers and faculty,” she says. “A quality education is so vital for these kids as they grow older, I wanted to do everything possible to give them the chance to succeed.” Housewright is hoping to entice the residents of Avalon Park and the surrounding neighborhoods by using her storefront as a drop-off point for school supplies throughout the month of October while offering a special discount for those who make a purchase while dropping off supplies.
“We’ll be offering a mystery percent off your total purchase when you bring in a donation of school supplies,” says Housewright. “Or, if you choose, you can have the dollar amount that you would’ve saved donated toward school supplies that SOHO Office will purchase and present to Avalon Middle School. The idea, she says, is to offer an incentive to purchase more supplies for the students. “Sometimes donating just isn’t enough, so the percentage off is a way to hopefully get even more residents and businesses on board with the cause,” she says.
All school supplies are welcome during the drive, which ends October 31, 2009. Some items of greatest need are: one to three inch ring notebooks, notebook paper, packs of pencils and colored pencils, non-electric pencil sharpeners, erasers, two pocket folders and white and colored copy paper.
“With the support of the community, we hope that Avalon Middle won’t have to worry about school supplies for a long, long time,” says Housewright.
To donate supplies or to learn more, call SOHO Office at 407.482.0662, visit them online by clicking here or stop by their store located at 3564 Avalon Park Blvd E. Suite 1, Orlando, FL 32828.
Article by Corey Gehrold
University High School is known as a place of education and companionship to its students, but for people in the community it has become a source of volunteers and support. Although it’s a graduation requirement for students to volunteer, there is an abundance of students who have gone above and beyond these requirements.
One award-winning program that University offers is Students Against Destructive Decisions or SADD. According to the Principal Douglas Guthrie, SADD is all about awareness. “SADD is meant to spread awareness of adolescent issues such as substance abuse and violence,” he says. This is an important resource for many students struggling with issues they may not feel comfortable talking to their parents about. Blood drives have also become a staple at the school thanks to Student Government. The Big Red Bus will come to campus allowing students and faculty can donate during school hours. It’s a great help to the community, and gives the students a chance to make a difference without having to travel out of their way.
In collaboration with the University of Central Florida, University High School holds a Hispanic Heritage free concert series. “The series spreads awareness of Hispanic culture by providing free musical performances to the general public,” says Guthrie. One student group has created an unique club known as Cougars Care Sew Much. The club knits and sews blankets and quilts to donate to other organizations in need. This is not only a fun way to pass time to students, but it fills a vital need for many organizations who cater to the less fortunate and homeless.
The students not only help the community, but their fellow schools as well. The Student Government Association and the Drama Department have recently reached out to Riverdale Elementary School to read and act out stories for the younger students on a regular basis.
All the volunteer efforts made by the students are mutually beneficial. “Our students learn the importance of helping others, and by doing so, gain a deeper understanding of the potential that they have and how every contribution counts,” says Guthrie. “Putting their talents and time to use serving others builds self esteem in students, which ultimately keeps them away from negative influences.”
The result is a student body striving to build a better community for past, present and future University High School Cougars.
Article by Stephanie Osman
As consumers, when you want to do business with a particular brand, what is the determining factor? Is it location? Quality? Trust? For most, it’s a combination of all of the above, especially in the financial arena. Your financial institution has to be there for you, your family and your community. That’s why Martin Federal Credit Union puts such a large focus on building meaningful, quality relationships with their members first and then expanding as necessary, like they’ve just done with their new branch across from Legacy Middle School on Lake Underhill Road,which is scheduled to have a grand opening on November 6, 2009.
Today Martin Federal is a community chartered credit union meaning anyone who works, worships or attends school in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and parts of Citrus County can become a member.
Martin understands that clients should come first and they have since they were first formed in 1978. “We pride ourselves on the credit union philosophy of people helping people,” says Debbie Bullock, vice president of marketing for Martin Federal Credit Union. “Martin Federal started that way and we continue to work the same today.”
Today Martin is a community chartered credit union meaning anyone who works, worships or attends school in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and parts of Citrus County can become a member. Martin Federal offers traditional financial products and services such as checking, savings and money market accounts as well as most loan solutions including new and used auto, first mortgages and home equity loans - at rates typically lower than traditional banks.
Martin Federal Credit Union Member Service Specialists Samantha Slatcoff and Myriam Rivera look over the state-of-the-art computer system at the credit union's concierge desk at their new branch located on Lake Underhill Road.
In addition to a full product offering and low rates, Bullock says that their dedication to relationships is key to what sets Martin apart. “We build relationships with our members and they become part of our family. You don’t find that many places today,” she says. Martin employees, like Samantha Slatcoff, member service specialist at the new Lake Underhill branch, agree: “Everyone is in it for the members, it’s very refreshing,” she says. “You can tell the focus is on them and we do everything we can to help.”
Member Service Specialist Heather Boozer helps direct Martin Federal Credit Union members to the right department ensuring their question are answered as quickly as possible.
To this day Martin continues to innovate the way in which members are served utilizing a combination of common sense and technology. New Martin Federal branches, like the one on Lake Underhill Road, offer windowless drive-throughs. Guests and Member Service Specialists, Martin Federal’s version of tellers, will communicate via intuitive screens to help eliminate errors and speed up response time. “This branch has a lot of new member-first features,” says Linda Bufis, manager of the new Martin Federal branch. “We’ll be able to serve all the members on this side of town like never before.”
Inside the new branch, members will experience a state-of-the-art facility that combines an entirely new concept for Martin Federal. “Members will be greeted as they enter our doors and will be taken to one of our teller pods or Dialog Stations,” says Bullock. The pods are very different from typical teller windows normally found in credit unions or bank lobbies in that they allow for open conversation between the credit union representative and the member. “They allow the member to stand side-by-side with our employees - there are no walls or barriers,” she says. “This helps us have more open, face-to-face conversations ultimately helping us build stronger relationships with our members.”
Myriam Rivera assists a Martin Federal Credit Union member at the Lake Underhill branch's new Dialog Stations. The stations are designed to eliminate separation between employees and members, creating a more personal, face-to-face interaction.
Martin also believes in building a solid foundation for the community of tomorrow. Being Central Florida based, they have a pulse on what matters most to this region and, as such, have continually stepped up their community involvement over the past several years, according to Bullock. “While individually we each have a cause that we hold near and dear, we schedule several events every year that allow us to all participate together,” she says. From fundraisers helping children with special needs to charity walks, Martin Federal continually raises awareness and funds for causes that enrich the Central Florida community.
For Martin Federal, being successful is about more than just business, it’s about a philosophy. “Although it may sound cliché, we truly do not treat you as just a number here,” says Bullock. “Our members are our family and we’re in business to help them achieve their life dreams.”
Article by Corey Gehrold
Interested in opening an account or leaning more about Martin Federal Credit Union?
Join them for their new Lake Underhill branch Grand Opening on November 6, 2009.
Martin Federal Credit Union
11411 Lake Underhill Road
Orlando, FL 32825
407.857.6328 - www.MartinFCU.org
When you picture your neighbors in East Orlando, you may think of the young couple down the street or your friends and family across town. Those not often considered are the diverse population of homeless individuals that live among us. For these neighbors, help and resources are scarce.
Recently a daytime drop-in center was proposed to help the homeless, although the center’s location has been one of heated controversy.
The proposed East Orlando center is a necessity to help the homeless however, according to Cathy Jackson, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. “We can see that the number of homeless camps have gone up over the last couple of years, with many in East Orlando,” she says. “Throughout the region we’re seeing about a 20 percent population increase from years past.” At night, there is an enormous shortage of beds for the estimated 8,900 homeless individuals throughout the Central Florida region.
Throughout the region there has been a 20 percent homeless population increase from years past, many of which are in East Orlando.
According to Jackson, there has also been an increase in the number of first time homeless in the area. “A few years ago, 60 percent of the homeless population had been homeless before for six months to over a year,” she says. “This year it was reversed. Roughly 45 percent had been homeless for three months or less.”
In East Orlando, there are almost no services for the homeless population. “The folks who find themselves homeless in this part of the county tend to be uncomfortable coming downtown for services,” Jackson says. “Partly because they don’t have transportation and party because there is a difference in culture.”
Advocates, like Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church Pastor Jeff Linman, agree. “The issue is that people are living out here and living in the woods behind many neighborhoods. Going downtown is like going to a foreign land for them,” he says. “They stay here because they feel safer and therefore are isolated from the services available downtown. We want to help them.” Linman also leads a group of area churches called Converge that addresses community services, including helping the homeless on this side of town.
The proposed center's location is still unknown. Several sites throughout East Orlando have been identified as possibilities, including the corner of Colonial and Econlockhatchee Roads, although nothing is certain.
The proposed East Orlando drop-in shelter is still in its early conceptual stages. “What we want to have is a place where government and faith-based services scattered throughout the community are available in one location in East Orlando,” says Linman. From utilities to job placement assistance to basic medical care and food, the proposed drop-in center will offer dozens of services to those in need.
Ideally, Linman sees the center as a place to help those who have nowhere else to go as well as those who may become homeless. “We’ve got chronic homeless issues that will be addressed in this program, but we also want to address those in danger of becoming homeless,” he says. “We are envisioning this to be a fairly broad-based service.”
For now, the center location is entirely unknown, according to Linman. Still, many residents are concerned the center will bring dozens, if not hundreds, of area homeless to their door. “We’ve had a lot of people who are supportive of the concept but they are having a fit about location in their backyard,” he says. “Do I think it’s a great idea? Sure I do,” says Waterford Lakes resident, Anthony Del Ponte. “But do I want it across the street from my house? No way. It will be tough to find a spot that makes everyone happy.”
Several sites throughout East Orlando have been identified as possibilities, including the old Whistle Junction site on the corner of Colonial and Econlockhatchee Roads, although no site or area has been narrowed down for the center. “It’s time to start addressing the needs of our neighbors,” says Linman. “They are in our backyards, at the grocery store and at the stop light. If we serve them here, it gets them off the street and may help them down the road to recovery.”
Article by Corey Gehrold
