My husband Justin and I have always loved the sport of rowing. For as long as I can remember it has been a passion of ours and even though we’re new to the Lake Nona area, we are certainly not new to rowing. With more than 33 years of combined experience, it’s our hope to bring new sporting opportunities to East Orlando and Central Florida while adding to the overall health and activity level of our neighbors.

Our rowing team, South Orlando Rowing Association (SORA), has programs for anyone who is passionate or even just interested in learning about rowing. But starting last month, we began a whole new phase of programming that has us very excited. We are now hosts to two athletes training for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Sgt. Rob Jones and Oksana Masters are both Trunk and Arms Athletes who will be in Orlando for three months through SORA’s partnerships with Paralympic Military Program, Athletes Without Limits and Louisville Adaptive Rowing.

Oksana Masters and Sgt. Rob Jones rowing at Moss Park as part of SORA’s partnership with the Paralympic Military Program, Athletes Without Limits and Louisville Adaptive Rowing training for USA trials to earn the right to race in 2012 London Paralympic for Team USA.

Rob is a US Marine who was honorably serving our country in Afghanistan when he came across an IED (explosive), which resulted in amputation of both legs. Rob became a bilateral above knee amputee in July of 2010.

After spending her early childhood in a Ukranian orphanage, Oksana was adopted when she was 7-years-old. As a result of radiation poisoning, Oksana had both of her legs amputated above the knee. Oksana has been rowing for 10 years through Louisville Adaptive Rowing.

Working with Athletes Without Limits whose focus is intellectually disabled athletes, and the Paralympic Military Program doors will be opened for adaptive rowing and rehabilitation in Central Florida. Through this partnership, SORA coaches and families are receiving training on the integration of adaptive rowing with existing programs.

Justin has always said that in rowing, disabled athletes are able to experience the freedom that the water has to offer.   A boat glides through the water with the same grace and ease no matter what your skill level or ability and the thrill of competition can be just as rewarding for all. The pride of being part of a team, that is greater than the sum of its members, is equal for all athletes and coaches alike and rowing offers that opportunity to the disabled community.

The sport of adaptive rowing, which made its Paralympic debut in 2008 Beijing Paralympic games currently offers three competitive categories for athletes:

• Legs, trunk, and arms
• Trunk and arms only
• Arms and shoulders

In addition to physically disabilities, there are also rowing opportunities for the intellectually disabled (ID) community with most ID athletes rowing in group boats with SORA adult and youth volunteers.

We encourage everyone to get involved by volunteering or by learning to row. Our volunteers are a vital part of being able to serve the adaptive community in Central Florida but they don’t need to have previous rowing experience.

SORA coaches and volunteers utilize rowing to promote strong character, high integrity, positive self-concept, contribution to community, and a healthful lifestyle. We are honored to be here and look forward to you joining our diverse, challenging and rewarding group as we become even more involved in the community.

SORA can be found daily at Moss Park rowing on Lake Mary Jane and Lake Hart. They offer programs for all ages including Middle School, High School, Adult, Adaptive and programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. If interested in volunteering with rowing programs serving Physically Disabled and Intellectually Disabled athletes or any of SORA’s programs, visit www.SORAcrew.com.

Article By Katie Lednar

The Kiwanis Club of East Orange County hosted its Inaugural Kiwanis Family 5K for the Kids on the morning of Sunday, May 22, 2011 in the Waterford Lakes Town Center. Over 100 runners and walkers took part in the race. The event was coordinated by Kiwanis members as well as student volunteers from East Orange County’s 17 service leadership clubs. The money fundraised from the event will go directly back to the students in these clubs – K-Kids in Elementary School, Builders Clubs in Middle School, Key Clubs in High School, CKI at UCF and Aktion Clubs for disabled adults.

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Spring is finally here, and what better time to explore youth sports teams in your community than when your kids have “spring fever” and are eager to get outside!

Benefits of Youth Sports

Team sports give children the opportunity to work with their peers and coaches, and challenge themselves in a safe environment. They learn the value of practice and the merits of competition. Sports also provide natural and fun opportunities for children to get regular exercise. Kids who are active tend to have stronger muscles and bones, a leaner body, decreased chances of health issues, and overall a more positive outlook on life. Additionally, children who are physically fit sleep better and are more equipped to handle physical and emotional challenges.

Encouragement
There are many reasons to encourage your child to participate in youth sports. Playing sports can boost a child’s self-esteem, coordination, and general fitness along with helping them learn how to work with others. Some children may be hesitant to get involved because team sports often appear competitive and intimidating. Investigate sports programs before signing up to find the best fit for your child. Talk with coaches and other parents about the philosophy of the league or team. Some athletic associations, like the Y, offer noncompetitive leagues. As children get older, they can handle more competitive aspects such as keeping score and keeping track of wins and losses. Some children may be motivated by competitive play, but most are not ready for the increased pressure until they are 11 or 12 years old. Remember that even in more competitive leagues, the atmosphere should remain positive and supportive for the children participating.

Sportsmanship

Children learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives, especially their parents and coaches. When kids see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike way, they understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and behave with dignity - whether they win or lose.

The Right Fit

If your child doesn’t seem interested in the sport they are playing, try another sport. Your child may not have the hand-eye coordination for baseball, but has the drive and the build to be a swimmer, a runner, or a cyclist; plus, the idea of an individual sport may be more appealing. Talk with your child and be open to their interests in other sports or activities.

Where to Sign Up

Most communities have local Y’s and youth sports leagues, which provide a listing of what leagues or teams are available for your children. Another option is to look into your city or county’s parks and recreation organization to see what youth sports take place in their facilities. Your child’s school may also be a great resource. Teachers and other parents can provide information on the sports available to children in the community. From soccer to t-ball, there’s bound to be a team near your home that will get your child outside, having fun with others.

Fringe Benefits

In addition to the health benefits youth sports provide, outdoor activity helps combat the growing trend of too much screen time for children. Many national organizations support programs like National Turnoff Week, or Screen-Free Week, to encourage less screen time and more family time and activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 2 years watch no TV at all and that screen time be limited to no more than 1-2 hours of quality programming a day for children 2 years and older.

For more information about youth sports and reducing screen time, visit KidsHealth.org.

Article by Lisa C. Barkley, M.D., FAAFP

Dr. Barkley is a Sports Medicine Physician in the Division of Consultative Pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Clinic.

There may be no topic where there is more conflicting advice than that of nutrition. There’s plenty of diets out there, and as different as they may be, they all share one thing - they promise accelerated weight loss, increased energy and vibrant health.

It can be frustrating and confusing. I know this as a fitness professional who has extensively studied how diets affect weight loss in women in addition to personally helping hundreds of men, women and young people successfully lose weight and get healthy. But I also know it from firsthand experience. Before I found my passion for fitness and nutrition, I was like most - aggravated and puzzled by all the misinformation on exercise and nutrition.

But instead of giving up, I chose to turn my frustration around, transforming not only my own body and health, but that of hundreds of clients that I have worked  with throughout the years. I want to share with you some of what I have learned in hopes of helping you find your own nutritional balance to help you achieve the results you desire.

Change How You See Food

Often people think of food in the wrong way. They see food as the enemy, as a reward or as something they don’t think about until they’re so hungry they’ll eat anything within reach. If that describes how you view food this simple analogy might help: food fuels your body like firewood fuels a fireplace. You would never say to a fireplace, “Provide me with a nice warm fire and I’ll put firewood in you,” would you? Of course not. Yet we ask our bodies to work efficiently without giving much, if any, thought to the quality of fuel we put in it.

Beware of Fast and Easy

There is an abundance of different diets that emphasize restrictions or elimination of food groups for weight loss. These diets often promote “fast and easy” results by purchasing specialty food items that may lack proper nutrients as well as lead to a higher grocery bill. These companies can be confusing and lead to nutritional deficits, harming your body in the long run.

In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2009 reported that elimination of food groups in an attempt to lose weight can lead to altered insulin and hormonal values. These alterations have been shown to make weight loss over time more difficult. When you think about it, can the latest “miracle diet” promoting cookies or two bowls of cereal per day really be good for your body?

Balance is the Key

The need to have the correct vitamins and nutrients to get you through your active day seems pretty obvious. It is, however, easier said than done.

Enter Nutrition Together - our proprietary nutrition program. Whether your fitness goals are to lose weight, gain muscle or tone up, Nutrition Together has been designed to address your specific nutritional needs in a very balanced, straightforward way.

Getting to your goals takes planning and commitment, but once you have the knowledge and proper plan, your possibilities are limitless. At Fitness Together of East Orlando we have been dedicated to helping our clients reach their health and fitness goals for over four years. Help with your nutrition and exercise program, along with the motivation from our training team, is here to get you closer to your balanced lifestyle. NOTE:  For more tips on finding nutritional balance visit fitnesstogether.com/eastorlando/blog/.

Article by Heather Stella, Manager, Fitness Together of East Orlando

Heather Stella is a NSCA certified personal trainer who has her Masters Degree in Applied Exercise Physiology.  Heather manages the day to day operations of Fitness Together of East Orlando and would love to talk to you about your health and fitness needs.  Call Heather at 407-208-0620 to learn more and schedule a FIT consultation. It’s FREE and we can use the results of the consultation to design and implement a customized fitness and nutrition program for you.

Besides the social benefits of dancing, participating in a regular program of dancing will produce significant mental and physical health benefits. Dancing is a great stress reliever. It also stimulates the brain, builds confidence and helps you be more attentive. It has also been proven to offer great physical benefits as it tones the whole body in an enjoyable exercise.

Israel Rodriguez, guest performer for Orlando Ballet and former principal dancer for the organization, now teaches Latin cardio dance classes for Momentum.

Israel Rodriguez, guest performer for Orlando Ballet and former principal dancer for the organization, now teaches Latin cardio dance classes for Momentum, a newly formed organization focusing on young dancers. Rodriguez’ students say his classes beat staying home any day. “My students are able to move with more freedom [after taking classes],” he says. The Latin cardio classes concentrate on the entire body, important for overall health as dancing helps improve stamina for all kinds of movement. Rodriguez knows this first hand since he sustained an injury to his Achilles tendon and was unable to bear weight on that foot. But because of his perseverance and determination to continue to dance, he was able to make a complete recovery.

The Mayo Clinic research reports that social dancing helps to reduce stress, increase energy, improve strength and increase muscle tone and coordination.  Whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, ballroom or the two-step, dancing can lower your risk of coronary heart disease, decrease your blood pressure, help you manage your weight and strengthen the bones in your legs and hips.

Kristin Weissman, owner and CEO of Studio K, a dance facility in Central Florida, opened the studio in Oct. 2010. The facility offers dance instructions for adults and young adults with the largest number of classes offered exclusively to ages 16 and up. Studio K is mainly for adults who want to improve cardiovascular health by dancing.

Dancers at Studio K take part in dance and technique with a cardio twist.

Weissman has 15 years’ experience with public relations and has been dancing since she was 3-years-old. The facility concentrates on technique and style with a cardio twist - designed to get participants heart rate up. There are high intensity dance classes with a concentration on cardio. There’s even a “Hip Hop Boot Camp” where you are “whipped” into shape, as well as a “Hoop Dance Class” concentrating on dance techniques using a hula hoop.  Whether you want to learn the art of dance or simply want a fun way to workout, the studio offers classes for every level of experience and interest.

If ballroom dancing or ballet is not your cup of tea, why not try the latest craze, Zumba. “Ditch the workout - join the party!” is the official slogan for Zumba. It’s no surprise that it’s catching on like wildfire. Why? Zumba fitness classes are actually “dance” routines that are structured to be easy to follow but full of movement. You let go of your inhibitions and lose yourself in the rhythms. It’s all about the music. The mesmerizing sounds of salsa and merengue are the usual music choices for Zumba instructors, but every instructor is different and the selections are endless.

Attending a local Zumba class of 60 students, you are suddenly swept away with the music. Even students with little or no dancing technique find themselves joining in with little or no difficulty. Lisa Cotto, a student of Zumba at a local YMCA commented about the energy and spontaneity in the class saying, “When I burned 1,000 calories in one class, I knew I’d never be fat again!

Cotto dropped 70 pounds in four years after attending Zumba classes. She’s the poster child for dancing your way to a healthier lifestyle.  Also of note are Zumba classes for kids, senior citizens, aqua aerobic classes, toning and Zumba Dance for the Wii has recently been launched.

With so many options, it’s hard not to get lost in the music.

Article by Leslie N. Dawson