Welcome to the
Curves Connection!
Greetings!
 Wow!
That about sums up the response we've received to the launch
of the Curves
Connection newsletter last month! Thanks to everyone
who sent emails of praise and to those who told us in person.
We remain focused on providing you with useful information
that will help you achieve your fitness goals and
along the way learn a little more about other health-related
topics, such as childhood obesity and how to ensure your
children stay healthy by following a few simple guidelines.
Read more about that in our Nutrition News article this month
by Dr. Craig.
Happy workouts to you all!
Your Curves Connection Team,
Drs. Jeff , Craig, Marissa and Tammy
Featured Article: Increase Your Energy
in
7 Easy Steps!
By Dr. Marissa Bentham
 If you cannot function in the morning without gallons of coffee
and you run out of energy every afternoon, then this energy-boosting
article is for you! It's tough trying to find the energy
to juggle your career, transport your kids from one activity
to another, and spend time with your husband. Can you relate
to this? I know most people want to give a 100% but are too
exhausted to do so. Fatigue isn't a sign of weakness,
it's a sign that your body is stressed beyond its natural
limits, and this is what drains you! The main thing to realize
is fatigue can be treated and your everyday energy restored.
Now let me show you some ways to increase your energy!
1) Find an outlet for your stress. Many factors can contribute
to fatigue, and stress is one of the most common. Stress has
become commonplace in our fast-paced lifestyle; you may not
even realize when your body is in a state of stress. That's
why it's important to have a routine for managing your
stress. Some great methods for stress reduction include exercise,
yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, or even keeping a journal!
Try waking up an extra 10 minutes early to plan out the details
of your day. Having a game plan will allow you to be more efficient
and effective and less stressed.
2) Exercise. The most effective way of "burning off" excess
stress and directly increasing your energy is to incorporate
regular exercise! This is where Curves comes in! By conditioning
your muscular and cardiovascular system for only 30 minutes,
3-4 times a week, you will achieve a heightened energy state,
not to mention boost your metabolism. In addition, try Yoga
and stretching for energy. We've made it easier for you
by incorporating weekly yoga classes into our Curves program.
Stretching will loosen your muscles, ease joints, and allow
blood to flow more easily around your body. Yoga also teaches
proper breathing techniques that will allow you to release
your mental stress.
3) Cut the artificial stimulants. Yes, coffee
gets you going in the morning. But we all know that your energy
hits a low when the caffeine effect wears off. Countless other "energy
drinks" have now hit the market, from Red Bull to Monster.
Nearly all of these drinks contain large doses of caffeine,
and/or ephedra. These products artificially stimulate your
sympathetic nervous system, causing a rise in heart rate and
blood pressure. To avoid the energy peaks and valleys (and
to be kinder to your cardiovascular system) try substituting
energy drinks and coffee for a "greens" drink in
the morning (nature's highest energy food form). There
are many powdered "green" formulas available in
stores—just add water!
4) Eat 5 to 6 meals a day! Eat small meals throughout the
day. In other words, by eating four meals and a couple of snacks
(low carb) each day, you are keeping your blood sugar at a
consistent level. When you eat 3 large meals a day, especially
meals high in carbohydrates, your blood sugar (and therefore
your energy) is going on a roller coaster ride. Just try changing
your pattern for one week and feel the difference!
5) Drink 8 glasses of water per day. For
our Curves ladies, that means 4-6 bottles of water per day.
Not drinking enough fluids can cause you to feel fatigued due
to dehydration. Water is the best, rather than sodas or sweetened
beverages that can cause energy lows and weight gain because
of high sugar content. Remember, if you're drinking tap
water it should be purified through reverse osmosis. Otherwise,
bottled water is best.
6) Increase rest. How many hours of restful sleep are you
getting per night? Your body does 80-90% of its healing and
repair while at rest. If you're not getting the optimum
8 hours of sleep, you haven't given your body enough
time to recharge. This will inevitably result in fatigue the
next day.
7) Multi-vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, due to the
depletion of our soil nutrients, it is imperative to use supplements
in your diet. Rather than simply taking B-12 for energy, your
body needs all the B-vitamins along with several minerals,
in order to utilize and absorb these vital micronutrients.
We sell the liquid form multi-vitamin/mineral formula because
liquids have a much higher absorption rate (80-90%) than tablets
(20-50%).
Everything we've discussed is vital information that
can significantly boost your everyday energy, so you can stop
feeling exhausted, moody, and worn out! It can make a remarkable
difference. You'll notice you wake up more refreshed
and motivated in the morning, get more accomplished during
the day and have energy left to do the things you want to do.
That's what your life should be about! It's all
in your hands.
Next month's topic: Menopause
^ top
Ask
the Doctors
By Drs. Jeff, Craig and Marissa
 Question: I'm
going on vacation this summer…how can I stay on track?
Answer: This is a great question because
summer is a time when we tend to get preoccupied with vacations
and family outings. If you plan on leaving town this summer
and are worried about missing your workout, we've got
a few suggestions.
- One of the unique benefits of Curves is that when you're
traveling, you can visit other Curves facilities… there
are 7,000 Curves locations worldwide. Just remember—don't
leave home without your Travel Pass!
- You can also take
advantage of the warm weather by doing outdoor activities
such as biking, walking, swimming, and tennis.
- If you are
looking for a little more, you can go to a local sports
store and buy an exercise resistance tube with two handles
(approx. 3-4 ft long, priced at $5-$20). This is a thin rubber
tube that takes place of weights and machines. Just think
about the movements you make at the gym and try to mimic
them. Perform the repetitions for 30 seconds with slow, controlled
movements. Do this 3 times a week for 30 minutes and you'll
continue to activate muscle tissue… as
you know, this is the key to maintaining high metabolism.
- Don't forget to pack your vitamins on vacation.
Keeping your energy up is essential to making the most
of your holiday!
- When you return from vacation, mentally prepare yourself
for increasing your work-outs to 4 times per week to
make up for those vacation indulgences!
Have a great guilt-free vacation—you've
earned it! Don't forget to show off your new Curves!
^ top
Nutrition
News: What Should Our
Children
Be Eating?
By Dr. Craig Bentham
 The
stats are in: 30% of children and 60% of adults today are considered
overweight or obese. If that figure is not alarming, consider
that obesity among children is on the rise. 85% of obese children
become obese adults, which puts them at significant risk for
developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Obesity in
childhood poses a real challenge for parents and dealing with
it is often delayed. Obese children suffer from conditions
like asthma, hip problems, and type II diabetes, not to mention
the social and emotional ramifications. At a time when body
image and self-esteem are developing, obesity can have a negative
impact that remains with a child for a lifetime. Let's
talk about the solutions to this growing problem.
Sugar: The Silent Culprit of Obesity
A recent study published in "The Lancet" (a
prestigious medical journal) reports that sugar-laden soft
drinks can increase the likelihood of a child becoming obese
by up to 60%. There are approximately 5 tablespoons of sugar
in one can of soda. On average, kids are drinking 2 to 3 cans
a day, equating to 10-15 tablespoons of sugar just from beverage
consumption! This kind of sugar intake causes extreme highs
and lows in their energy and ability to concentrate. Limit
your child's sugars and starches as much as possible,
and incorporate healthy carbs (high in fiber) into their diets.
That means minimizing foods like bread, pasta, rice, and starchy
vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, corn. The best carbs
are complex carbs: dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli,
spinach, and asparagus. A great example is to give your child
a small whey protein shake for breakfast, some almonds for
a snack, and a sandwich with low carb bread for lunch. Other
low-sugar snacks include cottage cheese and fruits that end
with "berry."
Kids Need Vitamins Too
We must remember that children, because their bodies
are growing and developing, require adequate nutrition for
the growth process. As a result of soil depletion, we must
supplement to get proper nutrients. Please be aware that vitamins
like "Flintstone's Chewables" are low in
quality and high in sugar content. Your kids can benefit significantly
from a high quality, liquid supplement like "Curves Complete".
Liquid has a much higher absorption rate and is easier on the
digestive system. Just make sure to adjust the dosage based
on their size and body weight—a general rule is to
cut your serving size in half.
Get Your Kids Moving
Today's techno-savvy kids spend more time on
the virtual athletic field than they do on the real turf. Shelve
the Play Station for a few days a week, and encourage kids
to get involved in team sports and/or outdoor activities. If
your child isn't into athletics, activities such as bike
and scooter riding, rollerblading, hiking, swimming, or dancing
are great, non-competitive ways to get physically fit. Without
the sugar, they'll have much more energy for these activities!
Listen To Your body
When you look at the abundance of all-you-can-eat restaurant deals and super-sized
fast food bargains, coupled with our high consumption of carbohydrates, it
becomes increasingly evident why we have an epidemic of obesity and disease.
Keep serving sizes reasonable. Encourage your children to listen to their
body and to stop eating when they are full.
By making these small changes to your child's diet, you can make tremendous
changes in their life. A low-carb, nutrient-rich diet will help them to maintain
a consistent energy level throughout the day; allowing them to focus in school
and then engage in physical activity in the afternoon. Obesity is an epidemic
that has crept up on us. But it is also one that we have the power to change
Next month's topic: The Truth About "Fat"
^ top
August
Promotions, Special Offers & Annoucements
AUGUST "ALOHA" PROMOTION
 Our
"Aloha" promotion is under way... Just refer a friend
(you must be an existing member) between July 1 and August
20 and if they join one of our three Curves locations, your
name will be entered TWICE into a drawing
to win two round-trip tickets to Hawaii (Hawaiian Air.)
Attention new members! When you join between
July 1 and August 20, your name will be entered into a drawing
to win two round-trip tickets to Hawaii (Hawaiian Air.)
Winners will be announced on August 23.
^ top
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