v3i1

the BroomA Wedding Guide for

Women of Color

Volume 3 Issue 1

www.jumpingthebroomsc.com

Jumping the Broom ~ 3

From the Desk of the Founder … 4

Latin Wedding Traditions … 6 Give Your Body a Boost with Laughter … 10 Seven Keys to a Healthy Marriage … 14 Lose Weight Safely … 19 Weight Loss Tips for Everyone … 22

contents

What is Jumping the Broom?

It is an African American tradition relating to wedding ceremonies. Jumping the Broom

signifies a remembrance of cultural heritage and the beginning of making a home together.

A&B Photo Service - Photos by Anita

Our cover models are: Lorena, Belinda and Veronica from Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador. They are students at Benedict College and loved dressing up for the

cover shoot at Jordan's Modern Bride and Groom. Many thanks to Marcia and her staff at Jordan's for allowing us to take over her shop! And thanks to our cover girls for doing such a fabulous job!

This list includes the name of the distribution point and the city they’re located in (all in South Carolina). When visiting these great locations, be sure to tell them you’re there to get your FREE Jumping the Broom: A Wedding Guide for Women of Color magazine. All advertisers in this issue have copies too! So, stop in to visit! If you would like to become a distribution point for the BEST wedding magazine in South Carolina, call us!

ColumbiaJordan’s Modern Bride

and Groom224 O’Neil Court

Jumping the Broom Office &

A&B Photo Service studio2601 Read Street

(Benedict College Business Dev. Ctr.)

State Farm Marion Hanna

1700 Decker Blvd

Kia’s House of Unity6108 Two Notch Road

Ann’s Fashions & Accessories

1520 Broad River Road

You-Nique Boutique5116 Two Notch Road

Carolina Bridal Boutique1144 Orangeburg Mall Circle

Professional Hair Designs811 Whittaker Pkwy

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Zebra Custom Designs515 Broad Street

Sumter

DISTRIBuTION SITES

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.~ Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Diller’s Housekeeping Hints, 1966

Jumping the Broom! We're coming to the

Aiken/Augusta area soon!

Founder / Publisher

Layout Designer / Web Designer

Anita Brewer

Pride ProductionsWill McLeod803-920-6230

For AdvertisingInformation Contact:

[email protected]

Jumping the Broom publisher and advertisers

are not responsible for liable, misprints, typographical

errors, and misinformation herein contained. We

reserve the right to reject, edit, or accept any

articles, advertisements, or information to be printed in

the publication.Jumping the Broom believes

that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the information is not warranted and Jumping the Broom does not assume any liability or responsibility

for any damages resulting from inaccurate or erroneous

information. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved.Printed in the u.S.A.

5000 copies printed twice each year.© Jumping the Broom 2011

wwwwwww

From the Desk of the Founder

4 ~ June 2011

A Wedding Guide forWomen of Color

Volume 2 Issue 2

the Broom In the premiere issue of this magazine, I gave thanks to many family members, friends and associates. Now, those associates are fast becoming friends as I journey into the fifth issue! Were it not for our Heavenly Father who has anointed all of my ideas and guided me when I was confused, you would not be reading this issue.

There have been many hurdles and obstacles thrown in my way, but a higher power is guiding me and no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Small business owners, I know you understand. It has been more than a struggle to make some of you business owners realize the necessity of advertising, branding and marketing your business. There were times when I felt like giving up, but I continued to press on to make sure that you – local, small business owners had a vehicle to publicize your business to the masses. I was called to help other small business owners. I hope you stay with me - picking up the magazine, reading the articles, finding good vendors, telling some friends and advertising your business here.

In October 2011, we held our 2nd Annual Jumping the Broom Bridal Show at the Holiday Inn and Suites on McSwain Drive. As is our tradition, 98.5FM KISS Morning DJ Johnny Green was our MC and gave away prizes every 15 minutes to our lucky brides in attendance! There were photographers, videographers, a pianist, a florist, decorators, bridal consultants, a hair stylist, a bridal and tuxedo shop, an Ardyss consultant, a live band, and sooo many more. (see our vendor list on the next page) The band H 2 Flo stole the show! They softly played and sang jazz and R&B tunes while our brides and their guests met with vendors! We can’t thank them enough for showing out at the bridal show. To ALL of our vendors: Many of you have called or emailed me to let me know that you already had brides book you from the show, yesssss! (so go ahead Oprah, keep on working hard cause I want to be your bff!!) THANK YOU for coming and we’ll see you next year!

wwwwwww

This December issue is dedicated to helping my bridesfind a wellness path for life.


Jenise Etheridge, Help Me PlanRoz Furch, Still in StyleTiffany Johnson-Gunn, Ardyss ProductsMichael & Nivea Hayes, Dreamy Photography & VideoSavanda Farmer, Balloons Arches & FlowersYolaunda Mincey, Bibleway Church of Atlas RoadWillie Funnye, Platinum Limo & SedansJavana Lovett, Eleven 6 Events, LLCTammy Griffin, Just Ask Events & MktgAaron Jackson, AC Jackson Photos/VideoGeorge Ligon, PhotographyFrances Richardson, Premier Designs JewelryDavid Gates, Kingdom Enrichment ProductShemika Janelle, Hair Fetish of ColumbiaShawnta’ James, BJ’s Table Linen ServiceMarilyn Spells, Marbella’s HatsSheila Ponds, Angelic Weddings

Michelle Ammonds, Mary KayMarcia Folligan, Jordan’s Modern Bride & GroomCheryl Deas, PhotographyShennice Cleckley, Java SweetsKia Johnson, Kia’s House of unityAnthony Montgomery, PhotographyDelia Ceballos, Ceballos Taxes & BookkeepingLee Boatwright, LR VideosJohnny Green, Disc JockeyNatalie Williams, Sankofa Wedding CeremoniesH2 FLO BandStephanie Scales, Love NotesCecil Williams, PhotographyAnita Brewer – Jumping the Broom and A&B Photo ServiceEsther Clervaud, Mary KayHoliday Inn and Suites & the Sporting News Grill

A Huge

to our sponsors of the second annual bridal show!

Thank You

Volunteers Kim Mitchell, Shontea Garvin, Monika Hilton, Ann Young, Courtney Young, LaToya Gillens, Faye

Gordon, Frank Dantzler, Will McLeod, Jaurvis Carmichael, Savanda Farmer and Brenda Daniels

Media Don Frierson - WGCV-AM, Nate Abraham - Carolina Panarama, Calvin Reese - www.millmag.org, Michael Bailey - theminorityeye.com, Harry Hunter - Midlands Live and WACH-TV morning show

anchors Janet Parker and Tyler Ryan and WLTX-TV morning show anchors Nat Roers and Curtis Wilson. You all understand that if this magazine succeeds WE succeed!

6 ~ December 2011

Wedding traditions from our Latin American sisters are similar to American traditions with long, white wedding gowns worn. However we celebrate our wedding day, we are all searching for true love.

Our cover models hail from three countries: Ve-ronica is from El Salvador, Lorena is from Brazil and Belinda is from Colombia.

El Salvador

In some places in El Salvador, when a wedding is celebrated, the wedding starts with out the bride. The bride and her family wait for seven men to come to their home in white cars to escort the bride. Many traditional Salvadoran weddings follow the Catholic tradition. The reception takes place in a Catholic church, or cathedral. The married couple will take communion at their wedding.

Traditionally in El Salvador, the groom’s father and the groom’s family pays for the wedding, even the bride’s wedding dress. Parents play an important role; they walk the bride through the street to the wedding place (church).

The wedding couple’s godparents are very im-portant during the wedding, too. The godpar-ents are responsible for the spiritual growth of the kids. They have roles throughout the mar-riage ceremony. Many wedding parties are very large as children in the family play a part in the wedding.

Colombian

In Colombia, Catholic marriage is the preferred union between a man and a woman. Catholic marriages are more common between men and women of superior social and financial status, rather than the poor because of the heavy cost involved. In rural areas, a formal marriage is considered an unnecessary economic burden.

Lower or middle class women have always had fewer restrictions on dating than those in the upper class, for lower class women had to be employed. By contrast, chaperonage during courtship could be more easily maintained by the upper class. Those who are well educated simply wait to be married in the Catholic Church. Girls try to marry a man of status and influence. Even though many in the middle class hope for mar-riages in the upper class to facilitate higher social and financial mobility, the upper class usually marries within its own social class.

Before 1973, Catholic marriages were the only valid marriage for those of the Catholic denomi-nation. There has been increasing acceptance of civil weddings since 1973; however, most fami-lies who can afford an elaborate church wedding will do so. The Catholic religious wedding de-notes social status, and being wed is considered a means of social mobility.

Brazilian

Brazil is a country of both immigrants and indig-enous peoples. Its early immigrant population in-cluded African, Italian, and Portuguese peoples, then later German and Japanese, most living in nuclear families. The population is predominate-ly Catholic.

Present Marriage Customs

Brazilian marriages may be civil, religious, or common law, but the civil marriage is considered legal by the state.

Though most marriage partners are chosen ac-cording to their social class and background, during the 1980’s higher education began to be a way to increase mobility for the middle class and upper class. In addition, Brazilian women, even from traditionally-oriented families, expect to make the decision as to whom they wish to marry.

Latin Wedding Traditions

Rural Marriage Customs

In rural areas, the family tends to be power-ful among the aristocracy. Parents still demand respect so the young man usually asks the girl’s father for permission to wed. Most Catholic couples have a large family engagement party. At this celebration, the groom gives his bride a gold wedding band, which she places on her right hand. During the wedding, the bride usu-ally wears a white gown; and the groom, a formal suit. The wedding ring is placed on the bride’s left hand. The godmother and godfather of the bride and groom are in the bridal party, rather than bridesmaids and groom’s attendants.

Sources:Brazil and Colombian wedding information from: Mordecai, Carolyn (1999). WEDDINGS: Dating and Love Customs of Cul-tures Worldwide Including Royalty. USA: Thompson-Shore, Inc.

El Salvador wedding information: masseyealford.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/a-traditional-wedding.ppt

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Thanks for attending the 2nd Annual Jumping the Broom Bridal Show! See you next year!

10 ~ December 2011

Give Your Body a Boost

With LaughterBy R. Morgan Griffin

Feeling rundown? Try laughing more. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine, helping you feel better and putting that spring back in your step.

“I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off,” says Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist. “They might be healthier too.”

Yet researchers aren’t sure if it’s actually the act of laughing that makes people feel better. A good sense of humor, a positive attitude, and the support of friends and family might play a role, too.

“The definitive research into the potential health benefits of laughter just hasn’t been done yet,” says Robert R. Provine, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the university of Maryland, Baltimore County and author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.But while we don’t know for sure that laughter helps people feel better, it certainly isn’t hurting.

Laughter Therapy: What Happens When We Laugh?

We change physiologically when we laugh.

We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.

People who believe in the benefits of laughter say it can be like a mild workout -- and may offer some of the same advantages as a workout.

“The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar,” says Wilson. “Combining laughter and movement, like waving your arms, is a great way to boost your heart rate.”One pioneer in laughter research, William Fry, claimed it took ten minutes on a rowing machine for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of hearty laughter. And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in laughing. It turned out that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.

While the results are intriguing, don’t be too hasty in ditching that treadmill. One piece of chocolate has about 50 calories; at the rate of 50 calories per hour, losing one pound would require about 12 hours of concentrated laughter!


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Laughter’s Effects on the Body

In the last few decades, researchers have studied laughter’s effects on the body and turned up some potentially interesting information on how it affects us:

Blood flow. Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally -- expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

Immune response. Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response, says Provine. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells, as well.

Blood sugar levels. One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.

Relaxation and sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He

said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

The Evidence: Is Laughter the Best Medicine?

But things get murky when researchers try to sort out the full effects of laughter on our minds and bodies. Is laughter really good for you? Can it actually boost your energy? Not everyone is convinced. “I don’t mean to sound like a curmudgeon,” says Provine, “but the evidence that laughter has health benefits is iffy at best.”

He says that most studies of laughter have been small and not well conducted. He also says too many researchers have an obvious bias: they go into the study wanting to prove that laughter has benefits. For instance, Provine says studies of laughing have often not looked at the effects of other, similar activities. “It’s not really clear that the effects of laughing are distinct from screaming.”

Provine says that the most convincing health benefit he’s seen from laughter is its ability to dull pain. Numerous studies of people in pain or discomfort have found that when they laugh they report that their pain doesn’t bother them as much. But Provine believes it’s not clear that comedy is necessarily better than another distraction. “It could be that a compelling drama would have the same effect.”

One of the biggest problems with laughter research is that it’s very difficult to determine cause and effect. For instance, a study might

show that people who laugh more are less likely to be sick. But that might be because people who are healthy have more to laugh about. Or researchers might find that, among a group of people with the same disease, people who laugh more have more energy. But that could be because the people who laugh more have a personality that allows them to cope better.

So it becomes very hard to say if laughter is actually an agent of change, or just a sign of a person’s underlying condition.

Laughing It up for Quality of Life

Laughter, Provine believes, is part of a larger picture. “Laughter is social, so any health benefits might really come from being close with friends and family, and not the laughter itself.” In his own research, Provine has found that we’re thirty times more likely to laugh when we’re with other people than when we’re alone. People who laugh a lot may just have a strong connection to the people around them. That in itself might have health benefits.

Wilson agrees there are limits to what we know about laughter’s benefits. “Laughing more could make you healthier, but we don’t know,” he tells WebMD. “I certainly wouldn’t want people to start laughing more just to avoid dying -- because sooner or later, they’ll be disappointed.” But we all know that laughing, being with friends and family, and being happy can make us feel better and give us a boost -- even though studies may not show why. So Wilson and Provine agree that regardless of whether laughter actually improves your health or boosts your energy, it undeniably improves your quality of life. “Obviously, I’m not antilaughter,” says Provine. “I’m just saying that if we enjoy laughing, isn’t that reason enough to laugh? Do you really need a prescription?”

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14 ~ December 2011

by Elder Alvah R. Lawson, Sr.Most marriages start with the planning of that special event – the wedding day – and many choose to go to considerable length to ensure that their significant day is beautifully coordinated and memorable for all who attend. Whether a large or small and intimate setting, bridesmaid’s and groomsmen’s outfits are carefully selected to be perfectly color-matched and accessorized to complement the bride and groom. And, the selection of songs is not just the usual wedding songs, but rather melodious and inspirational favorites that express the bride’s and groom’s love for one another. Aside from planning the wedding, which can sometimes cause anxiety, far too many couples fail to realize that their wedding day is just that - a wedding day, and not the union. The wedding day is the celebration of two people exchanging vows and committing their lives to each other forever in the presence of family and friends and, most importantly, God. It is only one occasion that occurs on one day while the marriage, on the other hand, is designed to be for a lifetime. The careful planning and coordination of the wedding itself should mirror the careful planning and coordination of the wedding. The question then is, “How can couples ensure that their marriage is a healthy marriage?” Simply answered: It takes planning and coordination. Here, then, are seven ingredients for planning a healthy marriage:

Know God’s Purpose for Your Marriage

Many couples fail to experience a healthy marriage because they do not know, or perhaps understand, God’s plan for marriage. Knowing God’s purpose helps the couple to understand the essence and foundation of any marriage if it is going to endure all of the difficulties and trials of life. Most importantly, marriage is not about pleasing each other; it is about pleasing God. In Genesis 3:6-7, we see where Adam made the tragic mistake of choosing to please Eve, and not God, while in the Garden of Eden and the consequences of that mistake.

Know That Change is Needed

The most difficult challenge that marriages face is change. It is not enough to know that change is needed; it’s crucial that each person sees the need for change. By knowing

God’s purpose and steadfastly holding on to God’s guiding principles in their lives, couples can learn to make adjustments that work together to preserve and strengthen the marriage. For example, some habits and learned behaviors enjoyed when single may not be appropriate for the marriage. One or both spouses may not know or understand what it means to “leave and cleave”. To leave and cleave means to forsake all previous relationships in which you were emotionally, financially, mentally, and physically dependent. Those relationships must not demand or be a priority in your life any longer. Another example that may need change is going to the gym to play basketball with the guys three days a week after work. While single, that may have been reasonable because it filled a time void in your life. Once married though, there should no longer be that gap because your wife is now your priority, and her needs must be considered first. The same holds true for the wife who, while single, would go and hang out with girlfriends, co-workers, family members, etc., for hours on end. Her husband is now her priority, and his needs must be the considered first.

A third example is the need to recognize that just because you as a couple got along well before the marriage does not necessarily mean some change is not needed. No longer are you two separate individuals. You have been united as one, and it is vital to understand that change in some habits and learned behaviors will be needed. Importantly, change is normal and inevitable.

Know and Accept Each Other’s Differences

Many couples marry because they believe they have so much in common that they sometimes fail to realize they also have many differences. It is customary to have differences as each is uniquely created by God. Those differences should and can help to bring about a balance in marriage with care and attention. For example, if the marriage is going to be healthy, there has to be an acceptance that you are not the same and that your differences are not your weaknesses, but unrealized strengths. In other words, it simply means that each of you is physically, intellectually, mentally, and emotionally different. And, furthermore, being different does not necessarily mean that you don’t love each other. Here, acceptance plays a crucial element in your relationship, meaning even if you don’t change, each can and will still

Healthy MarriageKeys to a


love the other.

Know How to Forgive and Ignore the Past

Forgiveness requires releasing your mate from the pain he or she may have caused. Some couples believe the myth that once you are forgiven, that act is forgotten. The truth is that one rarely forgets, especially if deeply offended. Only God has the self-imposed ability to forget. The Bible teaches us in Jeremiah 31:34 that “He will forgive their iniquity, and God will remember their sin no more”. Forgiveness releases you to live a joy-filled life without bitterness.

Know Each Other’s Background and Family History

usually the demonstration of love, forgiveness, acceptance, etc., is etched in our mind as the accepted way of doing things, which may be okay in some experiences. For example, if a spouse comes from a home where parents openly demonstrate affection, respect, and structure in the home, he or she will normally expect the same from his or her mate. But, if the other spouse comes from a home where affection is not explicitly demonstrated, that spouse will probably not respond in an affectionate way. Does this means that the spouse does not love and care for his or her mate? No, it only means that he or she is only demonstrating love and affection in the way it had been taught and witnessed.

Knowing your spouse’s background, particularly if there has been a painful or hurtful experience, is also necessary to understanding your partner. Sadly though, one or both spouses sometime create walls between them to keep the other from knowing areas of their lives. This can have a negative impact on the marriage. For example, you may find yourself holding out on your mate because you can’t or are afraid to let go and take a chance that he or she will love you unconditionally. By holding back, you deprive your spouse of total commitment to the marriage. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casted out fear because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love“(1John 4:18).

Know How to Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is especially vital to a healthy marriage relationship and is another critical issue couple’s face. All too often when one spouse blames the other for a lack of communication, it is usually the spouse that wants to communicate that lacks effective communication skills. Communicating clearly takes effort and should be considerate, planned, and inviting. In fact, studies have indicated that verbal communication is only 7 percent of how we communicate. The tone of one’s voice communicates 38 percent, and the other 55 percent involves facial expressions and general posture, as well

as hand gestures. The Bible admonishes us to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

Know That Marriage Is NOT a 50/50 Relationship

Marriages that are based on a 50/50 relationship usually end up in divorce because of performance expectations and not faith. While that belief may sound convincing and seem to make sense, there is just one problem: It doesn’t work! This relationship says that you should look at the other person’s performance to make sure that he or she is doing his or her fair share. This thinking promotes independence - “You do your part, and I’ll do mine” – and can lead to dissatisfaction within the marriage when the performance expectation is not met. The question I often ask couples during premarital counseling is, why they would only want to give their spouse whom they profess to love only 50 percent of their love. It would stand to reason that if each loves the other, each would like to give his or her all to make the union a happy and fulfilling experience.

Faith-based marriages require 100 percent and are rooted in full participation on the part of each spouse. In this marriage, the spouses do not look to see if the other person has done his or her part. It’s expected with each spouse giving fully, respectfully, and honestly.

Couples, then, generally marry because they love each other. It is an act of their will. And, because love is an act of their will, they can either choose to love or not to love each other at any given time. When the will changes and love isn’t felt, the abiding love for God will sustain the marriage.

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About the Author:Alvah R. Lawson, Sr., is the Senior Associate Pastor at the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, serving full-time for the past 15 years. One of his many duties is performing pre-martial and mar-riage counseling to couples. He and his wife Pat have been mar-ried for 37 years, and together they lead the Couples Ministry. The Lawson’s own four adult children and three grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Columbia, SC, area.

16 ~ December 2011

A recent State Farm survey shows many people understand the need for life insurance is important but acknowledge the conversation with their spouse might be uncomfortable. Seventy-four percent of couples say they rarely or never discuss the topic. This is particularly true in households with one wage earner. With women increasingly filling the role of primary breadwinner, financial and emotional stressors weigh heavily on their decision to discuss life insurance at home, and research finds that among couples unlikely to discuss the topic, women are even more likely to remain silent.

The state of the economy influenced the responders. The survey found that more than half of Americans are now focused solely on protecting what they have versus working to achieve their financial goals. Having the income to cover basic household needs (mortgage, rent, utilities and food) must come first.

An earlier study from the research firm LIMRA found that nearly one third of u.S. households currently have no life insurance, the highest level in more than 40 years.

Survey: Couples Rarely Talk About Life Insurance

For couples who struggle with discussing finances and life insurance, here are a few suggestions:

■ Make A Plan. It can be empowering for couples to agree on goals and steps toward achieving a more secure future. For couples experiencing severe economic setbacks, it can be reassuring to have a strategy in place to get back on their feet financially and to prepare for the unexpected. ■ Start Small. Often couples may feel the gap is too great between what they have to work with financially today versus what they would like to have in the future. But starting with small steps – such as getting educated about life insurance basics – can set the stage for follow-up steps later. ■ Consult An Expert. Bringing in a knowledgeable outside perspective can make the process of discussing life insurance easier and less stressful. These experts have experience guiding the conversation and answering questions. This can help avoid misunderstandings and unneeded stress.


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More marriages might survive if the partners realize that sometimes the better comes after the worse. ~Doug Larson


In August 2011, the Trust for America's Health and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its annual rankings of obesity. South Carolina came in as the No. 8 fattest state in the country.

Lose Weight SafelyAre you stuck in a fitness rut? Do you want to jumpstart your fitness regimen, but not sure how to do it? A fitness boot camp may be what you need. It is one of the best ways to jumpstart your way to a healthy lifestyle because of the commitment level and group experience. A local boot camp taught by fitness trainer, Michael Thomas in various locations in Columbia, SC, has designed a program to reduce body fat, tone muscle and improves women’s health. The boot camp fitness program consists of fun and challenging cardiovascular and strength training workouts.

In addition to a consistent workout regimen, Michael offers the following wellness tips on his website,www.columbiabootcamp.com.

1. As a general rule avoid foods that have any trans fats and those foods that have high amounts of saturated fat.2. Eat lean meats, poultry, beans, and nuts. These foods are a good source of protein.3. Drink eight glasses of water a day.4. Complex carbohydrates are provided by foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, oats, and sweet potatoes. These foods also provide the body with fiber that is healthy for digestion. 5. The minerals, vitamins, and fats needed are provided by the foods listed above.6. Avoid foods that are enriched and have a high sugar content. Avoid the white stuff, i.e., sugar, salt, and enriched bleached carbohydrates.

Visit Michael’s website and join his boot camp with several of your girlfriends/bridesmaids/family!

Lose those inches together.www.columbiabootcamp.com

written by Ebony Looney

Here’s a quick list of health and wellness websites to visitas you begin on your road to healthy living:

www.blackgirlsrun.com

www.blackwomenshealth.com

www.sistersinshape.com

www.50millionpounds.com

www.allrecipes.com

As always check with your physician before beginning any diet or exercise routine.

Ebony Looney is a Marketing Consultant and Beauty Blogger. Visit her blog for the best beauty and fashion tips!www.MakeMeOverEb.com and at www.IdeasBalloons.com

864.344.7010

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20 ~ December 2011

Center for Learning, Inc. is a proud sponsor

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2729 Covenant Road Columbia, South Carolina

803.254.0068 office 803.254.0970 fax

www.cflinc.net

Deirdre l. Niblock Director

Serving students ages 12 months to 3rd Grade “The center for an excellent educational experience.”.

22 ~ December 2011

Every bride wants to be beautiful on her big day and for most of us, that includes weight loss. Losing weight can be a stressful and confusing, but it does not have to be. Here are a few tips to help you reach your fitness goals without stressing out:

1. DO NOT CRASH DIET! While it would seem logical that if you skip meals and cut certain nutrition essentials, this never works long term and could actually slow your metabolism down.

2. Set realistic goals. It is safe and realistic to expect to lose about 1-2 pounds per week in order to maintain a healthy body and keep your metabolism burning fat.

3. Working out is important, but changing your diet to include healthy foods like fruits and vegetables will help you lose twice as much weight. Remember, fiber is your friend.

4. SLEEP! Weight loss and muscle growth occur when the body is at rest. Sleep deprivation will only sabotage your weight loss goals.

Written by: Condreda “CC” Cooper, a national certified personal trainer in Columbia, SC and owner of Maximum Wellness Training. Her website www.maximumwellnesstraining.com has more information and tips for weight loss and healthy living.

Weight Loss Tips

for Everyone

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