Fit Life

Not All Calories are Created Equal

Fit Life takes a look at more practical ways of looking at calories that were recently adopted by Weight Watchers.

Being the mother-in-law of a local baker who makes tantalizing cakes can’t be easy on the diet. But Celia Stribrny, whose daughter-in-law Heather Stribrny operates IBake, doesn’t struggle with her weight anymore. Stribrny lost 70 pounds by following the Weight Watchers program 25 years ago and has maintained it ever since. Stribrny has been a leader for Weight Watchers for 21 years, and currently educates and motivates over 400 members weekly at the Orland Park location at Park Hill Plaza. “My job is to facilitate the meeting; I’ll introduce a topic, such as portion control, and then let the members discuss it,” she explained. And the system works for many people. Instead of being a diet that focuses on short-term results, it stresses a …

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Fit Life

Working Out in the Workplace

Finding time to exercise before or after work can be challenging, so why not during the work day?

Bringing fitness into the workplace may be the simplest way to reduce obesity among Americans, while cutting down on spiraling company health care costs at the same time. Many insurance companies already recognize this trend. Humana announced a new wellness initiative this week- participation in the voluntary wellness program will earn incentive rewards for exercising, not smoking, and obtaining regular health screenings. Let’s face it – a fit employee helps a company save money. There’s a reduced risk of lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease; less sick days, and more productivity. Companies have recognized that it’s in their best interest to promote wellness in the workplace. This all sounds great in theory, but …

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Local Hospital Employees Show Their Big Heart for Valentine's Day and Heart Health

About 200 MetroSouth Medical Center employees and community members gathered to form "Chicago's biggest heart" on Monday, Feb. 14.

Ann Wyrobek, a nurse at MetroSouth Medical Center, sees her share of patients suffering from heart disease. The Tinley Park resident specializes in cardiology and electrophysiology and said many of the conditions she has seen are preventable. That's one of the reasons Wyrobek donned a red poncho and faced the 40-degree, windy weather Monday, Feb. 14, in an exercise with two goals: to make Chicago's biggest heart to advocate for healthy heart awareness and to recognize Valentine's Day.  "It was fun," Wyrobek said. "It was great to see people coming together to get the same message out." MetroSouth provided the red ponchos for about 200 employees and community members who participated, said hospital marketing executive Karen Anderson. The …

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Fit Life

Grappling with Childhood Obesity

This week, Tina examines a complicated dynamic when parents try to help their

Stephanie, a 13 year old Tinley Park resident, fights constantly with her mom about her weight. She knows, deep down inside, that she is overweight. Obese, even. But the last person she wants to hear it from is her mother. Karen, Stephanie’s mother, is at a loss as to what she should do. No matter what she suggests to her daughter, it is immediately rejected. Stephanie’s weight has become just another territorial point in the age-old war between teen and parent. “We’ve been trying to work on her weight for several years now,” Karen said. “But in the last year or so, she’s become more difficult and puts a wall up whenever I try to tell her what she should be doing.” Parents often encounter resistance when they try to help children lose …

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Fit Life

Semi-Vegetarianism: A Healthy Way to Have your Cake and Eat It Too

This week, Tina informs how to eat mostly as a vegetarian, while still enjoying meat in moderation.

Former southwest side resident Steve Tuszynski used to frequent all the famous fast food haunts in and around the southwest suburbs. He enjoyed the bounty of burgers, polish sausages, and other meat they offered. “Steak burritos from El Farol in Summit, barbequed ribs from the Patio in Bridgeview, and Italian beef from Al’s in Oak Lawn – all these were a regular part of my daily diet,” Tuszynski commented. Tuszynski now limits his consumption of red meat and fast food, and eats mostly vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fruits, with some fish and chicken.  He also enjoys the occasional prime rib as a treat. Steve Tuszynski is my husband, and we have both adopted this semi-vegetarian style of eating.  We try to have at least two meatless …

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Fit Life

Black Friday Dining Guide: Orland Square Mall

Tina offers healthy eating choices for the throngs of shoppers at the mall on Black Friday.

Planning on hitting the mall on Black Friday?  Keep your energy levels high and eat healthy while shopping with our review, "Cheers & Sneers", featuring an analysis of the healthy highs and lows of Orland Square Mall's dining options. Breakfast – 5am Cheers!  At 240 calories and seven grams of fiber, Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal with a dried fruit and nut medley is a great choice for a healthy breakfast.  It's important to start the day off right with a light but filling meal.  Oatmeal is full of fiber, which will aid digestion of that heavy Thanksgiving meal, and it acts like a sponge in your arteries, binding with the unhealthy LDL cholesterol and ridding it from your body.  Pair it with a cup of coffee so you are alert enough to snatch the…

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PHOTO GALLERY: Extreme Pita Grand Opening

Orland Park restaurant gave away free pitas for a whole year to the first 25 people in line.

Chris Cook thinks it's fun to do weird things with his friends. That was his explanation for not sleeping the whole night leading up to Extreme Pita's grand opening Friday morning. He and three friends wanted to be within the first 25 people into the restaurant, for they would be the lucky winners of free pitas for an entire year. "It's better to not sleep at all than to sleep a little," Cook said. Cook manages nearby Dania Furniture and said he stayed up taking walks between the two buildings. About 50 patrons were on hand for the grand opening, along with members of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. Manager Darrell Hall said the LaGrange Road store has been open since mid-August so they were ready for the crowd. "This is really …

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