Wednesday, February 21st was the perfect day for celebrating FitFest’s 25th Silver Anniversary held recently at the Brewton Area YMCA. It was awesome and all of you who attended helped to make it a BIG SUCCESS!
D. W. McMillan Memorial Hospital’s Home Health staff, the technicians from the Hospital’s Lab and Medical Equipment, Escambia County Extension System and Gamma Theta Chapter volunteers worked quickly and efficiently to register and provide health screenings for our guests in a timely manner.
It was simply delightful to have Medical and Health Care Vendors exhibiting their products. They had very attractive exhibit tables and gave our guests souvenirs, brochures, and important information concerning medical resources available in our community. They also provided door prizes for the participants.
The primary purpose of the FitFest Program is to encourage senior citizens and others in the community and surrounding areas to become fully informed and pro-active about their health and to improve their lifestyles. It also informs individuals about the special medical services offered to them.
It was wonderful to see old friends, meet new ones and chat with people from neighboring areas including Atmore, East Brewton, and Evergreen.
I heard several people state how surprised they were that their blood pressure was elevated.
The participants were encouraged to take the results from the health screenings to their doctors or healthcare providers. Then as a follow-up have the results place in their medical files.
The wonderful laboratory staff worked diligently to provide screenings and interpret results for participants. The final compiled test results from our health screenings were mailed promptly to all participants by Tanya Thompson, Human Resource Personnel. WOW!
I got my results within a week. All screenings were done as a free collaborative effort of different departments at D. W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.
The Escambia County Extension - Saundra Anthony and – Gamma Theta Chapter-Gussie McQueen provided a community service as they helped to register all guests.
This was the 25th year, our Silver Anniversary, for us to host the FitFest Program.
It was one of the best Health care programs we have ever had.
I am proud that many of you have supported us through the years by coming to secure medical services in our “One-stop-health-care” type environment.
Your faithful attendance has help the program thrive though the years.
We would like to give a BIG THANKS to our presenters Chef Marilyn Wiley, Director of Foods and Nutrition at DWMM Hospital, who fascinated us with the variety of smoothies she made demonstrating how “Eating Heart Healthy” can be easy and nutritious.
She also reminded us to eat more plant based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grain, low-fat dairy, less salt and less sugar).
Vivian Layton, Senior Director at the Brewton Area YMCA, provided dynamic insights on “Top 10 Best Exercises for Senior Adults.” She offered great tips on easy chair and doable exercises everyone can do to stay physical fit. Ms Layton also encouraged everyone to spend at least 30 minutes a day just moving in 10 minutes increments.
Dr. W. Henry Langhorne lll, FACC, a Cardiologists from Cardiologist Baptist Medical Group, Pensacola, Florida, gave perfect “Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Heart”.
He mentioned that they are doing new studies in Cardiology and are finding better ways to help patients.
He encouraged everyone to see their healthcare provider at least once a year, follow their advice and also reiterated what our other two speakers said: To exercise regularly, eat a heathy diet made of lots of plant based foods (fruits, veggies, whole grain, low fat, etc.) eat smaller portions and read Nutrition Facts Labels before making purchases.
We would like to THANK the following medical service providers (vendors/exhibitors) for sharing great information and for providing door prizes: Amedisys Home Health, Comfort Care Hospice, Country Place Senior Living, D. W. McMillan Memorial Hospital’s: Home Health Care, Laboratory, and Home Medical Equipment; Escambia County Children’s Policy Council, Main Street Family Urgent Care, The Meadows Assisted Living, and West Gate Village. Other sponsors who donated their services were The National Sorority of Phi Delta Chapter, Inc. – Gamma Theta Chapter and friends who would like to remain anonymous.
We also appreciate the many suggestions and comments you made to improve FitFest for next year too.
I would be remiss if I did not THANK “Y” Director Steve Dicky, and Darly Curry‘s crew for setting up tables and chairs; and Anita Chavers and Anita Miller for making sure the refreshments were replenished. Also, Tanya Thompson, Human Resource Personnel for mailing screening results amazingly fast and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s-Office Staff (Saundra Anthony, Sue Cooper, Anthony Wiggins for royally supporting FitFest 2018 (They printed flyers, labeled water bottles, carried chairs, tables and gave moral support).
Upmost, I want to recognize Alice Anderson, Director of DWMM Hospital’s Laboratory. She was a terrific source of encouragement while I was worked on FitFest 2018 and kept me on task. I really appreciate everything all of YOU did to support our 25th Silver Annual Celebration.
It was rewarding to realize that FitFest 2018 was successful because of the collaboration of many caring and dedicated people wanting to provide a service for the community.
When people work together for a common goal, they can accomplish a lot. Thanks again for your continued support of the Annual FitFest Program. We hope to see you next year!
Below is one of the favorite nutritious Green Smoothie Recipes prepared by Chef “M” (Marilyn Wiley):
Ingredients:
• 2 cups of greens-spinach, kale, romaine, Swiss Chard, etc. (Greens have lots of vitamin and minerals that are great for your heart)
• 1 Banana (Bananas are high in potassium to help blood pressure and naturally sweet)
• 1 cup of frozen mixed berries (Berries have lots of antioxidants and fiber)
• ½ cup unsweetened Greek yogurt (Greek yogurt is a good source of protein to keep your energy steady)
• 1 ½ cups low sugar juice (orange, apple, etc.)
• 1 serving of healthy fats: 2 Tablespoons flax seed, chia seed, almond butter, avocado, peanut butter (Fats can be good for your heart- just choose monounsaturated and omega 3 fatty acids, which lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol)
Directions:
Place the juice and yogurt into blender first. Add the greens, the bananas, berries and fat. Blend until completely pulverized. Add some ice if you like it a little frosty! Enjoy!
