Hello, Qcitymetro family. Today’s Wednesday Wellness - Fitness News You Can Use, explores gym etiquette, beating cancer, foods to decrease belly fat and a volunteer opportunity that makes me smile! ~ Sondra E.Z. Hines

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Cover that up!

I sometimes wonder if gym etiquette still exists.

This crossed my mind yesterday as I scurried from the women’s locker room to a weight training class. On the way out, I crisscrossed the shower area. Amidst the backdrop of an otherwise typical locker area was a woman showering with the curtain wide open! Is this behavior appropriate for the gym, or should women (and men, too) practice a little modesty when showering in public facilities?

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
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With colon cancer, timing is everything

Regular Qcitymetro readers know that I recently lost a dear college friend to cancer. Thus, I was intrigued at the news that one cancer – colon cancer, the second-leading cause of U.S. deaths -- is preventable.

Men’s Health reports that early colonoscopy screenings determines the effectiveness of catching colon cancer. According to researchers, it takes at least 30 years for polyps to grow on the colon wall. These polyps slowly grow into tumors. So, if the cancer is detected within the first 20-plus years, survival rates are high.

"Everyone who dies does so because the tumor wasn't detected in the first 25 years of its existence," explains Bert Vogelstein, M.D., a cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins University and one of the leading authorities in the genetic foundations of colorectal cancer. "There's a huge window of opportunity to beat this disease," he says.

I’ve said this before and it bears repeating, see your physician regularly and don’t skip health screenings.
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What food flattens the midsection?

Did you know there is one food that reportedly helps whittle away the waistline? It’s affordable, may cause flatulence, and it makes an appearance annually on New Years Day (for those desiring good luck).

You guessed it – beans.

Whether your beans are red and served with rice or black plopped on a burrito, beans are rich in soluble fiber. According to a five-year study, eating lots of beans (or foods rich in this type of fiber) appeared to help fight belly fat. More specifically, the study, found on Real Age.com, credits soluble fiber as having weight management benefits, as in a flatter belly. (And I thought my flat stomach is due to endless crunches, and other belly-blasting exercises, along with a sensible diet and regular exercise.)

The site goes on to say, “for every 10 grams of soluble fiber a person consumed daily, 3.7 percent less belly fat was gained over time.”

A flat belly is not the only health benefit from eating beans. Excess fat around the stomach area, also referred to a visceral fat, leads to an increase in dangerous illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

“Scientists aren't exactly sure how fiber cuts down that fat in the middle, but there's no reason to hold off when we already know of so many great health benefits from eating more fiber.”
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I smile

Here is an update to last week’s free dental clinic to be held in Charlotte Friday – Sunday, August 19 to August 21, at the Charlotte Convention Center:

The planning organization, N.C. Mission of Mercy (NC-MOM), is appealing to the public to lend an hour or two to volunteer. MOM anticipates treating 2,000-plus people over three days who have little to no dental insurance.

Although I have zero medical training, I signed up to help. Whether I’m running errands, working the information desk or greeting patients, I’m blessed to be part of this worthy event. Interested in helping?

Visit www.ncmom-charlotte.com and complete a short volunteer form. Perhaps I’ll see you there, and I promise to smile!

In health and wellness,

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Sondra E. Z. Hines is an adjunct professor of health and wellness and is certified to teach group fitness and Zumba. Email: sondraezhines@yahoo.com.

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