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‘Idol’ changes will face
nation’s scrutiny
Simon says
bye-bye after
this season
By DARLA ATLAS
Special Contributor
As the ninth season of
American Idol revs up, the
nation has questions.
Since Simon Cowell
confirmed Monday he won’t be
returning next year and will
focus instead on a new talent
search show, is this the
beginning of the end? Will
Paula Abdul’s absence make us
wistful or joyful? How weird
will it be to see Ellen
DeGeneres at the judges’
Host Ryan Seacrest welcomed auditioners in Boston.
SOCIAL MEDIA | CANCER AWARENESS
Facebook posts
colorful for cause
By DARLA ATLAS
B
Special Contributor
ras sure do come in
lots of colors. This
information is courte-
sy of Facebook, whose
members in recent days have
latched on to a viral status-
updating campaign. Its origins
are unclear — some suspect it
started overseas — but the
intent is simple: Update your
Facebook status each day with
the hue of your bra to raise
awareness for breast cancer.
The result: status lines that
simply say, “plaid.” Or “cham-
pagne.” Perhaps “canary yellow
with pink trim.”
Silly? Sure. But the Dallas-
based Susan G. Komen for the
Cure breast cancer foundation
couldn’t be more pleased.
Although the idea didn’t come
from Komen, the group’s
Facebook page has reaped the
benefits.
Komen spokeswoman
Andrea Rader says the page
had 134,000 fans on Friday
morning. After people began
posting their bra colors, the
number jumped to 136,000. By
Monday, the total was 142,784
and counting.
“We’re so delighted,” Rader
says. “We think this is just a
phenomenal example of how
powerful the Internet can be in
getting this message out.”
Although most of the posts
The future of
medicine,today.
More than 2,000 of the best medical minds on one mission: to cure.
utsouthwestern.org
214-645-8300
_ . . . . . . . .
One free kids meal with purchase of adult entree, at DFW area locations.
Arts, Entertainment & Life Section E Tuesday, January 12, 2010
HEALTHY LIVING SPECIAL FOCUS | FITNESS
In the classes, “I found support, care and camaraderie that
American Idol
have both encouraged me and challenged me.”
7 tonight and Wednesday, Fox Natalie Dickey
(Channel 4). 2 hrs. tonight, 90 mins.
Wednesday.
table? And when will we fully
accept Kara DioGuardi?
Sure, the show has
weathered cast shakeups in the
past, but they’ve never been
this dramatic. (It seems to
have managed without Season
1 co-host Brian Dunkleman.)
But in a conference call with
reporters on Friday, Randy
Jackson tried to steer the talk
back to the basics.
“Let’s focus on what we’re
judging and what the real meat
See DALLAS Page 3E
KYE R. LEE/Staff Photographer
Fox
Body Pump at Gold’s Gym in Arlington has helped Natalie Dickey (front) drop 85 pounds.
To get fit,
on the Komen Facebook page
find the right fit
have been positive, Rader says
the foundation has heard from
a few who feel that telling Make sure your gym will work out for you
everyone about your bra trivi-
alizes breast cancer. “And it’s
By CHRISTY ROBINSON gym, pay attention to its
A
completely understandable if Special Contributor
you’re a survivor or you’re going cleanliness and whether
through this,” she says. “But the new year, a new you. You told yourself there are enough cardio
way we look at it, this gets so machines to meet demand
you were going to join a gym — and during peak hours.
many people engaged and
involved that we see it as a actually keep going this time. Just like Don’t forget to put your
positive thing.” personal tastes and needs
last year. on the checklist: hours that
On Monday, the Komen
Facebook wall had a new color And 2008. And 1998. accommodate your
update every few seconds: schedule; sign-up and
Fitness centers provide some of the best
“Pink! I’m a survivor!” membership fees that fit
“I lost my grandmother, opportunities to shape up. What you need is a game your budget; child care; and
availability of amenities you
mother and I’m a survivor. Get plan for finding the right place, making fitness goals
checked early … I’m wearing would enjoy, such as a
white.” and sticking to them. swimming pool, sauna or
Could bra-color revelations senior workout programs.
really lead to lives saved? Rader Just like buying a house, INSIDE Ann Orsinger of Dallas
believes it’s possible. location is one of the most recently tried the Park
Which gym is right
“The majority of people who important considerations Cities Family YMCA with
for you? 12E
read something we put out, when choosing a gym — free passes.
Avoid being ripped off 12E
they do something about it,” she ideally, close to home or “I tried the yoga class
Take your time 12E
says. “They schedule a mam- work. Some fitness chains because a Y membership is
mogram or make a donation or let you have it both ways, less expensive than what I
talk to their family. Awareness allowing you to work out at Southlake. am currently spending …
is half the battle here.” more than one location. Many gyms will let you and I thought it would be
The campaign may also be “The gym that’s most try before you buy. For great if I could get yoga, a
raising awareness on a purely convenient for you is the one example, 24 Hour Fitness pool and all the other
fun front. “White,” one person you’re more likely to go to,” will give you a seven-day benefits of the Y for less
wrote. “But after the first post- said Kelli Houston, pass to give it a spin, than I am paying now,” she
ing of this, I went and bought a assistant fitness manager at Houston said.
pretty purple one!” 24 Hour Fitness Sport in While you’re trying out a See WANT Page 12E
Darla Atlas is a Fort Worth
freelance writer.
darlajatlas@yahoo.com.
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12E Tuesday, January 12, 2010 GuideLive.com _ HEALTHY LIVING dallasnews.com The Dallas Morning News

Want to get fit? Find a good gym fit

Continued from Page 1E
said.
But the gold standard
Finding the right gym
for any gym’s worthiness is Not all gyms are created equal. Here’s a guide to finding one
how responsive its that matches your interests.
employees are.
“If the staff isn’t willing If you Then look into
to help you, how are you
Have kids A gym with on-site child care
going to reach your goals?”
included in membership costs,
Houston says.
which has become a standard
Speaking of goals, it’s benefit at many centers.
important to get a new
member assessment or to A facility with athletic-focused
hire a trainer to help clearly Want to train programs, such as Velocity
define what you want out of for a specific sport Sports Performance.
your gym membership
experience, Houston says. A gym that actively
“We have clients close Are especially discourages a hard-core,
their eyes and picture what self-conscious see-and-be-seen atmosphere,
they want — how they feel, such as Planet Fitness, which
what they look like, what touts its “Judgment Free Zone”
philosophy.
they’re doing, who’s
surrounding them when
The Silver Sneakers fitness
they meet this goal. It needs Are an older adult program at participating gyms.
to be so clear they can taste Dozens of Medicare health
it, they can see it,” she said. plans will cover your gym
Help stay motivated by membership costs at these
rewarding yourself. FILE 2006/Staff photo locations.
Houston suggests putting It’s important to check out the equipment at a gym, to be sure that there is plenty to
incentives at the end of accommodate the crowds during peak times. Special programs designed for
your goals, such as a Are pregnant pregnancy, such as Power Play
Fitness Training Studio’s
massage, a new workout pounds. Where to go Prenatal Boot Camp.
outfit, tennis shoes or a “I do still find myself
pedicure. very intimidated by all of Here’s a list of popular Dallas-area fitness centers and their Web
sites to help you find the best location. A gym that offers supplemental
One of the strongest the machines that I walk
Like gadgets techy tools, such as 24 Hour
motivators of all is pure, past on my way to group Fitness’ bodybugg, used by the
sweaty fun. If you don’t fitness,” she says. 24 Hour Fitness Cooper Fitness Center
contestants on NBC’s The
enjoy working toward your In the classes, “I found 24hourfitness.com cooperaerobics.com
Biggest Loser, and the chain’s
goals, you’ll risk wanting to support, care and YMCA Baylor Tom Landry new My24 iPhone app.
throw in the towel. camaraderie that have both ymca.net Fitness Center
A friend told Natalie encouraged me and Gold’s Gym baylortomlandryfitness
Are a woman and don’t A Curves for Women
Dickey, a stay-at-home center.com
challenged me,” Dickey goldsgym.com want to exercise around health club.
mother of two who lives in says. “I really have learned LA Fitness The Texas Club men
Arlington, about how much to love exercise and the lafitness.com thetexasclubfitness.com A club that’s open around the
fun she was having in the feeling of accomplishment I Life Time Fitness Anytime Fitness Keep a strange schedule clock, such as Anytime Fitness
group fitness classes at have when I finish a class.” lifetimefitness.com anytimefitness.com and some 24 Hour Fitness
Gold’s Gym in South centers.
Christy Robinson is a Dallas recreation centers Bally Total Fitness
Arlington. A year and a half freelance writer in Dallas. dallasparks.org/facilities/ ballyfitness.com
Christy Robinson
later, those classes have recreation.aspx Larry North Fitness Club
helped Dickey lose 85 healthyliving@dallasnews.com larrynorth.com

WALK, JOG, RUN MEMBERSHIPS

Tortoise pace is Study gym and

contract before
OK to start, you sign
pro says By CHRISTY ROBINSON
Special Contributor

By DEBBIE FETTERMAN In the 1990s, a gym membership

Diane Proud (right), with Joan Morris at the Cooper Aerobics Center, cautions beginners
not to go all out from the get-go. “Getting injured won’t do you any favors.”
“We have finally found
the answer to losing weight.
We were surprised how fast
we lost. Everyone says we
look so much younger,
we were never hungry
and the pounds just
melted off. The
food choices
were amazing.
Thank you
Slim4Life
for our new life!”
Join Today
and Start Being
Happy Tomorrow!
Special Contributor was almost synonymous with
Diane Proud, running pro at the Cooper Clinic, high-pressure sales tactics,
offers an easy, effective way for anyone to achieve an deception, confusing contracts and
active lifestyle they can maintain and build upon. ruined credit reports.
Her 12-week plan to walk, jog or run a 5K is for After lawsuits, bad publicity and
anyone who does not currently exercise, has low complaints to the government, the
fitness or is resuming after a period of inactivity. industry cleaned up its act. But you
Proud says beginners’ top priority should be to still risk a strain on your fitness
establish a solid foundation. She advises everyone to experience if you don’t understand
FILE 2009/Staff photo
take it slow to give the what you’re getting into.
body time to build Sticking Take these pointers from the
aerobic and neuro- Federal Trade Commission.
muscular fitness, with the plan
especially those who
were once quite
Diane Proud of the Cooper
Clinic offers these pointers
Know the gym
athletic but haven’t for beginning runners: ❧ Use the free trial period to find
been active for years. ❧ Make sure you’re in out how crowded it gets during peak
“When January proper footwear. hours.
hits, most are raring ❧ Have a buddy or join a ❧ If the salesperson says the gym
to go, eager to jump group. “It’s easy to show up is planning for new amenities, such
into running, and for a workout when you’re as a day care center, a new track or a
often, it’s too hard,” expected.” swimming pool, press for details.
!"#$% she said. “People see ❧ Have your gear ready the “Find out how long they’ve been
night before. “Plan against
themselves in better promising that, and ask to see the
failure.”
physical condition contract” for the promised work,
❧ Be patient. Your body
and much fitter than needs time to adapt to new
said Collot Guerard, an attorney in
reality. They often joint and muscle stress to the FTC’s Division of Marketing
ramp up way too prevent injury. Practices.
much too soon and ❧ Take a long view. This is ❧ Understand the gym’s hours of
end up injured and the start of what could be a operation. For instance, only some
cannot stay consis- lifetime of fitness, assuming 24 Hour Fitness clubs are actually
tent, then lose moti- you exercise sensibly. open 24 hours a day.
vation.” ❧ Nothing is more
important than your health.
Initial workouts
should be low-exer-
Treat exercise as Know the contract
untouchable. Guess what?
tion efforts. She ❧ Find out how to cancel, if there
The other stuff somehow
recommends jogging manages to get done. is a cooling-off period if you change
more slowly than you your mind, and how much notice is
think you need to and See Diane Proud’s complete required to cancel.
inserting walk breaks.
12-week plan, and read
❧ Make sure everything the

ear,
previous stories about her,
To get started, pace at dallasnews.com/ salesperson hawked as a member
w Y
Ne You!
Stephanie White Pat Trammel should be based on benefit is in the contract. Are there
Haslet, TX Rhome, TX healthyliving.
the talk test. You can any gym amenities that are off-limits

New 7
I Lost 86 lbs. I Lost 87 lbs.
be sweating and breathing hard, but if you can still to someone with your membership
00*
$ talk, you’re doing fine. If you can’t, then slow down. level? What costs extra?
Now *Prog
ram Servic
e F ee She recommends increasing the duration of your
workouts instead of the intensity. Work out regularly
❧ Ask whether you can transfer
your membership to a different
three to fives times a week. After about three months location if you move. “Read the fine
of consistent buildup, she says increasing the effort is print in the contract,” Guerard said.
appropriate. She cautions not to go all out. ❧ Do the math to make sure you
9 Centers in the DFW Metro Area to Serve You
“Wiping yourself out and getting injured won’t do can afford the total cost of your
Las Colinas Now Open! you any favors,” she said. membership. “Ask how often the
9 Metro Locations She also recommends cross-training once or
twice a week to supplement fitness.
membership costs increase, and ask
what it’s been in the past,” Guerard
Call Today For Your Free Consultation Debbie Fetterman is a Plano freelance writer. said.

1-469-730-SLIM (7546)
Christy Robinson is a freelance
fitinthecity@dfwrunning.com writer in Dallas.

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