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Red Deer Express 3
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING
Author details weight loss journey in new book BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express Red Deerian Carmen Tayles shares not only helpful tips on achieving a healthy weight in her new book, but she also reflects on her own personal journey in getting there. No ‘Stone’ Unturned – Achieving a Healthy Weight for Life was released last year, and chapters cover a wide spectrum of subjects from exploring the importance of proper food choices, the selection of supplements, tips for exercise and the psychology behind weight gain and weight loss. It’s all told in a very accessible, and very wellresearched style. From the start, Tayles is also very open about her own experiences – she candidly reflects on her own struggles with weight early on and her eventual triumph over it. Those moments are some of the strongest in the book, because they really connect the reader to Tayles – often those of us who have weight issues have similarities in our backgrounds. Her insightful comments are, in many ways, the highlights of the material. “I think that when you are told over and over again that you are fat, you start to believe it and see no alternative there,” she said, referring to her memories of her mother and grandma always talking about being and/or getting fat. Anxiety over weight issues began to surface early on. “It wasn’t until I started writing the book that I could actually pinpoint when it first became an issue for me. It took me way back to when I was five.” For example, her grandmother felt that oatmeal everyday was a mistake, as she thought it was contributing to Tayles’ weight problem. “It was my favourite breakfast – I would get up looking forward to that. One morning, there was a piece of toast sitting there. I said where’s my oatmeal, and she said you guys aren’t getting that anymore – you’re getting fat. I thought, what does that mean? “As I was growing up, they were always on me about my weight. I’m also tall, so I was also always bigger than the other kids my age. “So it made me more self-conscious, to be always reminded of that.” She re-
calls starting to sneak food into her room as to bypass the criticism, which included raiding the freezer for Christmas baking prior to the holiday season. There was of course teasing at school, too. So on goes the depletion of a healthy sense of self-esteem, and food becomes a source of comfort, which in turn leads to increased instances of emotional eating. “It’s a psychological issue. We try to fill a void with food – it’s just like selfmedicating.” As the years passed, Tayles tried a number of diets and did experience success. But the pounds would return. Ultimately, Tayles realized she was obsessed with her weight, but it wasn’t helping her to slim down. She eventually went for counseling, and began to see that weight issues were a part of her life, but weren’t her whole life. She also began to tackle issues like negative self-talk and a negative self-image. She began to utilize visualization as a tool to alter her thinking about her body and the body that she ultimately wanted to have. “It’s very powerful – it works really well. It’s definitely one of the pieces to the puzzle in achieving your goal.” It also speaks to the power of the mind when it comes to reaching one’s goal with weight. “Psychological issues must be addressed to become a life-time non-smoker and it’s no different as it relates to becoming successful at losing and keeping weight off,” she writes. “We fail to lose weight not because of will power, but because we have failed to resolve our issues, inner conflicts and thoughts. When we think we have failed, we give ourselves permission to revert back to our regular routines because these are easiest for us.” As mentioned earlier, the book of course offers plenty of practical advice on choosing healthy, fresh foods and eliminating as much as possible boxed and processed choices. Drinking a proper amount of water, getting the right amount of rest, adopting an active lifestyle and watching portion sizes are also keys to success, she said. A sense of accountability can also do a world of good, too. “A weight loss
CARMEN TAYLES group also provides the support most people need to be held accountable, to know that you are not alone, and that there are many people in your position that share your feelings,” she writes. Tayles is careful to consistently recommend folks that medical advice is essential, as everyone’s situation is different. There’s a great sense of balance throughout as well. She recognizes that there will be days when you crave something sweet, and that completely depriving yourself is never wise. As for dealing with painful parts of her past, Tayles opts to look at how even the hardest circumstances can ultimately bring some form of good into our lives. “It makes me grateful and thankful everyday that I’ve had the opportunity to actually experience all of these different things because when I run into someone who is maybe being tested or tried by something like this, I can maybe empathize with them for a moment.” Weight loss should be an exciting jury, not one of drudgery, as she alludes to in the closing chapter. “Celebrate your baby steps to success and really love yourself; who you were, who you are, and who you will become on this amazing journey.” For more information
about the book, or to purchase a copy, check out www.carmentayles.com or
find her on facebook under ‘Carmen Tayles – author’. Copies can also be bought
at Only Women’s Fitness and Nutter’s. editor@reddeerexpress.com
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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, March 18, 2015
‘Think Social Winter Program’ engages social skills BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express For some children, social interaction is not an easy task. It can be difficult for them to express thoughts, read body language and communicate effectively. That’s where the Think Social Winter Program comes in. The program is presented by the Learning Disability Association of Red Deer, but is not strictly for children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. “The program is a social skills program for kids who need help making friends or keeping friends. It’s for kids who need help with starting conversations, reading body language and other difficulties that children with learning disabilities - or really any child - can have making friends,” said program director Jeanette Davis. Registration for the program is best
done in person at the Association’s office. “Lots of children with learning disabilities have low self esteem and have trouble making connections with other children, especially if they have associated behavioral issues. ADHD is prevalent in a large number of kids with learning disabilities, and that’s the only kind of way it’s not invisible. These kids are acting out,” Davis said. “For some of these kids, the problem is their peers don’t like the way they are behaving and they’ve got certain personality traits that make it hard to understand how they are behaving. However, I think the important thing is it is open to everyone, not just kids who are identified as having a learning disability. If there are parents who feel their child would benefit and could learn something from this program to have more positive peer relationships,
then they are welcome.” She said she creates each program to target the needs of individual children so parents can feel assured their child is receiving the maximum benefit. “What we usually do is the facilitators will role-play things in front of the kids, and we will have a de-briefing and discussion about what is right and wrong with the situation. We get the kids to look at what might have been weird or awkward and why that behaviour isn’t going to work. We look at the unappealing behaviours and then show the kids how they can change those behaviours into something positive. “We then work on the skills through roleplaying and games. We have games where we have to have meaningful questions and conversations to continue. “Within two or three weeks of the program, people will start noticing the chang-
es, either parents or teachers. We get feedback from the parents to make sure they are happy with the program and see if they are noticing a difference in their child.” Davis said the program has even brought in yoga instructors to teach deep relaxing breathing techniques for the kids. She said they also discuss why different people get upset over different things, and things that are realistic to be upset about and what things are not. She said the kids also learn how to recognize the difference between anger and disappointment. The program will run two groups, starting with ages seven to nine on April 8th and April 14th for the older age group. The registration deadline for the sessions is April 2nd. For more information, call the LDA at 403-340-3885. kmendonsa@reddeereexpress.com
Course offers help for families affected by divorce BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express Divorce and separation can be a trying time for anyone especially if there are children involved. Family Services of Central Alberta (FSCA) is available to help Central Albertans navigate the complex world of parent-
ing after separation while helping to maintain emotional and mental health of a family. On March 28th, FSCA is offering a ‘Parenting After Separation’ course. Charlotte Dennehy, clinical manager for FSCA explained the course aims to help parents understand the impacts their split may
have on their children as well as help to understand the legal realm of divorce and separation. “The purpose of the program is to help parents make the adjustment of divorce or separation easier on their children. Having parents understand the full emotional impact on their children and on themselves
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and how the legal process works is very important.” She explained one of the biggest issues facing parents going through a divorce or separation is understanding that you are now in a co-parenting relationship and no longer a spousal relationship. “It’s hard for some to understand that things like what the other person does is no longer of their concern,” said Dennehy. “And often times each parent has very different ways of parenting and it can be hard to develop a strategy.” Parents will have to inform their children of the separation, in which Dennehy explained will occasionally lead to negative choices made by parents in which they may inadvertently affect their children by confiding in them their feelings about their partner and perhaps talking negatively about the other parent, which she said is not healthy for the children. “What family research
has shown is that divorce itself doesn’t necessarily hurt children, it’s the conflict between parents that will really hurts them. “If parents are constantly fighting and in turmoil, it will have negative impacts – kids intuitively know they are part of both of their parents, so if they hear dad or mom speaking negatively of the other person then they think because they are a creation of their parents, they are the negative things they’ve heard their parent speak.” The free course delves into the impacts a divorce and separation will have on children of varying ages and what type of behaviour to expect depending on a child’s temperament and age. Dennehy explained from a legal perspective there are financial benefits to taking the course as well. “Rather than phoning your lawyer two to three times a week, if you know and understand how the
legal system works and promote mediation then it will save you a lot of money,” she stated. “If you can both learn to work with the legal system and understand custody versus access, child support and alimony and the residences for the children then the entire process is going to be easier.” Some feedback FSCA has heard from past participants of the course is that they wish they would’ve taken the course earlier in the divorce or separation. “Central Alberta has a very high divorce rate and it’s important for parents to watch and make sure their actions aren’t negatively affecting their children so I often tell people that even if they are thinking about divorce or separation – go,” said Dennehy. “Because it’s going to show you divorce isn’t easy, often times people think divorce is an easy way out but it isn’t.” To register for the course, visit www.fsca.ca. jswan@reddeerexpress.com
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Red Deer Express 5
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING
Experts point out downsides to technology overuse in kids BY JENNA HANGER Red Deer Express It’s not uncommon to see a group of people hanging out together, each holding a cell phone which is frequently checked for texts, social media alerts or other notifications. It’s also not unusual to walk into a family home and see dad on the laptop, mom watching TV and all the kids streaming videos or playing games on the iPad. Some health officials are saying what has become a normal way of life is having consequences, especially on the younger generation who are being raised in a society that’s growing increasingly dependent on and accustomed to technology. Cris Rowan, a pediatric occupational therapist from B.C. and CEO of Zone’in Programs Inc. has been all over the world educating the masses about the physical and mental health issues associated with technology overuse. According to a research review by Rowan, found on www.zonein.ca, excess technology has been related to the rise in children with mental health and behavioural issues. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, aggression, increased impulsivity, depression and an inability to self-regulate. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports almost 20% of children suffer from mental health issues, two-thirds of these suffer from multiple disorders. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics have laid out guidelines that say infants between zero to two years shouldn’t be exposed to any technology, three to five years should be limited to one hour a day, and six to 18 years only two hours a day. Rowan’s research report says children are using an average of four to five times the recommended amount. According to the Bristol University study in 2010, children who use more than the suggested hours have a 60% increase in psychological disorders. Studies have also shown radiation from wireless devices can do more damage
to children then to adults. “The problem with children that is most worrisome is that children have thinner skulls and more water in their bodies which causes them to absorb more radiation, and they have higher cell turnover,” Rowan said. Obesity is another issue arising from overusing technology. The Canadian Community Health Survey in 2013 found one in five youths from 12-17 were overweight or obese. Recent studies have also shown excessive time playing video games not only affects children’s weight, but also the way their brain is forming. Rowan said research has shown the frontal lobe of children who spend an excessive amount of time on video games is noticeably deteriorating because of the lack of healthy stimulus. But it’s not just in younger kids where there is concern about technology overuse, it’s happening with the older age groups as well, experts have said. It’s an important stage of life when teenagers separate from their parents and form their own social group. But when they turn to varieties of social media to try and connect with their friends it’s not meeting their needs. “(They) want to have this meaningful conversation with somebody but instead they just do facebooking or texting. “They never get what they are really seeking, which is meaningful connection,” Rowan said. “All their parents are thinking they are connecting socially, but there is a poverty of connection and it’s not meaningful for them.” Rowan said parents need to take the initiative to get themselves off of technology and spend time with their children, which is very important for their early developments. The Zone’in report said Canadian parents spend an average of 3.5 minutes per week having meaningful conversation with their children and 20% don’t know how to play with them. Ultimately, technology is one of those things the say-
ing ‘everything in moderation’ is key, experts say. “The most important thing really, it’s the second step in my 10-step plan, is for the parents to pull themselves off tech and make themselves available to the child. Because I have never seen a child with a problem that didn’t have parents with a bigger problem.”
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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Schools better equipped to deal with cyber bullies BY ERIN FAWCETT Red Deer Express Red Deer schools are being proactive about the issues of cyber-bullying. Both Red Deer Public and Red Deer Catholic divisions have programs and resources put in place to help combat cyber-bullying. “When it comes to providing safe and caring environments for our students, this is a primary concern for us,” said Paul Mason, superintendent with the Red Deer Catholic School division. “With the developments of social media and students having access to each other 24-7, this has added another element to continue to provide a safe and caring environment. “The ways we look to address this are along the lines of prevention and being proactive in our approach.” He added a number of Red Deer Catholic School officials recently attended a cyber-bullying workshop. “They looked at topics and themes and how to recognize cyber-bullying. We
want to ensure that our staff are trained to be able to recognize and deal with as it does occur.” According to the survey ‘Protecting Canadian Families Online’, conducted by Leger on behalf of Primus Telecommunications, parents are more concerned about cyber-bullying (48%) than they are about teen pregnancy (44%), drug use (40%) or alcohol use (38%). As well, one in five parents admit to knowing their ‘underage’ children have facebook accounts. Nearly one in five parents (16%) reported knowing their children between the ages of eight and 10 have a facebook account, despite a 13-year age minimum in place for having an account. The survey also found the majority of parents (81%) feel that they are most responsible for protecting their children from cyber-bullying. And when parents were asked who else should be responsible for protecting their child they responded schools (54%), social media companies (41%), the government
(31%) and friends (30%). The survey showed that one in 10 parents admit to being aware their child, or one of their child’s friends, has received images or messages online intended to hurt someone. For parents who learn that their child is being cyber-bullied, education remains the primary form of defense, the survey concluded. Jeremy Horlings, vice principal at Gateway Christian School said students need to remember there are severe consequences to any kind of bullying. “Digital actions have real world consequences,” he said. “We will deal with cyber-bullying issues in the school regularly and in different variations. It’s about educating kids and making them aware. “One of the things that we have to mindful of is that the idea of sending anonymous notes that are hurtful is not new. You think of when we went through school the ‘bully’ was a bigger person, a physically stronger person and
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now we have different categories of cyber-bullies,” he said. “You have cyberbullies that everyone would see as an angel in class – a really well mannered person – but they are a passive aggressive person. “They are quiet and people might have said or done things to them and they don’t say or do anything – they are very compliant. All of a sudden, they get on their computer and it gives them that access to be the bully. “If they are technologically-savvy, then that becomes their muscle – it becomes their chance to get back. “They can create false profiles of other students or they can create a fake profile and make terrible comments.” Horlings added part of the problem is that youth have great access to one another, cyber-bullying can happen day or night. “Bullying used to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. within the confines of the school. It was horrible but you could also generally escape it and go home and it didn’t follow you. “With cyber-bullying it follows you – your phone buzzes when you are getting on the bus, your phone buzzes when you are sitting at the supper table, you go to your desktop or laptop and it’s there. They call it 24/7 bullying. It doesn’t leave you. That is something that is concerning because they don’t feel like they can escape it.” Horlings added the type
of technology also plays a role in the accessibility to cyber-bullying. “What I have seen more and more are different apps and different types of social networking sites that allow it to become easier to fall into the temptation of cyber-bullying. “For example, things like anonymous social networking sites. Because these are anonymous, kids are getting extremely negative and we are seeing attacks.” Ron Eberts, associate superintendent – technology services for Red Deer Public Schools said cyberbullying has been around for a long time. “With the proliferation of the various media, when it was just facebook, or just Twitter, or just Instagram – it wasn’t as much. But now with Snapchat and the ability to say something and have your tracks clean behind you – it gave people who were bullies already a safer place from their point of view to do their bullying.” He added if any student is being cyber-bullied, he urges them to seek support. “What we want to make sure our kids know is that if they are being cyberbullied, they need to tell someone – their parents, a teacher, a counselor at school. Trying to deal with it on your own is not the way to go. Building a support system is key. “The more people you can tell and you can get involved the better.” Meanwhile, Primus is joining forces with PRE-
VNet, the country’s leading authority on bullying prevention, to develop an elearning program designed for Canadian parents and adults to use with children and youth. With the goal of reducing the incidence of cyber-bullying across the country, the program is scheduled to launch later this year and will be the first interactive resource of its kind. “Our research shows online safety has become a top concern for parents across the country and our aim, as one of Canada’s leading ISPs, is to help them understand how to deal with it - even before it becomes a problem,” said Brad Fisher, Primus executive and online safety advocate. “By partnering with PREVNet, we can provide parents and adults working with youth a much-needed resource so they can turn their concerns into positive action. “This program will arm them with the knowledge, skills, support and confidence they need to tackle this important issue and, most importantly, protect their kids. According to PREVNet, though, youth and adults may not be speaking the same language when it pertains to online communications and cyber-bullying prevention. “The rate of digital interactions will only increase as technology continues to evolve,” said Dr. Wendy Craig, scientific co-director at PREVNet. efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
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WARRIOR WOMEN – Maxine Winchester leads a yoga session at the Yoga Alliance of Red Deer (YARD). YARD, which has been in operation since 2002 is the only non-profit yoga association in Red Deer and has a variety of classes and programs in place for people of all ages and skill levels. Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express
Red Deer Express 7
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING
momstown Central Alberta offers a range of programs BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express Coordinators with momstown Central Alberta aim to provide all kinds of programs and ways of connecting for moms in the community. momstown.ca is described as a, “Unique blend of early education programming and mama support delivered both online and in-person. “With a momstown program pass, Canadian moms can choose from an extensive range of programs for children ages 0-6 years old. “Each month your local chapter runs 20-plus events - all created by early childhood educators and including developmental areas of art, literacy, music and science,” according to the web site. “All our programming is themed around eight educational program pillars - art, music, literacy, nutrition, science and discovery, fitness and adventure, play and social and prenatal.” Tanya Kitchen Johnson is the owner of momstown Central Alberta, and a busy mother in her own right to four daughters. Ultimately, it’s all about providing fun and educational activities for families, where children can learn new skills and moms can build friendships with other mothers in the community, she said. As Kitchen Johnson pointed out, it’s also particularly helpful for mothers who are new to a given community as well. momstown was first launched in Burlington, Ontario in 2007, and was later started in Alberta in 2009. “You know the saying it takes a village to raise a child? Well, people don’t really know their neighbours anymore,” she explained. “So sometimes these moms are having babies, but they don’t know anyone. Maybe their friends aren’t in the same life stage as them, or they haven’t had kids
yet, or their kids are older. “So that’s how it started – to get these moms out of the house and meeting people,” she said, adding that it helps to ensure new moms aren’t just surviving motherhood, but thriving. Also, sometimes support systems wane a bit when baby number two or three comes along. This can sometimes lead to cases of postpartum depression – a woman may not find the robust support that she did with her firstborn, for example. “Our programs are very sibling-friendly, so it allows them to get out of the house, it allows moms some conversation with other moms while they are doing these amazing programs with their kids – so everyone is winning.” Programs run the gamut from ‘Art & Play’, ‘Tales for Tots’, ‘Baby Basics’ and ‘Alphabet Play’ to ‘Toddler Time’, ‘Junior Chef’, ‘Music & Movement’ and ‘Rhyme, Rhythm & Read.’ According to the web site, momstown’s ‘Active Mamas’ program, “Lets you get fit and stay active at your own pace. “You’ll have a chance to try new fitness classes and programs, get professional nutrition advice, learn about wellness options, and connect with moms in your community.” There is also ‘Mom’s Night Out’ – which features a range of events from supper clubs to craft nights, all based on the interests of a particular momstown chapter. Kitchen Johnson said there are more than 20 events planned each month, which can also bolster a child’s overall socialization. Currently, there are about 250 members who take part in various momstown activities and programs. Check out www.central-alberta.momstown.ca for more information.
LEARN THROUGH PLAY – Crystal-Gayle Hallet enjoys some quality time with son Blake, 8 months, during a weekly momstown meet-up.
editor@reddeerexpress.com
Kalisha Mendonsa/Red Deer Express
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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Emotional Freedom Technique used with weight loss BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express In a society dominated by media images of thin women and buff men, body image can cause immense amounts of stress for some. Recently a six-week program titled ‘Letting Go’ was conducted by Marnel Hesterman of Incite Inspirations, which employed the use of the emotional freedom technique and the process of ‘tapping’ to
address the issue of body weight and self acceptance. “As human beings we put ourselves under stress all day long, every day and for a lot of us if we are carrying extra weight then we are constantly beating ourselves up over it,” explained Hesterman. “So we’re not making proper food choices because we are reacting to the stress we are under.” Hesterman explained by helping participants of the
program diffuse some of that stress and beliefs they have around weight and weight issues, they no longer reach for those foods to calm themselves when they are feeling the stress and instead replace it with self love so they can make better choices. “We use the Emotional Freedom Technique to not only work on the issue of craving but the whole issue of eating and the food we are putting into our bod-
ies,” she explained. “I found many of the participants had been on so many different diets and weight plans and programs and had very mixed results which often ended in them rebounding and gaining back the weight they had lost if any – which left them feeling stressed out and frustrated.” She explains the science behind EFT and tapping as a way of decreasing the stress hormone cortisol
WOMEN
and increasing the happy hormone serotonin. “Tapping can change our thought pattern by creating new neural pathways and creating different perspectives and life choices,” said Hesterman. “We are able to see things from a different perspective when we can relieve the emotion that is around it.” Hesterman stated some of the biggest changes she saw in participants was in their food and drink consumption in which she saw participants making better food choices, as well as being more excited over the movement of their bodies. “We focus on movement as being fun rather than being dreaded exercise,” said Hesterman. “I also found that a lot of the participants talked about how much better they were getting along with family members and their children thanks to different practices they were putting in place from the sessions such as including more family time and having lighter and brighter outlooks on life.” Local business owner and entrepreneur Susan Walker said she experienced a number of ‘Aha’ moments throughout her ‘Letting Go’ sessions stating she has experienced much release from the stresses of life following the program. “Understanding why I ate
at certain times was a huge realization for me to understand why,” said Walker. “It allowed me to get over the asphyxiation with my weight and it’s allowed me to be able to have my photo taken again which was an issue for me and feel better about myself.” Understanding stress and the kind of stress you are under is a big part of the program, explained Walker, who added that while she thought the only stress she was experiencing was coming from her work, however she has since realized that many things including driving and her personal life can also add to her stress level. She has since, under the mentorship of Hesterman and the program, begun a practice of self-love. “Just having to say that you love yourself and say to yourself that you’re going to take the time to show that you love yourself even once a week can make a huge difference,” said Walker. “At the beginning of the sessions I wasn’t able to say that I loved myself but now I can.” Hesterman invites Central Albertans to try the techniques for themselves during next sessions. The next Letting Go programs are April 7-9th. For more, visit www.inciteinspirations.com. jswan@reddeerexpress.com
Today
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MOTHER DAUGHTER MOMENT – Reading to your children is a great way to spend time with them while helping them to develop their cognitive skills. Victoria Thomas reads a book to Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express 15-month-old daughter Olivia.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING
When lullabies just simply won’t work It’s completely normal for babies to cry when they’re hungry, tired, wet or even scared. But some babies cry for no apparent reason. They’re fed, rested, clean and in your arms - and yet they still cry. You’ve tried everything and nothing seems to soothe them. This can be a frustrating thing for parents and caretakers. The good thing, you’re not alone and this is normal. While some babies are just fussy and difficult to soothe, others have what is called colic, meaning they cry longer than three hours a day three days a week for at least three weeks. Here’s some advice for parents with a colicky baby. Colic is common and will someday end. Many babies go through a colicky stage starting when they’re a few weeks old and ending by four or five months. They’ll cry for long periods of time often at the same time each day, usually in the afternoon or evening. The crying may sound high-pitched like they’re distressed, but there’s no clear reason why. Their face may be red from exertion,
Jack
WHEELER with their legs curled up and fists clenched. It’s really hard for parents not to assume the worst when their baby cries for no reason. If your baby seems distressed and has been injured, is ill or you notice any changes in your baby’s normal behaviour, it is important to make an appointment with the pediatrician. It may be helpful to keep record of your baby’s crying spells, sleeping patterns and feeding schedule. The doctor can help rule out possible medical reasons for fussiness, but if none are found, then colic may be what is diagnosed. And sadly, there’s no clear cause for colic. Allergies, food intolerance, reflux, gas, an undeveloped digestive or nervous system, parental anxiety, overstimulation and differences in the methods of soothing and feeding a baby have all been considered as
possible causes. Since the baby can’t tell you what’s wrong, it’s often a guessing game. Why one baby is colicky and another is calm and content is another mystery pediatricians and parents have struggled with since the dawn of time. Though you may never forget these days, the good news is your baby will. A baby with colic will develop just like a normal baby. When a baby cries for long periods, he or she will swallow air that gets trapped as gas and cause more distress. Keep gas-relief medicine on hand for when your baby seems gassy. To prevent reflux and gas, hold your baby upright during feedings and burp your baby often. If the baby is bottle-fed, try changing the kind of bottle or nipple you use. Some allow less air to be swallowed than others. Also, switch to a hypoallergenic formula for a few days to see if the baby’s symptoms decrease. Moms who breastfeed their babies may want to avoid certain foods that could upset a baby’s sensitive stomach. Some of the most common foods that cause discomfort include dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, nuts, and fish. If the baby’s symptoms go away, you can find the cause by slowly adding these foods back into your diet. Typically, if a food upsets your belly it will more often than not upset their belly too.
You can also try new ways of soothing your baby. A simple pacifier can work wonders. Many babies love the comfort of swaddling, rocking, white noise, being walked, quiet music, or a warm bath. Some babies just need a few minutes of alone time after a stimulating day. When nothing else seems to work, lay your baby on his or her back in the crib. Studies show that symptoms of colic may be due to an imbalance of good bacteria in a baby’s intestines. Treatment with probiotics may help. Talk to your pediatrician for a recommendation. Caring for a baby with colic can be exhausting and stressful. It’s important to take care of yourself so you can be the best parent possible. When colic won’t go away, let a friend or your spouse take over so you can get out of the house for a break. Talk to a trusted friend about your feelings and frustrations. Also, remember that you’re not a bad parent because your baby cries or because you have feelings of resentment. Know your limits and seek professional help if you’re at your wit’s end. This, too, shall pass, and in a few short weeks or months your baby will be cooing and smiling and your world will be happy again. Jack Wheeler is a personal trainer and owner of 360 Fitness in Red Deer.
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AFTERNOON WALK – Trevor and Gyongi Powell enjoy a walk at Kerry Wood Nature Jenna Swan/Red Deer Express Centre with children Laina, 9, Dalton, 7 and Elliot, 4.
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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, March 18, 2015
‘Coffee Chat’ a program for those living with aphasia BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Socialization and communication are building blocks to our society, necessary for people to connect with one another. For those living with aphasia, these skills are stolen are the results can be devastating. Luckily, those with aphasia in Central Alberta do not have to suffer alone, thanks to Coffee Chat. Coffee Chat is a program for those who are living with aphasia – an acquired language disorder that typically affects people who have suffered brain damage. “Coffee Chat was developed to be a program for people who have suffered a stroke and who now have aphasia, to be able to participate in an active communication group where they get the confidence, ability, and support to be able to actually converse,” said speech language pathologist and program facilitator Karrie Paige. Aphasia can take several forms, and is most commonly caused by strokes. A person living with this condition would have symptoms ranging from difficulty remembering words to the loss of the ability to speak, read and write. It does not impact intelligence, only language skills. The group is an unstructured socialization program that can be accessed by speaking to local speech pathologists and PCN doctors. It is designed to be a comfortable place for people who may struggle with conversation to work through topics of their interest and to engage with others who also have aphasia. “Before people have a stroke, socialization is an essence of what we do – speaking. We go for coffee, we go for drinks, and we talk. At the end of the night, sometimes we don’t even know what we talked about but we were socializing and engaging with other people. Having aphasia means that that part of being human is stolen from you.
Their voice is stolen in that they often have so much they want to say, but their brain is holding it hostage and they just aren’t able to get the words out,” Paige said. “A lot of our clients who have aphasia become socially isolated and are afraid to talk because often when they try the words don’t come out right, or they find that they can’t participate in the kinds of coffee groups, or beers with the friends or whatever.” Paige’s role as a facilitator and speech pathologist is to help the clients understand and follow conversation, and then in turn provide assistance in participation. Some of the tools she uses to help people communicate are boards with various answers and phrases on them and even iPad programs. “We know that people with strokes need more opportunities to communicate and use their skills. Unfortunately, there aren’t many opportunities in the community. A lot of people don’t even know what aphasia is or how to work with someone who has it,” Paige said. “We’re doing training all the time to teach what’s called supportive conversation for people with aphasia. It teaches people to interact with people affected by aphasia so that the person affected can understand what is being said to them and so that they have a way to respond.” Paige said there are similar programs across the country that aim to educate and rehabilitate those living with aphasia and the people in their lives. The programs are monitored by speech pathologists so that they can help people understand how to interact with a person living with aphasia, and to help those affected to take their turn in conversation. The cost is $2 to $4 per session. For more information, contact 403-342-8678. kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com
‘Living Beyond Loss’ helps families in the wake of suicide BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express For those who have lost a loved one to suicide there is a support group within the City that provides a safe place to grieve and compare experiences. Suicide Information and Education Services hosts the Living Beyond Suicide Loss support group once a week. It is a closed group meaning that those wishing to access the service must contact the organization prior to appearing at a meeting. “This really came about through a need in the community. We get a lot of calls from people asking if there is support for this kind of loss, and so we’ve had the group going for a few years now. It is unfortunately well-attended – I say unfortunately because of the content of the group – but those who attend certainly are appreciative that this group exists,” said Program Facilitator Dawne Adkins. “The support group meets weekly and it is an opportunity for all those who are grieving specifically a suicide loss – as opposed to other kinds of grief – to get together and share in their journeys and support each other and learn from each other and work though the process.” The group is meant for survivors of suicide. Adkins said that the term survivor carries a lot of misconceptions in this context and that what it really
refers to are the people who are left behind after a person commits suicide. The program is run in an open discussion style where attendees can speak to others who are dealing with the same kind of loss. Adkins said that some of the things the group discusses are how to answer questions from friends and family surrounding details of an incident, where to find other supports for grieving and how a person might learn from another person’s experience dealing with their grief. “We have talked about responding to questions such as, ‘How many kids do you have’ after a person has lost a child to suicide and other sensitive questions that survivors face. We are about supporting and giving suggestions on how to respond to such questions and situations,” Adkins said. “We like it to be a very safe place for people where they can share and say things that are on their minds that they may not be able to share elsewhere. They are in a room of people who really get what they’re going through.” Adkins said that the group has a wide variety of age and demographics and that there are many types of relationships represented in the group, such as parents grieving the loss of a child, friends grieving for a friend, grandparents, siblings and more. Part of the focus of the
group is to talk about how survivors can take care of themselves as they work through their journey. The group discusses the many ways that people deal with stress, loss and grief and aims to let everyone feel comfortable dealing in their own way. “Everyone processes things differently and so communication becomes a big issue. For example, if a person is lost in a family, all family members experience that loss and are grieving but grieve in a different way because they would all have a different relationship to that person,” she said. “We communicate to see how one person is feeling, how their experience compares to someone else and then to allow people to realize that all of those varieties of feelings are okay. “We let people know to be kind and gentle, not only to themselves, but to each other.” Anyone wishing to become a part of the group must first contact Suicide Information and Education Services to take part in an intake process before they are admitted to the group. Adkins said that the intake is done to assess where a person is at as they move through their grief, and also to become acquainted with her so that when someone comes in, they have a friendly face in the group. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015, HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING
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HEALTHY FAMILY LIVING, Wednesday, March 18, 2015
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