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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we’ve been celebrating here at PEAC with a variety of classes and events to bring awareness to this cause. We have a few members and staff that have been affected by breast cancer in different ways so we wanted to do something special to commemorate those that have passed and support those who are fighting.  The BCRC helps women affected by breast cancer by answering the tough questions and decision-making that may arise during this time. They also help provide support through mentoring, fitness and wellness activities, transportation to treatment and much more. Their center is located on a peaceful nature preserve minutes from downtown Princeton and is a unique non-clinical environment. They are also dedicated to bringing awareness and understanding of the disease to the community. Here are a few stats about the impact they have had: In 2018 they:
We are honored to be presenting them with a check today, thanks to the generosity of all of our members! We present them with this check in remembrance of a dear member, Kay Hutchison, who sadly passed away from Breast cancer. With your help, during this month we have raised $1425. Thanks again for all of your support! 
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1 Year Anniversary of losing 100 lbs.  It's been one year since our member Jude Martino-Ciafano lost 100 lbs. Yes you read that right, 100 lbs! This was no easy feat- a committed member of PEAC since 1997 Jude has always been an avid member of our gym. It wasn't until she saw a fellow member who had lost significant weight that she was pointed in the right direction which would help her lose this weight. With the help of Dr. Chung at Capital Health and the employees at PEAC she learned a lot about her body, developed a strict diet with her doctor and stuck to it. On Sept 22 2018 she hit her goal of losing 100 lbs and for the last year she has maintained this incredible achievement. We caught up with Jude to congratulate her on this incredible achievement and to see how her journey has been in the last year as she has kept this weight off. How are you feeling 1 year after this incredible achievement? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? About the same as I did last year! I really want to help others that are struggling to lose weight and it's why I want to put my story out there and celebrate this one year anniversary. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to lose weight? First, I would say to talk to your doctor about it. I also highly recommend Dr. Chung at Capital Health and her metabolic weight loss program.  Are you still following the same techniques/diet plan? Has anything changed in the last year or have you learned anything new to help you continue on this journey? Yes, I'm following the same diet plan. One important thing I learned in the last year is that I know which foods are my triggers that I stay away from and I know what foods not to eat. Some of these things are chocolate and blue corn tortilla chips because once I start eating them, I can't stop so I just can't trust myself to eat them. I notice that when I begin to eat these things or if I'm around buffet style or family style meals, it brings me back to some of my old habits of not being able to stop so I just simply stay away from them. Believe it or not I eat pretty much the same thing every day to be in my safety zone so I could make it through the first year. I remind myself "Is the food in control or am I in control?" I learned through the program that you had to have 4 oz of protein and 4-5 vegetables. That has worked for me but I was able to find out for my body and my metabolism which foods I should stay away from which are white potatoes, sweet potatoes, red beans, black beans- a lot of starchy things- my body cannot metabolize these things. I also can't eat wheat, gluten, grains- they make my body retain water. I found all of this out through my own trial and error. One of the most important things I learned in particular is the importance of water! You can't lose weight without drinking enough water because the water breaks down the protein that your'e taking in. A lot of people think you only need 64 oz of water a day but the true rule is half of your weight in water. So if you weigh 200 lbs, you need to take in 100 oz of water a day. And when you're taking in all of that water, you need to take in electrolytes too because that water is flushing everything out of you and it's flushing your electrolytes out of you too. So you really need something like a propel or a vitamin water zero to replenish those electrolytes, especially if you're working out. I also learned the proper amount of calories I needed to be just at rest, and the maximum amount of calories I can take in while I'm exercising so that I don't gain. I learned a lot of this through a nutritionist in the program. What do you think made you break some of your old habits and begin this journey? When I met the member here at PEAC who has lost a significant amount of weight, she pointed me in the right direction of who I should speak to about this and I thought "If she can do it, I can do it." When I made my first appointment with Dr. Chung, it actually fell on the anniversary of my mom's death and I figured that this was a sign from above that I was doing the right thing. My mother actually died of obesity at the age of 36 weighing 350 lbs. I also really wanted to set a good example for my daughter. How has PEAC helped with this journey? PEAC has been amazing. Doug has always been very complimentary and supportive. Kara was my biggest cheerleader, she would always tell me how amazing I looked and congratulate me. I've taken Megan and Tamika's class the most and Megan really helped me be accountable. If I didn't make it into class for a few days she would text me and check in with me. All of them have helped keep me accountable because they know when I'm here and they know when I'm missing. I'm holding myself accountable as well by sharing this story so openly with everyone here at the gym and making myself visible so that I'm not saying "look at how successful I was" and then I go back to some of my old ways and let everyone see me get heavy again. It really takes a village.  What is currently your favorite class at PEAC?
Barre by far. My second favorite would be Pump and Jump. What do you think sets PEAC apart from other gyms? The employees, the cleanliness and the classes here. Anything else you'd like to share about this journey? A year ago I couldn't do a plank or a hamstring stretch which are big accomplishments for me because not only did I lose the weight but I'm getting stronger. Another important thing I'd like to share is that Corona Premier is only 90 calories and 2 carbs and is my adult beverage of choice :)  Keri Mandell My name is Keri Mandell and I am participating in one of the worlds most difficult endurance events, The World Marathon Challenge. The World Marathon Challenge is a race that consists of 7 marathons in 7 days, on 7 continents. Yes, that’s 7 marathons in one week, all around the world!! The race will begin on February 6, 2020 starting in Antarctica and end on February 12th in Miami. I have chosen to compete in this race as a way to challenge myself both physically and mentally, but more importantly to raise awareness and funds to help fight cancer. I will run this race to honor my dad, Arthur Roedel who died an untimely death because of Multiple Myeloma. I have pledged to raise $150,000 for this great cause. Running to help fight cancer is something that I am driven to do, passionate about, and being able to have the privilege to complete in one of the most challenging races on the planet is certainly an awesome bonus! I hope that through my actions and the sacrifices needed to compete, inspires others to join the fight. I could not be more excited to have joined with ACS on their mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. To help raise money for this cause, I will be instructing a Spin class at PEAC Health & Fitness: Join Keri Mendell & PEAC Health & Fitness
Sunday, October 27, 11am - 12:15pm • $27
60min. spin class & 15min. yoga stretch with refreshments to follow. ALL Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society 
I am excited about hosting this event, and hope you will join me! Thanks to PEAC Health & Fitness for donating the SPIN room and to everyone who joins me in this fight. I appreciate your support!  Keri with fellow teammate who will be running the WMC with her. |
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