Because Nothing Should Weigh a Child Down

health

Live Light Live Right Kids Bike Ride Club

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October

It’s hard to believe that summer is finally here. We are starting the 2015 Kids Ride Club and are looking for kids to join us.

In 2014 we started our Kids Ride Club with our partners Bike NY and it was a huge success. Our process is to teach children and their families to ride safely, have fun and get great exercise. The rides are mapped out in a way the the children are able to explore our great city and have new adventures.

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact us at 718-240-8125.

“Knocking Out Obesity”

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Youth from the Live Light Live Right program participated in a Knockout Obesity demonstration at Brownsville Recreation Center. Now, the two non-profits have set in motion a year-long health initiative to start March 3, 2015.
Youth from the Live Light Live Right program participated in a Knockout Obesity demonstration at Brownsville Recreation Center. Now, the two non-profits have set in motion a year-long health initiative to start March 3, 2015.

On February 24th, 2015 we will start our new spring 2015 boxing program with Knockout Obesity. It will be held at our partner location, CAMBA Beacon166. We are excited for this new venture. The program will be twice a week for one-hour. The model is 50 minutes of exercise and 10 minutes of nutrition counseling.

The “KO Program” was established in 2013 by Dimitri Verteouris, Founder and Executive Director, and is dedicated to helping children develop physical fitness and nutrition habits that will promote healthy lifestyles and prevent obesity. The synergy between are programs makes for a wonderful partnership. We look forward to “knocking out” obesity with them.

If you are interested in learning more about our program please contact us at 718-240-8125.

What is Insulin resistance and how does it contribute to obesity?

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Sarita Dhuper, MD, FACC, Founder and Executive Director, Live Light Live Right

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas by a group of cells called Beta cells. When we eat carbohydrates—sugars and starches found in many foods they finally convert into glucose that enters the bloodstream. With the help of insulin, cells throughout the body absorb glucose and use it for energy. Insulin helps muscle, fat, and liver cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream, lowering blood glucose levels and when there is excess it stores it in the form of glycogen in the liver.

Continue reading →

Rushell Walker, A Story of Transformation

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rushell walker

Rushell’s journey with Live Light Live Right began in 2011. She was not happy with herself and wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. She was on a roller coaster ride with her weight and was very frustrated. In 2014, Rushell made the decision to get bariatric surgery. She witnessed the success of her mother’s surgery and wanted the same for herself. Rushell, like every normal teenager wanted to wear cute clothes, go on rides and do what all teenagers do. Rushell also struggled with how she viewed herself, concerns about her health and how the weight was impacting her health, she was determined to get healthy.

Continue reading →

Live Light Live Right Guest Blogger: YOGASMOGA

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Yoga Apparel Brand Shows Real Beauty

The benefits of yoga range from healing aches and pains in the body, to fortifying the immune system. It comes with little surprise that people of all ages; taking up a yoga practice has positively impacted backgrounds, shapes and sizes. While many are mindful of the reasons that bring them to the studio, not much thought goes into the messaging behind the clothes these yogis sport in class.

As the yoga movement gains popularity in Western markets, many brands are jumping on the opportunity to appeal to this growing group. A majority of these labels utilize nearly identical, thin and flawless models to advertise their exercise ensembles. This creates quite a paradox for the modern yogi: while photo retouching promotes a standardized image of “the beautiful yoga body,” this rigidity does not reflect the diversity and variety within each practitioner’s yoga journey.

Continue reading →

Ask The Experts: What do you know about weight bias?

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Dr. Barry Panzer, Ph.D, ACSW, BCD
Mental Health Consultant, Live Light Live Right

Overweight and obesity in childhood can be the first step in the development of diabetes, heart disease and other serious adult health problems. However, weight bias – the emotional and sometimes physical mistreatment due to excess weight – can begin early and last a lifetime. Teasing, name calling, exclusion form athletic and social activities by peers and physical bullying have been regarded as the main cause of psychological and social problems in children with obesity. Continue reading →

Live Light Live Right Summer Camp 2014

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Live Light Live Right is proud to be adding to our partnership with the CAMBA (www.camba.org) Beacon Program a 7-week summer camp program. We have 150 campers that are enrolled in the summer camp.

The summer camp program consists of:

  • Nutritional Counseling: Our certified nutritionist has created educational and engaging workshops that will teach the children about basic nutrition, reading labels, alternatives to high fat foods, portion control, and reduction in juice and increase in water consumption, and healthy snack options that will keep the child full and satisfied in between meals.
  • Physical Fitness and Activity: Two days a week, our two senior trainers share their infectious energy with the summer camp participants. The classes are primarily fitness games focused on creating a fun filled atmosphere for the children. Our trainer’s motivate and encourage the children to continue participating in activities throughout the rest of the week, by giving examples of exercises that they would enjoy.
  • Trips: We have planned and funded weekly trips that the summer camp participants will be going on. Some of the trips that are included are Gleason’s Gym, The Toy Museum, NYC parks, and local farming with East New York Farms to educate the children about food production, local sourcing for food and cooking locally sourced vegetables.

The children are having an amazing time this summer in the program.

Holland Chastity Blair

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Chastity Blair

Chastity is a 15 year old female who has been in our LLLR program since July 2010. Her BMI was significantly elevated at 44.44 in July 2010 and this lead to her developing a kidney dysfunction. The doctors at LLLR explained to her the need to change her lifestyle and become physically active if she did not want to go on dialysis. She had a kidney biopsy in November, 2010 when she was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Stage I. Chastity and her mother decided to take this advice seriously. She has been following the medical and dietary advice such as, cutting down her juice intake, increasing fiber intake and increasing her intake of vegetables and fruits. She has also increased her physical activity which helps her in being an active member of girl scouts.

Continue reading →

Summer Picnics and Barbeques

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Summer is filled with fun events. Everything from graduation parties, to Fourth of July picnics, to good old-fashioned backyard barbeques – it’s likely that you already have several events you’ll be celebrating the summer season. With a little preplanning, these social gatherings can offer not only great company and fun, but a menu that is nutritious and delicious.

To help you stay on track with healthy eating while still enjoying the celebration, take a look at some of the best foods choices, and those you should be wary of.

Keep Portions in Perspective

Portion size counts, even if you are selecting healthy choices. While the goal is to fill your plate with the best food choices available at any barbeque, you don’t want to sabotage your health efforts by eating too much.

Continue reading →

Niché Bryant, A Report from his trainer Ebony Harris

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Once a shy and quiet young man Niche Bryant quickly became the leading fitness participant at the Camba Beacon Live Light Live Right Program. Niche started the program January 2014 and struggled heavily with the exercise. As time passed, I watched Niche quickly progress. He went from being a participator to a motivator in the blink of an eye. He was so motivating that even the adults found it hard to keep up with him, but they try their best. You can see in his exercise sessions he loves and excels in them.  His favorite workout is the obstacle course which consists of moving quickly through a variety of exercises, i.e. sprinting, jumping jacks, push ups, squats, burpees, etc. When he is not at our program Niche is an avid reader and writer. He strives at keeping his mind, as well as his body fit. He takes all that he has learned from our LLLR workouts and implements them into his school gym classes. In addition to doing that he has brought those workouts home to his family.  His family is one of the strongest support systems I’ve seen. Just as Niche is dedicated to his health and wellness, the Bryant family shows the same dedication to helping him reach his goals by participating as a family.  They keep close contact with his trainers and makes sure he attends his appointments for regular check ups. With his mindset, determination and commitment to his health and wellness, Niche Bryant is quickly becoming an unstoppable force in the Live Light Live Right program. He continues to show us that with a little faith, courage and support, there is nothing he can’t do!!!

–Ebony Harris Youth/Adult Fitness Coach

Live Light Live Right Celebrate Weight Loss Success at their Annual Holiday Party

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Press Release

Brooklyn, NY(January 17th, 2014)-Live Light Live Right (LLLR), an adolescent obesity program, funded by Robinhood Foundation www.robinhood.org, held their annual holiday party Friday January 17th at Brookdale Hospital Center www.brookdalehospital.org. Nearly 200 hundred children and their families attended to celebrate the achievements and successes of those who have joined LLLR on this journey to promote health and fitness that have transformed their lives. The event celebrated the success of the children who have lost weight and remained committed to the program.  Additionally, children who had the highest show rate at their exercise classes were rewarded. The children and their families enjoyed an evening of food, games, fitness and dance competition.  Healthy food was prepared by the chefs at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, which included nutty chick pea quinoa salad, grilled barbeque chicken and a low fat lasagna to name a few of the menu items. Robinhood Foundation, graciously donated the gifts that were given out to our children.  “We are commited to providing them with all the tools necessary to keep them on track on their journey to a healthy.”,  stated Sarita Dhuper, Executive Director.

About Live Light Live Right

Live Light, Live Right is a Brookdale Hospital and community-based partnership, non-profit 501 ( c) (3), serving overweight and obese children ages 2-19.    Nearly half of the children in the program are those who live below the poverty line; suffer from a BMI >95th percentile or are at high risk of developing diabetes or other serious chronic diseases.  By providing free or highly subsidized services, Live Light has already helped over 2,500 children improve their diet, exercise habits, and their health.  The novel, multi-disciplinary approach has resulted in positive health outcomes, including the reduction of Body Mass Index scores, cholesterol, blood pressure, and insulin levels for nearly three-quarters of all participants.

About Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center

The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center is one of the largest voluntary nonprofit teaching hospitals and regional tertiary care centers. Brookdale provides general and specialized inpatient care to thousands of people every year. Our community centered organization provides numerous outpatient ambulatory care services in both on campus and off site facilities. Our mission is the commitment of being the focus of a healthy community, stressing the organization’s values of caring and respect for everyone.

Press Contact:

Alisha Rappaport
Director of Marketing and Development
Alisha@livelight.org
516-984-6865

Website: www.livelight.org
Twitter: @livelightright
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/live-light-live-right
Facebook: www.facebook.com/livelightright

Feeding Your Newborn: Tips for New Parents

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If you are overweight, gained excess weight during pregnancy, had gestational or pre-gestational diabetes, read this. If your baby weighed more than 9lbs or less than 5lbs at birth, read this. These are all risk factors that increase your baby’s risk of developing obesity, diabetes and cardiac risk factors earlier in life.  But you can improve your child’s health now, when he’s newborn.

Here are 8 easy steps to help your baby have a healthier life: Continue reading →