Jennifer Stokes, Public Health Liaison

1. HEALTHY HINTS Jennifer Stokes, Public Health Liaison Summer Quarter 2007 Interviewer: Jennifer Stokes, Public Health Liaison for the South Central Health District, has been chosen to be spotlighted this quarter because of her positive example of a healthy lifestyle. Jennifer, when did you decide you were going to make healthy changes to your lifestyle? Jennifer: My fiance and I were planning to get married and have a family. I did not think I was at a healthy weight to start having a family. Interviewer: What did you do? Jennifer: I went on Weight Watchers and started exercising regularly. I walked 2 miles Monday through Thursday, lifted weights, and did crunches at home. Over several months, I increased my walking to 3 and 4 miles. Interviewer: How did Weight Watchers help you change your eating habits? Jennifer: They helped me learn portion control. Interviewer: How do you feel physically now compared to before you made these healthy changes? Jennifer: I feel much better. I use to have a problem with acid reflux, but now it’s completely gone. I think it’s because of the weight I have lost. Interviewer: How much weight have you lost? Jennifer: Approximately 60 pounds Interviewer: Do you have any encouraging words for people trying to lose weight and make lifestyle changes to improve their health? Jennifer: You’ve really got to be committed. It’s a total lifestyle change. You’ve got to get it in your mind that you’re going to do it. It’s important to make mini goals. Recipe Corner Pineapple Pops 2 cups plain yogurt ½ cup canned crushed pineapple (packed in its own juice instead of packed in syrup) 1 can frozen pineapple or orange-pineapple juice concentrate, thawed Drain the can of crushed pineapple so all the juice runs out. Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together. Spoon the mixture into small paper cups. Fill them almost to the top. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup. Using a Popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup. Put the cups in the freezer until the mixture is frozen solid. Remove the plastic wrap and peel away the paper cup. You’ll have pineapple pops to eat and share. Health Tip Brushing your teeth after you eat may help you get rid of cravings, therefore, helping you control those sweet indulgences.