Yo, Momma . . . August 2003

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
George Moore

My eldest daughter, Emma, traveled the world this summer.  She spent 3 weeks in Australia as a Student Ambassador, then 2 weeks in Los Angeles and another 2 weeks in Louisiana.  She surfed in the Pacific, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, and painted scenery in a community theatre.  She held a koala, ate Vegemite, and watched the sun rise from a hot air balloon over the Australian Outback.  And, when she returned home earlier this week, she found two parents waiting to hug her and dote on her and provide for her all the important things life has to offer.  I think she learned what she truly needs!


**IN THIS ISSUE**
~New on FitFor2.com
~August Special
~Fit For 2 Instructor Training
~Book of the Month
~Featured Site
~New Information
~Tip of the Month

**NEW ON FITFOR2.COM  We have some great new links at www.fitfor2.com/links.shtml. We've also made shopping much easier for you by placing a search box for Amazon.com on several of our web pages.  Happy shopping!  You can also see photos from our awesome Tenth Anniversary Celebration at www.fitfor2.com/anniversary.shtml.

For those of you in the Atlanta area, look for new locations of Fit For 2 classes starting soon -- keep checking our website for updates!

**AUGUST SPECIAL!  Order the Fit For 2 DVD or video AND walking CD during August and receive a 10% discount on both!  Just enter coupon code "takeahike" in the Special Instructions area of our online order form.

**FIT FOR 2 INSTRUCTOR TRAINING  Fit For 2 is looking for instructors!  If you're interested in bringing Fit For 2 to your health club or hospital, please call us at 770-509-8078 or email me at lisa@fitfor2.com.  Information on our next training, September 12-13, is now online at www.fitfor2.com/instructor.shtml

**BOOK OF THE MONTH  Dr. William Sears is the Pediatrician Extraordinaire!  His ultimate parenting bible, The Baby Book, is our August Book of the Month.  Check it out at www.fitfor2.com/bookmonth.shtml

**FEATURED SITE  If you're pregnant and suffering from back pain or discomfort, click on www.bellysling.com to find a wonderful support garment to ease your pain.  Be sure to tell them Lisa sent you!

**NEW INFORMATION
SUN-BLOCKING BABIES LEADS TO NEED FOR VITAMIN D

The lack of sunshine exposure in many babies and small children has led to
an upsurge in vitamin D deficiency and rickets.

"Since we don't want infants and children unprotected in the sun, we are now
recommending vitamin D drops for all babies," said Dr. Steven Abrams, a
professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "In
addition, there is increasing recognition that maintaining adequate vitamin
D intake is important for all ages, from infants to the elderly."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently revised its guidelines to
recommend that all infants from 2 months of age, children and adolescents
receive 200 IU of vitamin D per day. The previous recommendation was
supplementation for exclusively breastfed infants at risk for developing
rickets, a soft-bone disease.

Infant formulas and cow's milk are fortified with vitamin D at the levels
needed by infants and toddlers. However, breast milk does not contain enough
vitamin D for some babies, especially those with dark skin who have limited
sunshine exposure.

Once called the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is a hormone required for
proper calcium absorption and bone mineralization.

"The body can make all the vitamin D it needs when the skin is exposed to
sunlight," said Abrams, also a researcher at the Children's Nutrition
Research Center at Baylor. "However, the dangers of skin cancer have caused
us to recommend that everyone, including young infants, be protected with a
sunblock when exposed to sunlight. That sunblock also prevents the
production of vitamin D."

Vitamin D is not easily obtained through diet. Certain types of fish are
good sources, and some soy beverages, fruit juices, and ready-to-eat cereals
are fortified with the vitamin. Checking food labels is the best way to see
if vitamin D has been added.

While the emphasis on vitamin D's benefits has focused on its role in
calcium absorption and strengthening bones in children, Abrams said more
evidence is pointing to the health benefits of the vitamin throughout life.

"It may have a role in preventing some diseases, like cancer," he said. "And
adults who take calcium without taking vitamin D may not be getting the most
benefit from the calcium."

**TIP OF THE MONTH  The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recommends the women contemplating motherhood may want to visit their periodontist or dental profession for an evaluation before becoming pregnant.  Studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm low birthweight babies.  Women with periodontal disease may be 7 times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.  Beginning in the 2nd or 3rd month of pregnancy, expectant mothers often experience increased gingivitis that can increase in severity throughout the 8th month and can lead to more serious infections.  However, women who treat their gums prior to pregnancy decrease their risk of developing this pregnancy gingivitis.  For more information, go to <http://www.perio.com/>www.perio.com or call 800-FLOSS-EM.  (Information courtesy of the Bulletin of Dental Education June 2003)

If you have a pregnancy, parenting, or fitness tip you'd like to share, please email it to us at lisa@fitfor2.com.  We'll publish it in an upcoming issue of "Yo, Momma . . ."


Thanks for visiting us at Fit For 2.  If you have comments or suggestions, we want to know!  Contact us at webmaster@fitfor2.com or call 770-509-8078.  Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you know who is pregnant or has just had a baby.

Lisa :)