Read more about Stroller Strides instructor Carolyn Kaufmann, a semi-finalist in our 2012 Health Hero Challenge!
>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!
Name: Carolyn Kaufmann
Occupation: Owner and instructor, Stroller Strides Philadelphia
Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
There are a variety of factors that motivate me daily to be healthy. The determination I have to my family to be strong and active gets me moving every day. The responsibility I have taken on to lead and inspire the women who come to my class each day is a part of it, too. Seeing moms who could only walk a few yards in the beginning and are now running continually inspires me. Or watching them do bigger and better reps and sets, and actually seeing them get physically stronger. I also have the support of an awesome franchise, Stroller Strides, that provides me with the knowledge of what exercise can do physically and mentally for postpartum women.
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Read more about Team in Training's Stephen Brown, a semi-finalist in our 2012 Health Hero Challenge!
>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!
Name: Stephen Brown
Occupation: Team in Training coach with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, triathlete, author
Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
There are obvious reasons like living a longer, healthier, and happier life. But for me there is a whole additional level of motivation. I am connected with many networks and communities and feel very strongly that I have the ability to use my lifestyle as a means to motivate others to do great things. I like to lead by example and prove to people just what can be done if they believe in something and commit to it. I also want to be healthy for my own family. Years from now, I want my extended family and their friends to watch me race, and have one of the little ones ask, “No way! He is your grandfather??” (Or who knows, maybe even great grandfather.)
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Our editors wanted to find the tastiest green juice in Philly, so they did a blind taste-test—and got their yearly intake of kale in the process.
 Jar Bar’s Clean (Green is the Way)
The good stuff: Kale, cucumber, celery, romaine, spinach.
Price: $5.50.
Prep time: Made fresh to order.
Where to get it: 113 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, 215-923-1600; jarbar.com.
Editors say: Way too watery and zero flavor, except maybe grossness—and a little celery.
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Read more about First Tee of Philadelphia's Jeff Middleton, a semi-finalist in our 2012 Health Hero Challenge!
 >> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!
Name: Jeff Middleton
Occupation: FDR Golf Course program director, First Tee of Philadelphia, a golf program for kids.
Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
I am motivated to share the advantages that good health plays in our lives, both young and old, so that the facts are presented to make intelligent choices.
Describe a health or fitness related turning point in your life.
Realizing how much stress and excess weight affects stamina, aging, coping skills and general mental health.
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A day of health just for women
 Attention, ladies! Dr. Oz is officially coming to town, and you know what that means. You’re going to learn how to stay youthful and live healthfully, Oz style.
The ever-popular surgeon/author/daytime TV host will be attending Virtua’s Eighth Annual Women’s Health Symposium on Saturday, September 15th, where he’ll talk about tools women can use to improve overall health and wellness while still having fun. Who doesn’t want that?
Even better, Lisa Oz, the doc’s wife, will also be in attendance. As a best-selling author and radio/TV personality herself, Lisa will jump start the day with her presentation, to be followed in the afternoon by her all-knowing hubby. And if the Ozes aren’t enough, the event also includes breakfast and lunch, informative speaker sessions, demos, giveaways and prizes, health screenings and more. So if you want to learn how to buff up your physical and mental strength, you’ll want in on this day dedicated to health. Click here to sign up.
$60, September 15 at 7:30 a.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, Center City.
>> Have a health or fitness event you’d like to share with Be Well Philly readers? Email eleaman@phillymag.com with details.
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Read more about fitness instructor Sally Andersen, a semi-finalist in our 2012 Health Hero Challenge!
>> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!
Name: Sally Andersen
Occupation: Fitness instructor, Kendrick Recreation Center, and personal trainer.
Who or what motivates you to be healthy, and what was a turning point in your life?
Growing up, I was the kid that had every desire to be an athlete but no natural skill at one sport. I was the first to come to practice and the last to leave, but still I was never going to be an elite athlete. I had a competitive drive, heart and dedication, but thought that scoring for the team, winning the race or being the best was all that mattered.
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Research shows that future payoffs don't help motivate people to exercise. We need to sell the immediate rewards.
 • Maybe this is why lots of people hate exercising: We’ve been selling it wrong for all these years. The New York Times has an interesting piece this week on the marketing—or, rather, mis-marketing—of health and exercise, with one researcher arguing that you have to highlight immediate rewards (better quality of life now) instead of future payoffs (improved health, trimmer body down the road). I like this quote by researcher Michelle L. Segar: “Physical activity is an elixir of life, but we’re not teaching people that. We’re telling them it’s a pill to take or a punishment for bad numbers on the scale. Sustaining physical activity is a motivational and emotional issue, not a medical one.” What do you think? Is the key to getting your husband or girlfriend or mom or dad to exercise simply to sell it better? Or is there more to it than semantics?
• Diet tip: Don’t eat dinner at a dance club. Or Chuck E. Cheese’s, for that matter. New research shows that softer music and lighting may help you eat less.
• Load up on chocolate, guys. A new study found that chocolate may help lower stroke risk in men.
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Read more about breast surgeon Beth DuPree, a semi-finalist in our 2012 Health Hero Challenge!
 >> Vote in the Health Hero Challenge here!
Name: Beth DuPree
Occupation: Breast surgeon and medical director, Holy Redeemer Breast Health Program
Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
Seventy-five percent of all breast cancers occur in women who do not have a family history of breast cancer. Therefore, these cancers are potentially preventable by adopting a healthy lifestyle. I cannot ask my patients to make positive lifestyle choices if I am unwilling to adopt them myself. Creating balance between my body, mind and spirit is essential. Being physically, emotionally and spiritually “buff” has become a way of life.
My motivation to be the healthiest I can be comes from within, but it is my breast cancer patients that are my constant source of inspiration. I consider myself to be a constant work in progress.
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It's every yogi's worst nightmare. We talk to the pros for tips on how to make sure you don't moon the entire class doing downward-facing dog.
 Yogis in DC's Dupont Circle yesterday This blog post is dedicated to my husband, Chris.
Hold on—let me explain. Chris, a photographer, is in DC this week on assignment. He’s spent the past few days wandering around the city snapping hundreds and hundreds of photos and observing thousands of Washingtonians going about their day-to-day life. Yesterday afternoon, I received this very un-Chris-like text:
Please do a blog post noting that outdoor yoga + sunshine makes all yoga pants 100% see-through.
My reply:
Hahahahaha.
His response:
I’m staring at an entire Dupont Circle’s worth of butts right now.
(Photographic evidence above.)
“Oh man. I’m doing it,” I texted back. And so, here we are.
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Challenge your whole body with this October race.
 Put your fitness to the test at Unite Fitness Decathlon on Saturday, October 6th, in Wissahickon Park. Before running a muddy trail 10K through the park, participants will complete a full-on, 10-event fitness challenge, including burpees, rope pulls, hill climbs and more. The combo of events is sure to create one heck of a competition. Unite Fitness has kindly provided a killer training manual on their website so you can get crackin’ on those reps now to prepare for the big day.
A post-race party, including food, drinks and awards, will be held at the Fusion Cross-training studio in Midtown Village. It’s scheduled to coincide with the Midtown Village Fall Festival, a street party along 13th and Sansom streets catered by some top-notch Philly restaurants. More information about race day is here.
$119 by Sept 2nd, $139 by Sept 30th; race day is Saturday, October 6, Blue Bell Picnic Area, Wissahickon Creek Park, 850 West Walnut Lane, Philadelphia.
>> Have a health or fitness event you’d like to share with Be Well Philly readers? Email eleaman@phillymag.com with details.
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