Fore Court December 2018

December 2018

www.forecourtri.com

44 Cray Street, Cumberland, RI 02864

401-333-4480

We’re Here to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

The PHIT Act, which would reimburse people for physical activity expenses, is also based on accountability. It’s not just a matter of getting money back; it’s investing in a person’s well-being. In addition to promoting overall health, the act would address the growing concern that kids are not as active as they used to be. When our kids were little, Linda and I were lucky in that we didn’t have to force them to go play outside or ride their bikes. That’s just what they chose to do. Our kids played sports, and of course, they all learned how to play tennis — an activity they’ve returned to as adults. Parents have a bigger challenge these days. They’re competing with screens and headsets. This means we all have to be part of providing more opportunities for kids to stay active. You can read more about the pending PHIT Act on the inside of this newsletter. We’re here to make maintaining your health easier so that you can reach your fitness goals with a group that supports and encourages you. Thanks for being part of our community. We’ll be here through the holiday season, so when you need a break from the festivities, come join us for a class.

At Fore Court, we make it a point to talk to our members and encourage people to use our facility. If we don’t see you for a while, we reach out with an email or phone call just to say, “Hey, we’ve missed seeing you at Body Pump. How are you doing?” Sometimes, we find out the reason we haven’t seen a member is because of an injury. Then we let them know how our trainers can help them with rehab, working in tandem with their physical therapy and using cardiovascular programs to help ease them back into their regular exercise routines.

I recently read an article about the PHIT Act, and it really got me thinking about our role as an athletic facility. Being a member of Fore Court means you get to work out in a facility with trained fitness professionals and be part of a community of people who’ve also made a commitment to their health. Our members care about fitness, and we’re here to help them reach their goals and stick to their personal commitments. The success of a New Year’s resolution depends on that accountability component. If your resolution is to lose weight, you can give your money to anyone who promises to help you do that — a weight loss clinic, spa, or personal trainer. But if you don’t get involved and make the decision to participate and strive for what you want, you’ll gain nothing. A friend of mine recently told me that he joined a $10-a-month club in 2016. It’s a national club about half a mile from his house, and he was excited to see what they had to offer. Well, it’s been over two years, and he has never been to the club. Not once . What I find even more interesting is that no one from the club has ever reached out to him. Not once .

Accountability is something we keep in mind when someone comes to our club. We see it as part of our role as a fitness facility to promote an encouraging environment. We’re not just a gym; we’re a community. You just can’t be successful alone.

Happy Holidays,

-Dave Morin

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Surviving the Season of Sweets How to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar

for added sugars. You can even make your own dried fruit with a food dehydrator. This way, you are completely in control of the ingredients. No matter what you do, just be mindful not to overindulge. Dried fruit is high in sugar and calories, but the fiber and vitamins make fruit much healthier than just about any other sugary treat. Another way to cut down on your sugar intake is to use dark chocolate in all your chocolate-based treats. Dark chocolate has about half as much sugar as milk chocolate, twice as much healthy fat, less cholesterol, 4–5 times more iron, twice as much potassium, fewer carbs, and more flavonoids and theobromine. The antioxidant properties of the theobromine and flavonoids make dark chocolate as good for your heart as it is for your soul. If you have a recipe that calls for chocolate, reach for the dark stuff, whether it’s dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or baking chocolate. While it may seem as though everyone and their grandma is overindulging in sugar this season, know that you have the choice to opt for healthier sweets. And come New Year’s, you won’t have to spend the first few months of 2019 working off that extra cookie weight.

Cookies, cakes, and pies, oh my! The holiday season is brimming with sweet treats of all kinds. Sometimes it can feel like candy and sugary desserts are around every corner, and yet you still want to indulge. However, when you consider that over 50 percent of Americans are insulin-resistant, prediabetic, or diabetic, that piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream starts to look more dangerous than appetizing. During the holidays, how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about consuming excessive sugar and calories? Skip the candy and go for the fruits and nuts. Keeping a bowl of fruit and nuts nearby can help keep sugar cravings at bay. Dried fruits, such as cranberries, pineapple, or apricots, are both sweet and nutritious. Just be sure to check the packaging

DECEMBER CLUB HAPPENINGS

CHRISTMAS BREAK SPECIAL: If you have a college student home for Christmas break, you can sign them up for a week-to-week membership and only pay for the weeks they are here. REFERRAL PROGRAM: Don’t forget that for every person you refer to Fore Court as a new member, you get $5 off your monthly dues as long as they are a member. If you refer five new members, you’ll get your membership free. See our front desk for details. SNOW CANCELLATIONS: If we are closing for a day or opening late, we will post on Facebook as soon as we make the decision. Please like us on Facebook for notices.

MS. JEANNETTE: It is with sadness that Ms. Jeannette from the nursery will no longer be watching the young children at Fore Court. Since 1994, Jeannette Tougas has been minding the nursery. She watched my children, Tyler and Lindsey, from the time they were born until they started school. She has some medical issues and needs to concentrate on herself right now. Please keep her in your prayers at this time. PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT, DEC. 31: We will be hosting a round-robin tournament. Sign up as a team for men’s, women’s, or co-ed. Reach out to Sandy at [email protected] 8-WEEK FITNESS PROGRAM: Let our instructors help you get your 2019 fitness goals jump-started. See Kara or Adam in the Fitness Center to sign up.

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The PHIT Act Takes a Step in the Right Direction Getting Proactive About the Inactivity Epidemic

While the PHIT initiative isn’t new — the original bill was introduced over a decade ago — the bill has finally picked up momentum and recently passed in the House. If it gets passed in the Senate and approved by the president, it will become law. The World Health Organization reports that every $1 invested in physical activity in the U.S. would save $3.20 in medical costs, and supporters of the PHIT Act see the bill as a way to make it easier for Americans to access fitness-related resources by allowing them to treat physical inactivity as a health issue. Jim Worthington, Newton Athletic Club owner and International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association chair, said, “[The] PHIT act has always made sense. The reality is that to control costs, you have to be proactive and not reactive, and the way our health care system is set up, we’re treating illness instead of preventing it. PHIT prevents illness. That’s our life’s work. That’s why we’re in the industry — to make people’s lives better.” Find more information about PHIT America and the PHIT Act at phitamerica.org. Then get proactive and call your senator to let them know you want the PHIT Act to pass.

The rise of technology has introduced advancements in many areas of life, but one crucial part of healthy living has taken a severe hit: physical activity. Since kids started using smartphones, playing outside

has become less appealing than watching a popular YouTube channel or playing Candy Crush. According to research from Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) America, only 7 percent of kids in the U.S. meet the standards for activity set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This inactivity pandemic is exactly the problem the PHIT Act aims to address. The PHIT Act is a health-related tax incentive that would allow taxpayers to take money from their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) to spend on health club memberships, fitness equipment, exercise videos, and youth sports leagues. As it currently stands, funds from these accounts can only be used for medical expenses, like doctor visits and medications. If the PHIT Act goes into effect, individual taxpayers will be able to take up to $1,000 a year from these accounts to pay for fitness-related expenses; families will be able to spend up to $2,000 a year. Have a Laugh!

Paleo Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

Inspired by paleohacks.com

• 1 can (14 ounces) coconut cream, chilled • 3 tablespoons coconut sugar

• 2 cups almond or coconut milk • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring almond or coconut milk to a boil. 2. Once boiling, remove from heat and gradually stir in cocoa and vanilla until well-combined. 3. To make whipped cream, remove coconut cream from refrigerator and pour into a large bowl; whisk with an electric mixer. Add coconut sugar and mix well. 4. Pour hot chocolate into a mug, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.

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44 Cray Street Cumberland, RI 02864 Call us! 401-333-4480 www.forecourtri.com

INSIDE

This Issue

Our Role in Your Resolutions

1

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar This Holiday Season Fore Court Club Happenings

2

A Look at the PHIT Act Paleo Hot Chocolate

3

Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas

4

UGLY SWEATER PARTIES

YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore. It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater-themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY?

white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!

It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind.

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