Year: 2011

Hitting the Reset Button – How to Detox

Do I Need a Special Program?

There are countless detox diets out there requiring you to buy special herbal blends and spend gobs of your hard earned money for what promises to be the solution to all your ailments. Think twice. The Master Cleanse, Martha’s Vineyard Detox, Fruit Flush, Fast-Track One Day Detox, and the Joshi Program are all highly promoted detox programs on the current market; but buyer, beware. “These diets can give people a false sense of security, a feeling that they’ve been protective of their health,” Dawn Jackson-Blatner, a dietitian at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman told WebMD. I, on the other hand, personally believe in taking the most natural and minimalistic approaches to your body (please, always consult with your physician, though), and a detox is no exception. The proper detox is not a diet but simply making a healthy shift in what you eat and what you expose yourself to for the long run. You take the time to filter out as many artificial substances as possible, and usher in a host of natural foods to give your body the time and resources it needs to repair itself. All you will need is fresh natural foods (organic preferably), common low cost natural supplements, lots of water, patience, determination, commitment, and finally, good advice (provided here of course).

Is Detoxing Safe?

By my definition of detoxing, yes, but always consult your physician before making dramatic changes to your diet. My definition of detoxing includes pulling away from artificial, over-processed foods, minimizing exposure to environmental toxins and increasing self-care to give your body the chance it needs to optimize. It is not a magic bullet, and you mostly lose water weight and possibly backed up fecal matter (stool) in your colon both of which drop big weight fast, but still this is vital. You do lose some body fat, but the idea of a proper detox is to create an ideal foundation for a lifelong positive health shift that will in turn rev your metabolism. At the risk of being hunted down by high-end spas and programs offering $5000 detox packages, don’t waste your money. If it sounds as if they are offering miracles, do your research. Would you rather take the expensive, questionable quick fix that offers you the world only to empty your pockets and add twice the weight back or a realistic permanent healthy change?

So How Do I Get Started?

Allergies:

If you are relatively new to taking care of yourself and not very familiar with your body, I would first recommend that you ask your doctor for an allergy path exam. There are a significant number of people today with food and/or environmental allergens who are none the wiser. You might not be aware of an allergy because some symptoms are as small as headaches, gas, irritation, or lethargy. Allergies become relevant because one symptom you might not be aware of is internal inflammation (which you obviously cannot see). Inflammation can severely affect nutrient absorption and a host of other systems. Make a trip to your doctor and let your doctor know you are interested in finding out whether you have any allergies and if you should worry about intestinal inflammation. (Doctors have a special test.)

What Should I Avoid?

(temporarily)

Sugar

Includes products containing sugar, and hidden forms of sugar, such as sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, and turbinado. Artificial sweeteners are usually not recommended. Stevia and erythritol are allowed natural sweeteners.

Dairy Products

Milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and other dairy products.

Wheat

Wheat and products containing wheat, such as pasta and bread.

Gluten

All gluten-containing grains: wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, and barley.

Coffee

One cup a day is ok if needed to reduce the occurrence of caffeine withdrawal headaches, but if you can, go without.

Stress

I can hear you snickering and laughing from here. Stress reduction is important. Stress reduction is scientifically proven to be critical to proper health, longevity, weight management, and a host of other subjects. Look forward to a full article on stress in an upcoming issue. Try as hard as you can to minimize your stress for this two-week approach of mine with massages, pampering, delegating your work to others temporarily, or just avoiding stressful scenarios temporarily. I know it’s easier said than done, but there is logic behind my madness. If after these two weeks your health and mood are significantly enhanced, then it is in your best interest to take the time to create a battle plan to combat stress for the long run, for the sake of your health.

Other Foods to Avoid

  • Yeast
  • Alcohol
  • Food Additives and Preservatives
  • Chocolate
  • High-Fat Foods

So What Should I Have?

Fruit

Fresh or frozen fruit.

Vegetables

All fresh, please. Particularly good veggies include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussells sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables.

Rice

All forms of rice, brown rice preferred.

Other Grains

Quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat can be used instead of rice. Found at a health food store or in some grocery stores.

Beans

Split yellow and green peas and lentils are easiest to digest and require the least soaking time. Other good options include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans.

Nuts and Seeds

Good choices include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, and walnuts (usable as snacks or on a salad). Natural nut butters are ok. Peanuts and peanut butter are usually not recommended.

Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is a preferred oil.

Condiments

Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, all herbs or spices.

Tea

Herbal teas, green tea.

Other Beverages

Water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, rice milk

Detox Must Dos

  • Fiber – If you are cleaning bad stuff out, it needs to completely leave your system; and only fiber is truly going to take care of the bulk of that work.
  • Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, warm or room temperature preferred.
  • (Recommended) A good probiotic to aid in digestion.
  • (Recommended) A Good Multivitamin to ensure nutrient needs are met.

So Now How Do I Detox?

My basic prescription will take two weeks. You will want to eat five to six equal meals throughout the day. First meal should be within 30 minutes of waking up. I don’t recommend starvation, so eat the amount of calories your body requires. Should you want to put some emphasis on weight loss, find out how many calories you should eat and subtract 500 a day. This deficit will give you an approximate 1-2 lb of fat loss a week. Please note that those of you increasing that 500 calorie deficit should not cut your calories so much that you are starving because it will launch your body into weight storage mode. Stick to a 500 calorie deficit for now. To calculate how many calories, simply multiply your body weight times ten; and that will give you a solid general idea of the calories you use in a day. If you are very sedentary, subtract 300 calories from that number to be more accurate. If you want a more precise method of calculating weight loss calories, head back to my older article on weight loss “Fitness 101 – Weight Loss” in our archives.

Now that you have your allotted calories, split them up evenly over those 5-6 even meals. As for what you should eat, refer back to the included list of What Should I Have? and avoid the Avoids list. Have fun and make your own meals, or buy food if you are not a cook; but stick as close as you can to these two lists for two weeks. The idea is to minimize possible negative influences in your health and filter them out in this detox time. Stay committed and it will pay off big. After these two weeks, begin to reintroduce all the items from the Avoid list one at a time; try to separate the time between each. Notice how your body responds to each of them, and should you not like what happens (i.e., gas, bloating, headache, lethargy, restlessness, mood shift, etc.), then eliminate it completely. This is a great simple way to optimize your health and life.

There are definitely some items on the Avoid list that I highly recommend that you never bring back, though: high fructose corn syrup, white flour, heavy artificial preservatives, and large amounts of sugar. The closer you stay to natural forms of food the easier it is to keep weight down and health up. The body suffers when you mistreat it.

Look forward to a future exposé article on what is in our food that slows us down and how to combat all these hidden land mines. The food industry is going to hurt me; but if you live longer, healthier lives, then I am ok with that.

If you would like a more advanced detailed version of how to detox through my idea of more natural methods for long-term goals, stay close. I will be publishing a comprehensive handbook focused on the top 10 ways to supercharge your metabolism for life very soon. It will include all this in detail, along with sample menus and lots of great helpful surprises. Until we meet again, Agenda readers.

Resources

“The World’s Healthiest Foods – Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating,” GMF publishing, George Mateljan

“Anatomy & Physiology” 6th Edition, Mosby Elsevier Publishing, Thibodeau, Patterson

http://www.webmd.com, http://www.usprobiotics.org

Written by Anthony Heredia

The Skinny on Healthy Detoxing – Should I Detox?

Agenda is evolving and so shall its readers. This issue we are taking a look at how (how being addressed in “Fitness 101” article) and why to detoxify your body from years of environmental and nutritional abuse for a metabolic weight loss and life boost. Hitting the reset button on your body is a great way to get a fresh start on any type of journey towards reaching your health and fitness goals. A detox (short for detoxification) is basically removing as many potentially harmful environmental and dietary toxic substances from your body as possible so that your body may function properly and thrive. We are exposed to countless environmental pollutions (smog, fumes, emissions, pesticides, etc.) as well as nutritional toxins (artificial preservatives, animal hormones, Trans fats, large amounts of sugar, excess sodium, etc.) that over time can dramatically drag our bodies to a slow crawl. Consider detoxing as cleaning house. It’s spring cleaning time.

There are a handful of authorities out there that believe our bodies do not need extra help to detox. These individuals believe that the body has adapted enough over the years to fend for itself, but I strongly disagree. The various toxins we are exposed to are primarily stored in our fat cells (our primary form of storage) when they enter our system. This means the more body fat one accumulates the more potential storage for 21st century toxins. We need to be more proactive about our health and help our bodies attain new levels of health so we can live longer, happier, and more productive lives. The idea of detoxing is basically to give your body a break, a chance to heal itself and play catch up over a brief period of about two weeks. You do this through a balance of natural and modern methods (addressed in Fitness 101). Once your newly cleansed supercharged body is ready, you can restore your daily routine with new, healthier precautions taken to maintain this new-found vitality and youth you have gained.

Detoxifying Helps:

· Reduce Inches in Midsection

When your body is exposed to potential allergens (environmental & nutritional toxins), your body can become inflamed, swelling you from the inside and slowing down many processes inside your body. This can lead to the appearance of a larger stomach when in fact it’s inflammation that your body is fighting. When your body is under heavy inflammation, you are much more likely to gain body fat as well as create a vicious cycle of weight gain.

· Regulate True Appetite (Eliminate Fake Hunger & Cravings)

An abundance of artificial preservatives, excess sugar, nutrient imbalance, and toxic food triggers false chemical signals, making you crave foods you really don’t need.

· Regulate & Boost Sex Drive

A healthy sex drive is a result of healthy hormone secretion and proper blood flow combining in an internal orchestra bringing your lust to life. Should a problem arise on either the hormonal or circulatory level, your taste for amorous lovemaking might decrease significantly. There are numerous reasons why sex drive decreases, but many of those reasons can be significantly helped with some simple self-care.

· Regulate Mental Clarity

Mental clarity is a result of proper neural signals firing cohesively as a result of good blood chemistry. Thinking clearly requires body homeostasis (full body balance) through good oxygen uptake, nutrient balance, and proper circulation, all of which can easily be thrown off by a toxic malnourished system.

· Lessen or Eliminate Bad Breath and Body Odor

You are what you eat, they say. Well, they’re right. Bad breath comes from bad stomach chemistry and rotting food in your mouth. Bad body odor stems from toxins leaving through sweat glands. The more toxic the system the more potent the offending odor. Both these problems can be helped significantly through better diet.

· Lessen or Eliminate Allergies, Eczema, Acne, or Psoriasis

Many allergies and skin conditions are nowadays being recognized more as the result of food irritants. This can also be addressed by a medical allergy patch exam. You might be allergic to something you’re eating and not know it.

· Regulate & Boost Metabolism (Weight Loss)

You basically are able to burn (use) more calories with a cleaner engine (metabolism), thus aiding in your weight loss efforts. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but I am sure you get the idea.

· Regulate & Boost Energy Levels and Moods

Mood imbalance and lethargy are caused for various reasons, but I am referring here to neural chemical imbalances due to electrolyte, fluid, and nutrient imbalances. Not giving your body what it needs can drastically affect energy levels and cause mood swings. You should always consult your physician for serious scenarios, but a detox can make a world of change.

· Regulate Sleep Patterns

Falling asleep begins by your body releasing melatonin from your pituitary gland to render that drowsy feeling. This process can be impaired by a toxic system, making it much harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

· Regulate Bowel Movements

By increasing fiber. Having regular bowel movements is crucial to your health because if you aren’t regular, the toxins in your colon are given time to be reabsorbed into your healthy system.

· Improve Skin Health

By helping restore proper moisture and oils to skin.

· Slow Aging

By fighting deterioration of collagen (main cause of aging) and combating free radicals (the destroyers of healthy cells).

·  Regulate & Boost Immune System

·  Regulate or Eliminate Bloating, Puffiness, Gas, and/or Indigestion

By regulating good to bad bacteria and enzyme ratios in your body that keep you in balance.

There are countless effective ways to detoxify your body, all catering to your varied levels of likes, dislikes, lifestyles and budgets and whims, but whatever you do, make sure to do some research. Find something that has been proven to render results, that has a well established history, and that you will enjoy. Suffering is not the goal; the goal is to be kind to yourself, work with and heal your body from the inside out. Namaste (I bow to the divine in you), Agenda readers. (How to Detox in “Fitness 101”)

Written by Anthony Heredia

Heal the Body . . . Heal the Mind . . . Heal the World!

Healing begins in the mind. An individual releases illness by first surrendering to the present moment and then experiencing relief. The healer acts as a conduit to allow that energy to flow to others. The patient permits that healing, and the energy is cleansed. Love and warmth are the healing agents that heal others as well as the healer.

I have discovered that the body reveals the source of its pain. We emit frequencies that change, depending on where our sickness lies.

Reiki is one particular healing medium that works in concert with the healer’s and the patient’s energy. Everyone can heal. We all have light within ourselves to help one another mentally as well as physically. We only have to become aware.

I am a healer. When the body becomes unbalanced, I work with the individual to bring the body and the mind into equilibrium. Compassion is the greatest tool in my medicine bag; for when people feel loved and accepted, they can then accept the healing, blocks are released, and loving energy is allowed to enter. To practice as a healer is to share empathy and compassion.

Have you heard that the cook should not prepare the meal in anger? The same goes for energy work. I cannot remain angry when practicing healing because soon my own illness of mind begins to fade. When compassion is shared with others, it expands and illuminates areas within us where darkness resides.

Whoever you experience God to be, universally, God is expressed as light. Light is love and love is light. I’ve experienced the light as yellow in hue, and in the past when I’ve sensed healing of the heart and of the body, I’ve felt the temperature grow a few degrees warmer. I really believe that someday when doctors have a better understanding of how energy and frequencies are experienced in the body, they will no longer need lasers and knives to perform surgery. The surgeon will use instruments that correct imbalances in the energy field by using sound and light at different frequencies and wavelengths.

When I place my hands on or above the body, I sense darkness where there is illness and hear a change in the sound of the energy flow. Not all are sensitive as I am to this, but one can learn how to increase his or her sensitivity because with the desire to heal comes the ability. It is a matter of one’s intention.

As the individual goes, so goes the world. There is an individual mind and an individual body, so there is a group mind and body. Potentially we can heal the world with first experiencing healing within ourselves. Hope is the salve that heals, and if I become awakened to the misery of others, I could help to alleviate that misery by offering assistance borne from empathy and compassion.

Have you ever traveled to an area and felt ill and couldn’t tell why? It happened to me a few years ago when I visited Nuremburg, Germany. I felt heaviness in my chest (the region of the heartchakra ) the whole time I was there and couldn’t quite eliminate the sadness I experienced. This was the place where thousands of Jews were sent on the long journey to their slow deaths. A place maintains a memory, for darkness never really leaves an area until it is illuminated. I believe that I sensed the sorrow of the people who were driven to their deaths.

We can illuminate the world in mind and in body by empathizing with others and showing them compassion. Until we stop despising others, we will continue to experience darkness within ourselves. This will cause disease of the mind and the body, and by extension cause disease to the collective mind and body. Cities, countries, and the world represent the collective. Love is the universal salve that heals the collective.

Stevie Wonder has so eloquently stated that our world is truly in need of love today. Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi), a holy woman from India who embraces people around the world in order to take on their karma and heal the mind, body, and spirit has stated that with compassion and empathy, you can heal the world.

Healing starts within; and once our hearts are opened, we can develop empathy, and in turn help others to heal. As the late Michael Jackson said so well in his song “Heal the World,”

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

Lisa Trimarchi

lisaantoinettetr@yahoo.com

I Talk Chic: The Only Way I Know How

I developed my “Talking Chic” column in 2004. This was just after I received my bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in speech communications from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Yes, I had a lot to say to the world—I mean a lot. So imagine the rush I felt when Kaylene Peoples, the publisher and editor in chief ofAgenda Magazine, offered me the platform to just, well, talk. And talk about fashion; puh-lease add more cherries to that pie!

I worked in the TBD department at Nordstrom when I first started my column. And I clearly recall when I gave my acceptance speech to Kaylene. By myself, standing next to the “holds” in the back office, I felt that this moment was supposed to come my way. I knew that my interest in fashion and style would exceed merchandising racks of new trends and getting sizes for customers (even though I loved it all and still personally shop with women!). I desired the chance to sit with an actual designer and pick his or her brain, asking such as questions, Why this fabric? Why only these sizes? Have you always wanted to do this?

Thanks to Agenda Magazine, those days eventually arrived.

So for the last five years, I have been able to chat about the chic things in life—designer collections, Los Angeles fashion shows, my celebrity fashion inspirations, helping women clean out their closets, social networking, family heirlooms, thrift-store shopping, finding the right jeans—my values of what I consider chic topics to address.

I grew up with this magazine and have gone through numerous life changes! But the one thing that has been constant amongst joyful as well as heartbreaking experiences is my “Talking Chic” column. It has helped me stay strong, become more confident, and accept exactly who I am.

By Elana Pruitt, ‘Good Girl Gone Shopping’http://www.diaryofapersonalshopper.blogspot.com

Lindy Flowers – Agenda Magazine Spokesmodel

Lindy Flowers came onboard as Agenda Magazine’s spokesmodel last year for the Summer 2008 issue. Her first segment was shot at the Santa Monica Beach pier early one weekday morning. Her professionalism allowed us to finish the entire segment in less than five hours. That is literally unheard of. Not only did she interview tourists, shoot several collections of swimsuits both in and out of the ocean, she was still able to go to her next photo shoot with time to spare. That day Lindy proved she had what it takes, not only as a model, but as a media personality to boot.

Since that first segment, Lindy has starred in our Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 issues, introducing topics and setting the tone forAgenda Magazine. Still working constantly, she has recently shot a Volkswagen campaign, walked in several runway shows modeling Etro & Carolina Herrera designs. And she recently shot the fall editorial with Ash Gupta Studio 838, which will run in the August 2009 issue. Keep checking back as Lindy will be appearing every season with new segments for the magazine.

You can follow Lindy at www.twitter/agendamag.

Summer 2008 Segment

Fall 2008 Segment

Spring 2009 Segment

Marilyn Anderson – Agenda Magazine’s Travel and Entertainment Writer and So Much More!

If you’ve enjoyed reading about Miami and getting an up-front view of Taiwan, then you’ve been reading Marilyn Anderson’s travel and entertainment section in Agenda Magazine. Marilyn, along with co-writer Dennis L. Lanning, has taken us on so many well-chosen excursions. Her column, “Romance on the Road,” has helped countless readers find their ideal vacation spot. She has also reviewed some of the best Broadway, off-Broadway, theater, movies, concerts, and benefits.

“Dolly Parton, who starred in the original movie and also wrote the lead Grammy-winning song, “Nine to Five,” has written both the music and lyrics for the stage version. Parton composed some twenty new songs, everything from rousing production numbers to a romantic ballad. The musical’s book was written by Patricia Resnick, who co-wrote the screenplay for the movie.” -Marilyn Anderson, Five Fab Femmes Make “9 to 5” Fantastic Fun! –

The Travel and Entertainment section debuted in the Holiday 2006 issue. Little did I know at the time that it would turn into such a staple for the magazine. Marilyn does a very thorough review, unrivaled by any I’ve read. Her colorful, yet accurate descriptions of each excursion leaves me wanting a vacation. In fact, I took a trip to Miami based upon one of her reviews, and it was everything she had described.

“Befitting the upscale Noble House chain, our room had a mixture of elegant and interesting touches, including extremely soft and fluffy linens, large screen LED TV and a free standing, claw-foot tub in the bathroom. Opening the optional sliding door gave us a crisp starry view out the bedroom window, while we were soaking in a bub-bub-bubbly tub. Isn’t that romantic?” -Marilyn Anderson, Seattle Is for Lovers, Umbrella Optional –

I met Marilyn when I was researching a topic for Agenda ‘s single women. That search for a dating expert led me to Marilyn, and we featured her in our Winter 2006 issue. Her internationally published book Never Kiss a Frog – A Girl’s Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp, an easy read, was filled with wonderful advice. And ever since, that synergy has been enjoyed by all. Currently, Agenda Magazine ‘s Agenda Pictures and Never Kiss a Frog Productions are in the process ofcompleting a series of webisodes, bringing to the small screen nine scenarios right out of her book. Marilyn also wrote and co-produced another new comedy webisode series, I Married an Einstein.

Marilyn Anderson is a professional writer for film and TV. She has written for Murphy Brown, FAME, Sherman Oaks, Friday the 13th – the Series, and Carol & Company, starring Carol Burnett. The organization Women in Film honored Marilyn with a LUMINAS Award for the positive depiction of women in film and television. Last year one of her Romantic Comedies was produced and aired on Lifetime TV.

Marilyn has been interviewed on over 250 radio & television shows and has been featured in magazines & newspapers nationwide, includingTeen People, Complete Woman, the National Examiner, The Sun, Rocky Mountain News, Las Vegas Sun, Boca News, Toronto Sun, Calgary Sun, Vancouver Sun, METRO NY, METRO Boston, METRO Philly, and LA Splash Magazine.

In addition, she has written relationship articles for the Los Angeles Times, Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, Jewish News of Greater Phoenix, Chicago Wedding Pages, Long Island Wedding Pages, Arizona Wedding Pages, Betty Confidential and others. As a relationship expert on Expert Village, Ms. Anderson tells viewers “How to do effective internet dating” in 22 video segments.

Marilyn has a unique background. She was originally a biologist and worked at the National Academy of Sciences, where she became an expert in the mating habits of animals. Now she is an expert on the mating habits of the human animal!

To learn more about Marilyn Anderson, visitwww.neverkissafrog.com.

By Kaylene Peoples

Lisa Trimarchi – Insights Columnist Creating a Window to the Soul

Since summer 2004, Lisa has written heartfelt articles pertaining to the human soul. Some of her articles have touched on children at war, global peace, unrest, personal relationships, even the passing of a loved one. She has taken us on a tour of human emotions—exposing her thought process. Lisa’s willingness to be open about her own personal life experiences has enabled her readers to explore their own feelings.

“It hit me one day: I can’t do everything. Then I shook myself and tried to do more. I found love or so I thought and tried to juggle that, too. Well, a juggler can only keep so many balls up in the air, and unfortunately, mine came tumbling down.” -Lisa Trimarchi, Fall back ten and punt –

What inspires your writing?

I have been writing for Agenda Magazine for five years. My life has been my inspiration and source of my articles’ topics. I have included Agenda ‘s readers on my spiritual journey and developed the voice within that leads me to further understanding. I’ve gone through storms both physical and spiritual, and as I review the past, I’ve changed; but the light and spirit that has driven me forward remains intact.

I understand you are a healer certified with Reiki. What exactly is Reiki, and could you talk a little about that?

The official definition of Reiki is the non-physical healing energy made up of life force energy that is guided by the higher intelligence or a spiritually guided life force energy known as Chi, which provides relaxation and stress reduction to promote healing and pain relief.

I’m a medical intuitive. I can see problems in the body without a person telling me. What happens often when I work with a person, using Reiki, I will see what the problems are and that person will feel relief in those areas.

“I’m about to pick up some of those balls that I had to drop before. Sometimes it pays to let go. Sometimes risks pay off.”—Lisa Trimarchi, Insights Columnist—

Being a Reiki healer sort of goes along with the sensitivity of your articles—the waters run deep. Insights’ gamut of topics is vast. You’ve written about your children, failed romances, and you’ve even broached controversial subjects like the unrest in the Middle East.

I hope my readers have gotten some insights from my articles and have thought about some of the themes that could lead to their growth and enlightenment. I will continue to write my insights forAgenda Magazine readers and will attempt to share empathy, compassion, and understanding.

Any last words?

Here’s to another five years. Namaste and God bless!

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Anthony Heredia – Fitness Couture Writer for Agenda Magazine

Health shouldn’t be intimidating. Feeling good about yourself is critical to living a fulfilled life. When you feel great, you radiate. Imagine what kind of world this would be if we were all happy and in good health. -Anthony Heredia-

From teaching us how to drop a dress size in a month to informing us about the dangers of not getting enough sleep, Fitness Couture’s Anthony Heredia has been the voice of health and fitness for almost a year. I’ve heeded his advice many times and have seen for myself just how valid and necessary his contributions are.

You have a passion for fitness and health. What sparked that passion?

My passion for health and fitness started with my own weight loss story. I had been obese my entire life. I didn’t know a thin day until I was 18. I was tired of being 300 lbs and wanted to do something about it. I did what I always do when I don’t understand something, research. The first 40 lbs I lost with a popular weight loss program, but I soon became more knowledgeable than my counselors. I read everything I could get my hands on that related to weight loss. All my neighbors asked what my secret was, so I helped them with the little bit I knew at the time; and they lost weight. It was such a great feeling. I was hooked. I have now been in the health & fitness industry over eight years, 100 lbs of body fat lighter, and have had the pleasure of helping hundreds of lives personally; and now through Agenda I can reach millions. I beat the weight loss/gain cycles by educating myself, and now I am able to share that with others.

You’ve been writing for Agenda for a year now. How do you feel you have grown as a writer?

My style and skills in writing have grown exponentially, thanks to the highly experienced nurturing staff. I was a health guy in a high fashion world with no previous fashion affiliations; I had a lot to adapt to. I am a quick learner, so I attended numerous fashion events and asked countless questions to grow quickly. As a writer I have grown to be more empathetic to my readers and more conscious of their concerns and needs. My fashion-forward colleagues are a great resource for choosing topics relevant to our readers. They help me stay effective in translating confusing health and fitness information into the polished package that our readers can enjoy and apply to their lives. I believe to be a good writer, I must stay inquisitive and passionate and in tune with my readers.

Is there any particular health/fitness topic that is difficult to write about?

To be honest, no, but that’s because I am fascinated by the human body. By this fall I will have nine years of experience and eight health credentials, varying from fitness, nutrition, and weight loss to a Master’s in massage and physical therapy for balance; but I still believe you can never know enough. There is just so much to learn, but I love it all—that’s why it’s not difficult. I am going to remain a student of the human body forever. No one knows everything, regardless of how many degrees or years of experience they have. When I am asked to write an article about a subject I don’t fully understand, I get excited—time to research. I get the opportunity to dive into medical journals, textbooks, and research a subject I am passionate about, learn something new and grow. Nothing is truly difficult when you truly care. I am curious by nature, always wanting to know more so that I can translate it for those who need it.

What is your focus when you are writing? What do you want to accomplish with your writing?

My job when writing is to translate tedious technical medical info into something our readers can understand, enjoy, and apply to improve their lives. The deterioration of our nation’s health is not because of a lack of access to knowledge but a glitch in communication—translating this heavy information into something the average person can relate to and apply. People care; they are just lost and just confused by the barrage of information: “Whom do I listen to and believe?” I wish I could magically zap what I know into everybody in this world. I am invested in helping everyone I can because I believe that living a healthy life should not be luxury. I find it a privilege to serve as a translator to those who care to listen.

What are your goals in the fitness/health industry?

Although I am a health writer for a fashion magazine, I am invested long term in helping all people from every walk of life. I want to help improve the quality of life of as many people as I can on as large a scale as possible in my lifetime. I want to be a voice of reason in a sea of insanity and confusion. I want to empower by giving the tools needed to reach realistic health goals so people will lead happier, longer, more productive lives. It’s not always about looking great. Sometimes a mom just wants to keep up with her kids, or a dad wants to avoid health complications, or a grandfather wants to live to see his grandkids graduate from college. My ultimate goal is to learn as much as I can, condense and translate vital health and fitness information into realistic affordable solutions.

Your column is “Fitness Couture.” How does women’s fashion play a role in shaping an article? Are there any challenges writing for this demographic?

When I first jumped in, I wondered how a fitness grunt like myself was going to meld into this couture fashion world—but it wasn’t that hard. Fashion is art draped upon bodies that best reflect the artistic vision of the designer to bring their image to life. To me the human body is art, clay that can be shaped and molded with the proper vision and knowledge. I delved into the fashion world by simply studying everything about the numerous body types in runway shows as I sat and watched front row. While my editor broke down the fashion, I broke down the body underneath the fashion.

If you could offer three tips to people about health and fitness, what would they be?

There are NO magic bullets. 1) If it sounds too good to be true, walk away fast! For long-term results, you must learn about yourself and make positive changes in your lifestyle that work for you. Balance customized to your lifestyle is key. 2) There is always an answer. If you have a realistic goal and just can’t seem to reach it, don’t give up. Do your research and find compassionate help. There is always a solution but some problems you can’t beat alone. Don’t give up! 3) Work with your body, not against it. The human body adapts to what you do to it. Starve it and it goes into self-defense mode; over feed it and it stores the excess. Deprive it of rest and it becomes weak and slow. You get the idea? It is doing what it does best—surviving. Find a healthy balance and give your body what it needs and when it needs it consistently, and I promise your health and figure will transform significantly.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Lee L. Peoples: Copy Editor and Book Reviewer – The Second Artery that Is Agenda Magazine

Agenda Magazine wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for Lee Peoples, our copy editor and book reviewer. It seems as though Lee lives and breathes syntax. She is the second artery that gets the heart beating. And Agenda wouldn’t be what it is today without her.

You have been the copy editor for Agenda since the very beginning. Many people would consider what you do extremely tedious. How do you feel about copy editing?

Yes, Agenda was begun in 2004, the last year of my teaching career in the classroom. It ideally fit right into what I had been doing for the better part of my life, and it was one of the goals I set for myself upon retiring the following year. I could still “teach English” without the daily commute, the only thing I hated about my work.

Some might think editing and proofreading tedious, but I enjoy it, especially when I see that what I do not only benefits the magazine but also helps the writers in some small way to be the creative writers they are. In most cases, it’s just a matter of synchronizing style; but in others my editing actually helps the writer become better. I love teaching, and I have always taken pride in fostering growth in others. And with each article I learn something new, as in every day in the classroom I always gleaned something new.

Give a little bit of your background.

I retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2005, where I had spent forty-one years as a teacher of English. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from Grambling College, Louisiana, in 1960. Later, I did graduate work at UCLA and Cal State Long Beach. My first teaching experience was done in Augsburg, Germany, where I spent two years with my husband who was in the Army there. I began my family there. I also taught in the Army Education Center, where I prepared soldiers for the English part of the GED so that they could get their high school diplomas.

My teaching experience in California began in junior high school where I taught English composition and language arts to my favorites, seventh and ninth graders; and ended years later in senior high school. My experiences included teaching all levels of English and language arts, from remedial to average to advanced placement. I have been English department chairperson, master teacher, training teacher, and mentor to many new teachers. I have worked with the district in curriculum. I owe my many successes to my own love of learning, originally engendered in me by my parents and older siblings, and my insatiable thirst for knowledge. As I teach, I learn.

I always modeled my teaching after my high school English teacher, whom I credit with most of what I learned about my field even before I went to college. Growing up in a small town in South Louisiana, I am fortunate to have had Mrs. Herbert as my English teacher for all four years of high school.

Did you ever have a favorite article, writer, etc., related to the magazine?

Gee, they are all my favorites. Not only do I enjoy reading the articles, but I am always learning something new. And I just love working with everyone.

You also do the book reviews. What’s involved in reviewing a book for a magazine?

As in the classroom, my goal is to create interest in the book and hopefully get the reader hooked enough to read that book. I generally write about what I liked about the book, whether it is the plot, the characters, the setting, theme, style, etc. Sometimes my intent is clarification.

What is involved in copy editing?

Simply making sure that the writing is clear and the style is consistent. Clarity involves sentence structure, paragraph development, correct grammar, spelling, punctuation . . . knowing when to break the rules to suit the occasion.

What is your opinion of the way we use language today? If you can, give examples of media, social situations, and print.

A stickler for the correct use of language, I cringe at its abuse. This abuse is not deliberate but is often the result of a lack of knowledge of the grammar of the language. It is too bad grammar is not taught in the classroom as it used to be. In many cases the only grammar a student learns is in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes or in foreign language classes. For example, the highly educated news commentator might say, “. . . between you and I,” simply because he/she does not know that between is a preposition and must be followed by an object, in this case, “me.”

To be confident of punctuation in writing—an absolute necessity for clarity—one needs to know the rules. Where should these rules be taught? In the classroom, the English classroom, that is. An understanding of grammar and knowledge of punctuation rules contribute to reading comprehension. The misuse of some verbs can be remedied by simply knowing their meanings and their principal parts. Where taught? Again, in the English classroom (and, of course, exercised in all the disciplines). So instead of, “She’s layingdown in her bedroom,” the speaker or writer says/writes, “She’slying down. . . .” Lie, lying, lay, lain—intransitive, “to rest or recline”—as opposed to lay, laying, laid, laid—transitive, “to put or place (an object).”

Anything you’d like to add about what it is you do and your passions for the English language?

I love the English language, and this leads to my passion in helping others in their oral and written communication.

Are there any highlights you’d like to share about what you do?

I’ve had lots of highs. Contributing to the success of the magazine and helping the writers are just two of these highs.

What advice if any could you give to writers?

Continue to aim for clarity. Writing is rewriting. Keep up the good work.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Arun Nevader – Photographer and Agenda Magazine Gem

Winter 2009, Anne V. from the Victoria’s Secret Runway Show graced our cover. Beautiful images from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Miami Fashion Weeks entertained our readers and brought the best fashion around to Agenda Magazine, not to mention the exclusive behind the scenes and celebrity coverage. Photographer Arun Nevader was partially responsible for creating the high standard that is Agenda. I remember when I first met Arun at New York Fashion Week. Agenda was still very new, and I was paying my dues videotaping runway shows on the riser. He came to my rescue as I was fighting for my right to be there along with the veterans. I knew he was special back then, but having his contributions these past few years has truly been a blessing.

When did you become a photographer, and what was the motivating factor?

Well, I started as a photographer in Central America in the early 80s, working extensively in Guatemala and El Salvador during their insurgency conflicts, though El Salvador was more a civil war than an insurgency campaign. It was there that I learned how to photograph people in the midst of events, often tragic and horrifying. I left photography in the mid 80s and didn’t return to it until myson, his partners, and a core of talented entertainment photographers founded WireImage in 2001. I became one of the early WireImage photographers working under the guidance of the founding photographers. Those were exciting times for this business.

I understand you are also a teacher. Tell me a little about that. And how does being a teacher affect your craft?

Yes, I’m a lecturer in the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley. I teach information design for technology development in the Technical Communications Program. I’m not sure what qualified me for the job other than being in the right place at the right time—I’ve considered Berkeley my home since 1967. My graduate work is actually in Early Modern British Studies, and my field of expertise is the influence of French neo-classical painting on the British Gothic literary imagination as it appears in both fiction and the commercial stage in late 18 th century Britain. There is absolutely no relation between these two worlds of cultural literary studies and quantitative information design. But I also have extensive experience in structural engineering as a builder of some fairly large commercial projects. So I guess my language skills, together with a strong knowledge of civil engineering practice was a strong skill set for the position that I accepted in 2000 at UCB. It’s been a dream job for reasons like trying to explain the taste of sweet to someone who has yet to taste it. I teach graduating seniors across several engineering disciplines, which often means that I’m working with some of the brightest minds on the planet. Why is this so gratifying? I’m clearly the class idiot, most GPAs are hovering at the 4.0 range—some higher! And I get to read 50 of the most exciting technology projects under development at Berkeley. These projects change from year to year, so I’m always about 6 to 10 years ahead of the marketplace—things like smart dust (autonomous intelligent particles the size of a period on the page, floating in mid-air, gathering and transmitting information, or synthetic blood, or quantum computing for fail-safe data security, or thin-film solar, some either classified or proprietary—you get the idea. I wake up on a Tuesday or Thursday and say, “Wow, today’s a school day!” My mother always used to tell me that I’d be an engineer one day. Well, Mom (she died in 1964), not quite but close enough, perhaps better!

I don’t see that much in common between my academic life and my life as a photographer. My students, of course, love my photos, as it’s a well-known fact that engineering students at Berkeley have no life beyond their latest problem set. But for me, the worlds are totally separate. Since I know a fair amount about digital imaging technologies, I can often use them to explain relevant issues in the classroom, but that’s about it.

What were some of the highlights of your career? (For example, the most exciting photo-shoot, biggest job, etc.)

Well, starting from the WireImage days, they are almost too many to list. First of all, it’s important to understand that I’m a press photographer who shoots mostly entertainment and fashion. I wouldn’t call myself an artist, but an observer. Sometimes, if rarely, the photo does achieve that extra status as somewhat remarkable, but it’s usually in spite of it all. If I had to choose a couple of moments, it would be shooting for People Magazine for a Michael J. Fox event. Michael, his wife Tracy, and Heather Locklear were there for the event. Michael’s publicist came up to me seconds before getting what I needed and said to me, “Arun, you get three snaps. I better not hear a fourth. Make sure you get it in three.” Well, I got it in three, though that’s often hard to do. My highlights have been in shooting the bigger film festivals such as Sundance and Telluride, not to mention the San Francisco International Film Festival a few years ago. I had Sharon Stone, Phil Bronstein, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, and Robin Williams in a hotel room, and I was the only guy in there for most of it. I thought I had died and gone to celebrity heaven. Most recently, I’d say being able to photograph Justin Timberlake and Anna Wintour together posing for me. You’ll never see that combination again. I’ve had too many of those kinds ofmoments to recount here. Overall, I’d say that I’m just now hitting my stride in highlights, and it did not happen until I started shooting backstage fashion for Dan Lecca in New York. Celebrity photography can be exciting, but shooting beauty in its highest register is transcendent and the dream of many photographers.

You have had the opportunity to shoot with a lot of amazing people. I know that you have shot Victoria’s Secret show a few times now. What was that like?

Yes, well, I’ve shot VS for three years now, and the last two seasons for the designer. When you shoot for the designer, you get the best spot on the floor. So my spot is always directly to the left of the giant CBS TV camera. The show is lit for TV and staged for TV, so they care far less about the still photographers. But when you’re right next to the TV guy, then all the models are looking right down your lens and you’re always eyeball to eyeball with them. Everyone else is shooting from underneath, which is an entirely different angle and a compromised photo. Many of the models in the VS show are actually New York runway models, most of whom I know from New York Fashion Week. So it’s great to see them in the VS show. They are second billing to the VS angels—the contract models—is always hard to believe, but still true. The VS show is the runway spectacle of the year. It’s probably the only show where the model is in fact the center of attention, not the fashion. Shooting backstage last season, especially in available light was extraordinary. Everybody understands that we’re all here to make it work and the models are terrific to work with, even with six people in their hair.

Is there anything unique about the way you shoot, like special techniques, lighting style, etc.?

I try to see the image before I shoot it. Since I shoot mainly backstage now, that is even more important. The image usually lasts for a fleeting moment. You either get it or you don’t. There won’t be a second chance in many cases. But I’ve learned that in shooting the top 50 models backstage, it’s just as important to know what else is in the shot besides the beauty. Those other things are often the things that will make the shot. Going for color, balance, depth of field, and the timeless strangeness of rare beauty—those are the things I look for. What’s strange about beauty at that level is that it’s transformative. Oftentimes, an odd, very young, overly thin, wispy girl walks in the backstage door to sit down for makeup and hair. She walks in often with bad hair and bad skin, and in the space of two hours undergoes a metamorphosis into the true beautiful form she can then fully embody. I shouldn’t say that this is only the provenance of female models. Male models are equally overwhelming in their level of beauty and oftentimes even more surprising, though usually less so in the transformation that takes place in hair and makeup. As far as camera technique is concerned, I like to get it as perfect as possible right out of the camera with as little image processing as possible. That’s not always possible because of skin and other factors. Bad skin in models, by the way, has more to do with constantly being in new makeup and having lots of hands on your face—a health concern that is now only beginning to be addressed.

Who are some of your influences, if any?

Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, and Michael Caulfield, to whom I will always be indebted.

Tell me about what you’re doing now.

Miami Swim Shows will happen in July, New York in September, flying to Iceland for two days in September for their yearly Fashion Week, then Los Angeles Fashion Week, Victoria’s Secret again in November, and a host of individual events scattered throughout.

What was the highest high of your career?

Having a tall dynamite blonde at a high profile party almost run me over as I was about to take her photo the night of the Oscars in 2002. She was too beautiful and too crazy for words. And I said, “And, Miss, can I get your name please?” “Yes, you can call me Anna Nicole.” It was my first Oscar party, and a quarter-page photo ran in the New York Postthe next day of Anna Nicole Smith with my by-line.

Were there any lows?

Yeah, when I mistakenly reformatted a card that had probably $10,000 worth of celebrity images on it. It was the Playstation 2 party celebrity arrivals event in Los Angeles back in 2002. Too painful to remember. I can’t thank you for reminding me of my stupidity, but I can appreciate the lesson.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?

Keep shooting all the time. It’s increasingly difficult to make a career out of it, so know why you’re doing it. Never say no to a job, and always respect your limits, which end at the end of your lens. There’s a lot to say about this world, and hard to get it into a single paragraph. So anyone who wishes to know more can contact me at arun@arunnevader.com

Any last words?

I never knew it until much later in life, but photography is a form much like poetry—that is, a language frozen in its unique time, this time in its frame. Always try to see the frame when you can—the rest will be contained therein. One last word on technique—always push the limits of your lens and never go for the easy shot unless you have to.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

See Arun Nevader’s web gallery of career highlights.