Program offers research-based method for weight management

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Profile by Sanford is now open at 3010 E. 53rd Street in Davenport. This is the second store Iowa.  The Hawkeye state's first Profile store is in Clive and opened in July.

Profile launched in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, opening its first store front in November 2012. Today, it has 16 locations in five states with several more planned openings by the end of 2014.

Profile was designed using a large body of clinical research to ensure a sustainable means to healthy weight loss. A clinical and scientific advisory board comprised of Sanford Health physicians and researchers oversaw the development of the Profile system.  Sanford Health is the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the United States.

"This state-of-the-art weight-loss system has brought clinically-proven results to communities across the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska," said local store manager Justin Roberson. "I'm eager to see the results this nutritional program will have here in Davenport."

The rapidly growing Profile system utilizes meal-replacement products, nutritionally complete food and qualified health coaches. In addition to members consuming both Profile-produced and grocery-store food, coaches develop customized plans for their clients and offer advice on nutrition, exercise and behavior.

Profile continues to focus on program advancements through the launch of new food products, such as three new pizza varieties available this fall. Profile is also on the cutting edge of technology, expanding to better assist members with measuring daily activity. A new fitness tracker will provide additional measurable data that will be helpful to members and coaches in helping to monitor progress toward goals.

In addition to face-to-face meetings, coaches are able to efficiently track members' progress through the use of smart wireless technology. Each member is outfitted with wireless devices to measure progress, including tools to track body weight, measurement and blood pressure. These devices automatically upload to a secure server, where members and coaches can monitor improvement on the web or mobile applications. Printed options are also available to members.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population is considered overweight or obese.

To learn more, visit profileplan.net or call (877) 373-6069.

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas and is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation with locations in 126 communities in nine states. In addition, Sanford Health is in the process of developing international clinics in Ghana, Mexico and China.

Sanford Health includes 43 hospitals, 140 clinic locations and 1,360 physicians in 81 specialty areas of medicine. With more than 26,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in North Dakota and South Dakota. The system is experiencing dynamic growth and development in conjunction with nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford. These gifts are making possible the implementation of several initiatives, including global children's clinics, multiple research centers and finding cures for type 1 diabetes and breast cancer. For more information, visit sanfordhealth.org.

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The Davenport Education Association (DEA) is offering a student-focused alternative to Superintendent Art Tate's proposed budget cuts for the Davenport Community School District. The DEA alternative plan balances the budget while still delivering quality instruction to all students regardless of their zip code.

The DEA represents more than 1,300 professional educators, nurses, and other licensed personnel in the Davenport Community School District.

"We recognize the district's budget situation is serious and needs immediate attention to maximize the opportunities for student learning for the 2015-2016 school year," said Toby Paone, Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) UniServ Director. "Our alternative starts at the top of the organization where it affects kids the least. The biggest problem with the Superintendent's recommendation is that it makes too many cuts in the classroom. We approached the budget with a scalpel instead of a meat axe," added Paone.

Paone added: "Keeping budget cuts out of our classrooms and away from our students should be everyone's number one priority. We hope to work with the school district's administration and the board of education to achieve this goal."

The DEA budget-balancing plan includes:

Savings totaling $3 million.

Keeping all schools open.

No mid-year program changes.

No increase in class-sizes.

Maintaining block scheduling.

Early retirement incentive for teachers.

Eliminates redundant administrative positions.

Reductions in the Achievement Services Center (ASC).

Reduction of (2) Curriculum Specialists.

Reduction of the District Athletic Director position.

Eliminating Administrative Retirement Annuity.

The DEA Executive Board appointed five experienced teachers and DEA leaders to a special committee to develop the association's recommended alternative. Committee members include Karen Kline-Jerome, English/language arts teacher at Central High School; Dan Flaherty, social studies teacher at Central High School; Rich Adams, science teacher at Sudlow Intermediate School; Cari Johnson, District Teacher Leadership Support teacher and the DEA Vice President; and Rebecca Menard, physical education teacher at Truman Elementary and the DEA President.

There will be a news conference to discuss the DEA's budget proposal:

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Time: 4:30 PM

Place: Madison Elementary School Auditorium

116 E. Locust Street, Davenport

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3 Retirement Essentials Every Boomer Should Follow for the New Year
By: Carl Edwards, MBA, ChFC®

Wow, what an amazing market ride over the last few years!  Running on tracks laid by an unprecedented Federal Reserve monetary easing program, the market has once again run to new all-time highs and appears to still have some steam. Or does it?

While no one really knows the answer to this, it is important to remember history as a guide, and to think about the future -- your future.  It wasn't all that long ago that the world's financial system was shaken to its core, leaving many retirees running for shelter from the Ebola-like symptoms displayed by world financial systems.  Fear over which institution or country would next display the almost certain deadly symptoms ran rampant.

I am certainly not echoing the calls of the past and screaming it's time to get your guns and gold.  I am, however, pointing out to consumers the recent and vivid reminders of the importance to get back to the basics with your financial planning this New Year.  If we fail to remember the past, we repeat it.  You have worked too hard preparing for this time in your life.

Let's review three vital elements you should implement in your retirement plan this New Year.

•  Get your annual financial check-up. How can we possibly forget to do this?  Annual check-ups are the number one preventative care tool at our disposal.  While many individuals should be meeting more regularly with their financial advisor, everyone should have at least the minimum of an annual visit.  Problems creep up and this is often the best way to catch them before it is too late.

•  Don't forget to diversify. Are you working with a broker who always wants to sell you mutual funds full of stocks and bonds?  Does your annuity guy think every dime you have should be stuffed into insurance products?  The reality is they are probably both wrong.  Find an advisor this year who knows the benefits of each of these products, but who also knows the value of how they work together.  Diversification is important and it may include each of these products along with other assets such as individual stocks and bonds, Certificates of Deposit (structured and fixed), Business Development Companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts, precious metals, and numerous other investments.

•  Rebalance, Rebalance, Rebalance. With the great equity run up we have encountered since the lows of March 2009, it is vital to remember that we must continue to evaluate our investment portfolios.  While equity portfolios have risen significantly since that time, other areas of our portfolio may not have fared so well, leaving our risk levels in need of adjustment. It is often a good idea to capture some of those hard-earned gains.  You never know -- the next major pullback could be just around the corner.  Be prudent, not greedy!

About Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards, MBA, ChFC®, is a Chartered Financial Consultant® and is the owner of C.E. Wealth Group, (http://www.cewealth.com). He has passed the Series 7, Series 66 and Series 63 securities industry exams. In addition, he has passed the Series 24 principal exam. He represents High Street Asset Management as an Investment Adviser Representative and Calton & Associates, Inc. as a Registered Representative.  The views expressed in this article reflect the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of Calton & Associates, Inc. or High Street Asset Management. Information contained in this article is not a recommendation, solicitation, or offer to buy or sell securities.  Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Individuals should consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.  Edwards is also a licensed insurance agent in Life, Health, Medicare Supplement and Long Term Care insurances. Edwards received a master's degree in business administration and is currently completing a second master's degree in finance from Penn State University. He also is a member of the American MENSA.

Search online and you'll find dozens of Web sites promising to tell you exactly how to lose 20 pounds (or more), often with hyped-up claims of speedy success, like losing the weight in 30 days or "just six weeks!" The reality is that losing 20 pounds is an achievable goal if you apply proven strategies, such as counting calories. This approach may take a bit longer than those miracle diets, but it will actually work and help you develop healthy habits to keep the weight off, and even lose more, if that's your goal.

"Having a realistic weight goal makes good sense," says dietitian Jenna Anding, PhD, RD, of the department of nutrition and food science in the Texas A&M System at College Station. "Eliminating 500 calories a day can help promote a one-pound-per-week weight loss. Increasing physical activity can also help promote weight loss."

In order for counting calories to work, you will have to do a little math (it's okay to cheat and use a calculator). If you want to lose 1 pound a week (it is safe to lose up to 2 pounds a week or 1 percent of your body weight, if you weigh more than 200 pounds), that means you need to cut out or burn through exercise about 500 calories a day. But remember not to eat less than 1,200 calories daily, so that your body doesn't retreat into starvation mode. A reduction of at least 500 calories a day means you could lose a pound every week or 20 pounds in about five months.

Here are four diet truths to help you achieve your goals:

• Cutting out sweet drinks is non-negotiable. Sweet tea, soda, and flavored and sweetened milks, waters, and coffees all have to go. Drink plain water, low-fat milk, and sugar-free drinks instead. A study of 810 adults between 25 and 79 years old showed that after 18 months, those who cut out sweet drinks had greater weight loss than those who cut down on food calories. One possible reason: While your body lets you know when it is full of food, there is no way for your body to tell you when you've maxed out on liquid calories.
• Physical activity helps counting calories. Being physically active burns calories while it improves your overall health. Aim for 30 minutes a day most days of the week. A brisk 30- to 45-minute walk burns 100 to 200 calories. If you can burn 200 calories through exercise, you only have to cut out 300 calories in food or drink to reach your daily calorie-cutting goal.
• Strategically eating less drops weight. A study of 811 overweight people who participated in four popular diets found that whether diets were low-fat, high-protein, or a combination didn't matter ? weight-loss success depends on cutting out calories. In fact, you can continue to eat filling portions if you simply replace high-calorie foods with low-calorie foods that contain a lot of water, such as fruits and vegetables. A study of 97 obese women who ate either a low-fat diet or a low-fat diet with additional fruits and vegetables found that those who emphasized fruits and veggies lost up to five pounds more.
• Journaling leads to success. Counting calories is easier if you write down (or type in) what you eat, including serving sizes and details such as condiments you may have added. "Research has shown that exercise and journaling really make a difference in long-term weight management," says Gail Curtis, assistant professor at Wake Forest University Health Sciences in Winston-Salem, N.C. A detailed journal will help you identify your successes and pinpoint where you can cut additional calories or replace high-calorie foods with low-calorie ones.

With dedicated work you can apply these truths to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks or less. So get moving!