Ball of Strength Helps Participants Get in Shape

Participants in Franciscan Alliance's monthly Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall on April 25 received a lesson in how use of a mini-ball can help boost core body strength.

Jane Bogordos, fitness supervisor for Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness centers, demonstrated numerous techniques to participants.

Blood pressure screenings also were offered by Barbara Neely, a cardiac rehabilitation technician at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, and by Christy Cleveland, a registered nurse in that unit.

The program takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month on the mall's lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

For more photos of this event, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/FranciscanNWI.

Mallwalkers Learn How to "Move Those Muscles"

Video highlights from the October 2011 FranciscanFIt Mallwalkers event.

Jane Bogordos and Julia Ladewski, certified instructors at Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville, taught exercise and stretching techniques you can do at home that will build your strength, boost your metabolism, increase your endurance and make you excited about working out.

Free muscle assessments were also offered by Omni Health & Fitness.

The program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana, takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month on the mall’s lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

"Move Those Muscles" - Mallwalkers Event Oct. 26

"Move Those Muscles" is the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free event, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 26.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jane Bogordos and Julia Ladewski, certified instructors at Omni Health and Fitness in Schererville. Learn about group exercise techniques that will boost your metabolism, increase your endurance and make you excited about working out.

Muscle assessments will also be offered.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall's lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Mallwalkers Learn to Balance Aging with Strength, Control

A healthy number of participants received lessons in balance and strength control, as they relate to the aging process, during the Aug. 24 Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall in Hobart.

Jane Bogordos, exercise physiologist at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville, discussed the benefits of balance and core strength and led audience members in related exercises, including a number using a seated ball, during the program.

In case you missed it...here is a video recap:

Pulmonary function screenings were offered by Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

The program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana, takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month on the mall’s lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

Next FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Set for Aug. 24

"Balance and Strength As We Age" is the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free event, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 24.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jane Bogordos, exercise physiologist at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville. She will discuss the benefits of balance and core strength during the aging process.

Pulmonary function screenings will be offered by Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall's lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Other Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond and St. Anthony Health-Michigan City.

New Mallwalkers Program Set for July 27

"Take Charge of Your Health" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m., July 27.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jean Kim, M.D., an endocrinologist at the Franciscan Hammond Clinc. Dr. Kim will discuss diabetes, osteoporosis and bone disease.

Glucose and blood pressure screenings also will be provided by the nursing staff of the Franciscan Hammond Clinic.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 9 to 11 a.m., Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital LLC in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City and St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

Mallwalkers Get Stronger at Franciscan Alliance Event

Tammy Pankau, a certified group fitness expert at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville, shows participants in the Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program April 27 how to sharpen their mental focus, boost stamina and improve muscle mass, through an interactive program of lower- and upper-body strength training.

Participants used resistance bands for their workout, which also included stretching exercises prior to using the bands, and cooling down methods at the end of the session. Body mass index and blood pressure screenings also were available.

The free program takes place on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart. For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Set for April 27

Strength training will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance  hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. April 27.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Tammy Pankau, a certified group fitness expert at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville. Pankau will teach participants ways to sharpen  focus, boost stamina and improve muscle mass with an all-ages interactive program on strength training of upper and lower body.

Body mass index and blood pressure screenings also will be available.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital LLC in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City and St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Set for March 23

To help celebrate the new season, “Put Some Spring in Your Step’’ with a healthier diet will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. March 23.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Joe Mishlove, a registered dietitian at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point. Mishlove will share healthy diet advice, recipes and products to help users trim calories and increase nutrients in daily meals.

Blood glucose screenings will be provided by Angela Schoof (laboratory phlebotomist) and Sandy Walden (hospital point of care coordinator), both of Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Other Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC in Munster and St. Margaret Health - Dyer and Hammond.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Steps Off Again on Feb. 23

In light of February being designated American Heart Month, "Resistance Band Training for Cardio Health" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals and Westfield Southlake Mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 23.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Carlos Celis, Franciscan Alliance regional wellness specialist. Celis will offer an interactive demonstration that will show participants how to build strength, tone muscles and maximize cardio workouts by using resistance bands.

Blood pressure screenings will be provided by The Heart Institute at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point. Healthy heart information will be available from Jody Adams, a cardiovascular nurse practitioner at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC, in Munster.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (1-800) 931-3322.

The Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals include Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point; Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City; Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond & Dyer; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program "Steps Off" Again Jan. 26

"Steppin Out in 2011" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region hospitals and Westfield Southlake Mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 26.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jane Bogordos, fitness supervisor for Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville. Bogordos will discuss the importance of stretching and warming up before walking, teach participants how to check their heart rate and lead the group in stretches that can be performed before walking. Blood pressure and resting heart rate screenings also will be available.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (1-800) 931-3322.