After trying everything to lose weight and frequently giving up, a local woman finally found the mental motivation to stick with a plan.

Take us back to your childhood. Did you always struggle with your weight?

I was always a bigger kid but not massively huge. I was really into sports and dance so that helped keep things steady.

How often did you attempt to lose the weight over the years? Which diets or programs did you try?

I tried everything—Atkins, juicing, South Beach, pills… you name it. Ultimately it was Weight Watchers that resonated with me, but I had about five or six “first days” on that as well.

When did you decide to take action… and did it feel different this time?

A couple of years ago, I knew it was a growing problem and that at 35, I needed to do something or else live a life either on medications or no life at all. I was bullied by my former boyfriend about my weight so in December 2015, I decided to join Weight Watchers to please him. But I quickly realized that this needed to be for me and me alone.

You said Weight Watchers was ultimately what worked for you. What drew you to that program?

I chose it for the accountability. I knew stepping on a scale in front of someone would hold me accountable. I also liked the support in meetings from men and women who were going through similar challenges.

Describe how your diet changed from before to after.

I went in full throttle. I ditched alcohol, take out, processed foods, and sugar. I became a pro at meal prepping my foods, keeping in mind a 25/25/50 ratio on my plate (25% carbs, 25% protein and 50% veggies/fruit). I also prepped my snacks so that I always ate a protein and a fruit or vegetable to stay full.

And describe how your activity level changed from before to after.

I was leading a very sedentary lifestyle. I decided that I wanted to get the food under control first before I tried to put the exercise in, so it was a few months of shedding pounds just from eating right before I began to exercise. Then I slowly built up to running and from there I have completed a half marathon and the Virginia 10 Miler. I then began weight training to build muscle.

Did you ever have any setbacks or challenges along the way?

Absolutely! I had gotten too skinny at one point and found it challenging to maintain that. Also, falling in love with someone new (now my fiancé) also contributed to what people describe as “love weight.” I am currently a few more pounds than I’d like to be but have committed to getting back on track and using the tools I have learned to find a good balance. I have a wedding dress to fit into now!

What kinds of changes did you notice in yourself, aside from the numbers on the scale, as the weight came off?

I became incredibly more confident in every aspect of my life. I was able to recognize that I was in a bad relationship and had the confidence to walk away. I also became more outgoing professionally and was able to better present myself in my career.

How long did it take for you to reach your goal weight?

I had lost and gained weight before getting really serious, but I joined Weight Watchers on December 7, 2015 and hit my goal weight on December 7, 2016, which I think was pretty cool. So in a year I had lost about 106 lbs.

And how long have you maintained it?

Since the end of 2016, I gave into sugar again after attending a bridal expo and eating my weight in cake, so some bad habits crept back in. But this time I was able to recognize it early on and get it back together.

What advice would you give to others who want to lose weight but just feel frustrated?

There is no quick fix and not every diet/lifestyle is for everyone. If you’re doing something that isn’t giving you the results you should reasonably be expecting, then try something else until you find what clicks.

Sharp Top Trail in Bedford County

With its impressive summit offering a 360-degree view of the region, Sharp Top Trail at Peaks of Otter is a bucket list hike for Central Virginia natives. Park at the Visitor Center to begin your journey.

Length:
1.5 miles

Difficulty:
Strenuous

Time:
Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzard’s Roost, which is a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area.

What to Pack: Water—none is available at the top. Professional camera—to capture amazing photos.

PHOTO BY TYLER STEPHENS

Get Moving! Area Races and Fitness Events

August 4, 2018
Be BOLD Trail 5K
Bold Rock Cidery, Nellysford
9 a.m.

August 11, 2018
Lynchburg Half Marathon and 5K
Percival’s Island, Lynchburg
7:30 a.m.

August 18, 2018
Face the Forest 5K
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
8 a.m.

August 24, 2018
Glow Ride
Percival’s Island, Lynchburg
8 – 9 p.m.
Bikers of all ages are welcome to decorate their bikes and wear bright colors for this group ride.

August 31-September 2, 2018
Love. Pets. Match. Tennis Tournament
Oakwood Country Club, Lynchburg
Starts 8 a.m. 8/31, ends 5 p.m. 9/2.
Learn more at lynchburghumane.org.

September 1, 2018
Roanoke River 8K
Roanoke River Greenway
Golden Park/Bennington St. Parking Lot
8 a.m.

September 28, 2018
The Amazing Mile Children’s Run
Amazement Square, Lynchburg
6 p.m.
Register at virginiatenmiler.com.

September 29, 2018
Genworth Virginia 10 Miler & 4 Miler Run/Walk
E.C. Glass High School, Lynchburg
8 a.m.
Register at virginiatenmiler.com.

November 3, 2018
CASA Superhero Run
Percival’s Island, Lynchburg
9 a.m.

November 22, 2018
Turkey Trot for HumanKind
E.C. Glass High School, Lynchburg
8 a.m.

November 17, 2018
Star City Half Marathon and 10K
O. Winston Link Museum, Roanoke
8 a.m.

Don’t Veg Out—Veg Up!

Our Lynchburg Living Taste contributor Mikael Blido shares three easy ways to add some fresh produce into your day.

Stir them into a soup for an effortless 15-minute meal. Mikael says anything goes—carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and potatoes (even canned or frozen options such as corn and peas).

“Just chop them up, add to some chicken broth and use salt/pepper to taste. For variety, add meats. Pull some meat off a rotisserie chicken or throw in some leftover barbecue beef,” he says.

Finish off with chopped herbs and homemade croutons (cubed bread with olive oil in a skillet and lots of salt and pepper.)

Roast them for a quick side dish that goes with anything. “Just roughly chop your vegetables (avoid leafy ones), drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake for 20 to 40 minutes and serve. Delicious!” says Mikael.

Mix them up in a milkshake you can enjoy any time of the day. “This is my favorite 30-second meal!” says Mikael. “It’s the easiest non-salad route to get leafy greens into your body.”

In a high-speed blender (he suggests a Vitamix), add milk, a few strawberries, half a banana, some ice and a splash of vanilla. Then add two large handfuls of organic salad mix and blend. Add sugar or Stevia to taste.

“You will not even taste the lettuce since the vanilla and strawberries mask their already mild flavor,” he says. “Even kids love it!”

Fresh from the Farm

From organic veggies to locally-raised beef, you can find the freshest, most high-quality ingredients at your local farmer’s market. Support local producers at these four locations:

APX Market
1848 Church St., Appomattox
Open May through October; reopens in December for a Holiday Market

Bedford Farmer’s Market
On corner of Washington and Center streets, Bedford
Open May through October
Visit on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., Fridays 7:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. and 1st Saturdays of the month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Forest Farmers Market
Forest Library, 15583 Forest Rd., Forest
Outdoor season: April – October on Saturdays
from 8 a.m. – noon
(Winter Market also offered at 1088 Rustic Village Rd., Forest)
www.forestfarmersmarket.com

Lynchburg Community Market
1219 Main St., Lynchburg
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
www.lynchburgcommunitymarket.com

Weight Loss Wisdom

Libi Prince, our Be Well Lynchburg “Inspire” profile who lost 150 pounds, shares a few of her eating tips.

• Plan out your meals—“Having a game plan helps you see the bigger picture of your day/week overall. This makes it easier to work in meals that are outside of your control (such as work luncheons.)”

• Keep protein-rich snacks on hand—“This will keep you fuller longer until your next meal.  My favorites are light string cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and almonds.”

• Look outside the box for food inspiration—“Some of my best meal/snack ideas came from following people on Instagram.”

Turmeric To-Go

Turmeric is an inflammation fighting spice that’s popping up everywhere right now. In Lynchburg, the Fresh Market carries these handy packets made by The Republic of Tea that can be easily and conveniently added to a 16.9 oz. bottle of water. The ingredients include turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper and monk fruit. Perfect for your purse, car, or pantry for a quick and healthy portable drink.

Smoothie Support>

The end result is nice—but does the laborious “smoothie prep” session keep you from enjoying a cold blend of fruits, veggies and other health-boosting ingredients?

Enter… Live Pure Smoothies—a supplier of complete, organic, plant-based, ready-to-blend frozen cubes that transform into thick, rich, luscious smoothies or smoothie bowls. And better yet, this company’s roots formed in Lynchburg.

Tiffany Tatom and Mary Cope (Tiffany still lives in the Hill City) were health coaches for 12 years and also had a corporate wellness company. During that venture they realized they “needed a product that tasted delicious, was super easy to make, took under one minute, required no thinking, would be enjoyed by all family members and never had food waste,” according to Tiffany.

Locally, Lynchburg’s MayLynn’s Creamery uses Live Pure products in their organic smoothie bowls. (And Consolidated Shoes orders smoothie cubes for their employees as part of a wellness plan.)

You can order some cubes for yourself to enjoy at home!
Visit livepure.love to learn more.

8 Popular Local Workouts to Keep You in Shape

HIIT Classes at the YMCA of Central Virginia
In case you aren’t familiar with the acronym, HIIT stands for “high-intensity interval training.” These workout sessions include quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by active recovery periods. The result is more fat burned in less time. Options at the Y include Spartacus, Tabata and CrossFit.
ymcacva.org

Burn Boot Camp
Each “camp” involves a 45-minute workout comprised of 72 different styles and 15 different formats, such as HIIT training, suspension training and more. Sessions at the 17860 Forest Road location are led by an accredited certified personal trainer who creates new, innovative programs daily.
burnbootcamp.com/locations/lynchburg-va

OOV Pilates Restore at Iron and Grace
The Oov is foam workout tool that complements the natural curve of the spine. By incorporating it with guided Pilates moves, you will elongate, strengthen and align your body like nothing you’ve ever experienced.
Ironandgraceva.com

Circuit Training at the Academy of Sports and Fitness
This untraditional gym setting features timed circuits that move you through a functional and dynamic workout. Circuit training sessions last 30 minutes and circuits change daily.
theacademysf.com

Hot Barre at Kratos Fitness
Their barre classes are a mix of Pilates, dance, yoga and functional training choreographed to motivating music. Try it “hot” (in a heated studio) for a deeper stretch and increased heart rate.
kratosfitnessstudio.com

Kickboxing at FEKS Martial Arts
This blend of intense exercises is designed for endurance, cardiovascular health, core development and more… all while learning self-defense skills that will make you feel more empowered. Beginners are welcome.
lynchburgkarate.com

Boot Camp at Crosswhite Fitness
Check all excuses at the door. These classes are an hour of high intensity circuits that include a variety of lifting weights/objects, TRX straps, body weight routines and more. Each one-hour class is a full body workout.
crosswhitefitness.com

Down Dog at the Water Dog
These fun, refreshing yoga sessions are hosted by Yoga Goodness Studio and are offered one Saturday each month at the Water Dog on Jefferson Street. One brew of your choice is included with your $12 admission.
yogagoodnesslynchburg.com

Recipe by Anne Leonard | Serves: 2

While many people use the grill solely for poultry and seafood, you can throw pretty much anything on there… including your appetizers. But just a warning—this summer snack is hearty and, for many, will eat like a full meal.

Of course, be sure to save room for something to sip. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc or any light, citrusy white wine of your choice pairs nicely with asparagus.
Enjoy!

Ingredients
8 asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed
A pint of baby Portobello mushrooms
4 slices of rustic bread
A few leaves of fresh basil

Basting Sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice from half a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Artichoke Spread
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 15-oz can of artichoke hearts, drained

Directions

Light grill and turn heat on low.

Mix together ingredients for basting sauce and brush on asparagus and mushrooms. Thread mushrooms on skewers.

Grill mushrooms for about 8 minutes total, turning skewers halfway through. The asparagus will need to be grilled for about 10 minutes. Just watch closely so they do not char too much. Once done grilling, slice asparagus spears into thirds (or to fit in rows on your bread) and slice mushrooms.

Toast 4 slices of bread.

Blend ingredients for artichoke spread until a creamy consistency is reached.

Chop basil leaves into ribbons: roll leaves tightly into a scroll and cut vertically so the basil becomes thin “ribbons.”

Assemble: spread artichoke spread on bread, align spears on bread, layer with mushrooms and top with basil ribbons.

Provider at Dermatology Consultants discusses the importance of regular skin exams

Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 people in the United States, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one American dies from skin cancer every hour. One of the most important ways to detect and treat skin cancer before it becomes deadly is to visit a dermatologist for a skin exam.

Skin cancers are an abnormal growth of skin cells, which are commonly caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. According to the EPA: “Both UVA and UVB rays can cause damage to your skin. Sunburn is a sign of short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are side effects of prolonged UV exposure.”

Although it’s not as common, skin cancers can also form from scars caused by burns or disease, occupational exposure to certain chemicals, and repeated X-ray exposure. People have a higher risk if they have a history of skin cancer, burn easily, have blond or red hair and have a history of excessive sun exposure, which includes being sunburned and using a tanning bed. Additionally, people who have or have had an immune system-suppressing disease, are also at a higher risk.

Kappa M. Peddy, M.D., a provider at Dermatology Consultants for 18 years, recommends an annual skin exam as a method of skin cancer prevention and says these can either be full body or partial.

“Typically, an exam will include a review of your family history of skin cancer and any areas of concern. You can expect to get fully or partially undressed to allow for a thorough examination from head-to-toe. For females, it’s best to wear no make-up, nail polish and have hair down,” she says.

Peddy says the visit does not typically take more than 10 to 20 minutes. If something suspicious is discovered, they will most likely take a biopsy to help diagnose the skin condition.

“Skin exams are important because early detection of skin cancer provides the greatest chance of successful skin cancer treatment,” she says. “Skin cancer is most treatable when discovered early.”

Dermatology Consultants offers a variety of skin cancer services from prevention, to diagnosis and treatment.

“The dermatologists at Dermatology Consultants have a combined 150 years of dermatology experience, unmatched by any other local dermatology practice,” says Peddy. “We are patient-centered, … quality, and offer comprehensive dermatology services that include everything from general and medical dermatology to specialized skin cancer surgery.”

Other ways to prevent skin cancer include avoiding sun exposure at peak times (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), avoiding tanning beds, covering up with clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses when outside, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (re-apply every one-and-a-half to two hours).

Despite skin cancer being the most common type of cancer in the U.S., that doesn’t mean you should always stay indoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can stimulate production of vitamin D in the skin. Having little or no sun exposure may put a person at risk for low levels of vitamin D, but too much UV exposure from the sun or artificial sources can increase risk of skin cancers and eye disease.”

The key is to find the right balance—we need the sun, but we need to protect ourselves at the same time. The most important aspect of prevention is finding the skin cancer early, meaning it is crucial to contact your dermatologist immediately if you notice anything suspicious on your skin or think you might have skin cancer.

“If left untreated, skin cancers can continue to grow and lead to disfigurement, loss of function and/or become life threatening,” says Peddy.

Dermatology Consultants is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They can be contacted by phone at 434-847-6132 or by email: info@lynchburgdermatology.com. Learn more about Dermatology Consultants online at LynchburgDermatology.com.

You don’t have to step inside the doors of an art gallery or museum to view a local artist’s most recent work. Bobby Fuller (aka Bartertown Bobby or Bobby Nowhere) is the person behind the recent creative displays that have been popping up in the downtown area. You may remember Bobby as the Artist Profile in our January/February 2017 issue of Lynchburg Living. He is most well known for his sculptures made from recycled materials.

While it looks like graffiti, the displays are actually temporary. They are made out of large pieces of paper that are pasted to the wall.

As Interest in Downtown Life Grows, a Local Family is Providing the Historic Homes

From HGTV to the “swipe left” feature on Instagram, American culture is more preoccupied than ever before with all things “home renovation.” Indeed, few pleasures are more enjoyable than viewing the dingy “Before” photos of a hapless property, only to then compare them to the glorious “After” images. Lynchburg, with seven substantial historic districts and low cost of living, is the perfect incubator for this phenomenon, and home renovation projects continue to pop up all over the city.

Many locals have turned this trend into a dedicated pursuit, such as Victoria Bartholomew, a real estate agent who rehabilitates rundown properties in Downtown Lynchburg’s historic neighborhoods along with her husband Damien and her dad Dan Hague. Together, the three of them comprise Rise Up Properties, which renovates historic homes and downtown spaces.

Before the “After” Photos

Victoria, like many young professionals, wears a lot of hats; Damien does as well being the owner and operator of Rise Up Climbing on Church Street. And while they enjoy the renovation process, it’s labor intensive and decidedly unglamorous. [Case in point: Damien’s job was to mow the lawn in the midday heat while this interview and photos were taking place.]

Victoria herself is no stranger to the nitty-gritty work that goes on behind the scenes. She recalls using her “16-year-old twiggy arms” to help her dad run wire for his historic home years ago on Washington Street.

Flash forward to fall of 2017, and Victoria and her dad are still working on properties together with Damien joining in about eight years ago. Together, they purchased five properties in Daniel’s Hill, the district that boasts views of the James River with Point of Honor at its southern border. Four homes are on Cabell Street with one on F Street. The plan is to “renovate and resell” them, a distinction Bartholomew makes because “they aren’t ‘flips’ with new paint and flooring.” Instead, they “take it all down to the studs.”

“We Gutted Everything”

A few days before the initial Open House for 129 Cabell Street, the first home of five to be renovated, Victoria is giving us a tour in mid-May.

“This house was very dark because that window was the only window in the dining room,” she says, pointing. “So there was a wall here, there was a wall here—this was a cave in here. So, it was like… Okay! That’s not going to work. And then all the ceilings were dropped, so we had to pull all that stuff down…”

Victoria speaks quietly but quickly, describing all of the changes with sweeping and dismissive gestures. “Obviously,” she concludes, “we gutted everything.”

And that’s not an exaggeration. What sounds daunting to most is par for the course here, and it’s exactly what they love to do. Victoria, Damien, and Hague do the majority of the work on their numerous projects—“You can catch us down here on Cabell Street almost any morning of the week working away,” she says. Collectively, they determined what needed to be done and how they wanted to do it; when certain elements demanded a highly specialized skill, they hired out as needed.

“I am the design leader on the project,” Victoria says. “My dad focuses on the construction plan for the project, and Damien is the one that keeps us in check and also ends up doing a lot of the physical labor (I call him the Light Fixture King). We do all the work on the house and act as general contractor on our own projects.”

Perhaps the most critical decision with 129 Cabell revolved around the existing layout and improving the flow from the living room to the kitchen and dining rooms. This was where Victoria’s “wall here, wall there,” description was given, and seeing the openness and light-filled rooms today makes it hard to imagine the original “cave” she describes.

Yet, Victoria thrives in that in-between of the “Before” and “After,” knowing it’s atypical: “People have a hard time visualizing it,” she says, adding that if they show an unfinished project to prospective buyers, they’re unlikely to come back. That’s okay, because to Victoria “half the fun is picking the finishes and fixtures; I enjoy it.”

After removing some walls, improving the flow and reconfiguring the kitchen, they also had to tackle some major “functional elements” such as all new wiring, plumbing, HVAC and insulation.

“We have to save the historic character but also update it to a standard we would all want to live in today,” Victoria explains.

Renovating essentially boils down to finding a way to merge these modern amenities with the character and unique elements of a home’s original style. In 129 Cabell, the real character exudes from the exposed chimney that runs through the center of the home, providing a stunning focal point while also delineating the front living room from the dining area.

“We are big fans of new wiring, adding air conditioning, insulating walls, but you better believe I love old windows, original wood floors and any type of wood work,” says Victoria. “We will go to really great lengths to save those.”

Other unique elements they preserved include the original claw foot tub in an upstairs bathroom, the fireplace mantel, the detailed scrolling and paneling woodwork on the staircase, which they painted, and the original windows, which they cleaned up.

As a real estate agent, Victoria knows today’s buyers and the amenities they prioritize. So, 129 Cabell Street was updated to include an en suite with a tiled, walk-in shower, a true rarity in historic homes. Victoria also worked in open shelving and exposed brick for the kitchen to stay on trend. And one of her favorite elements is choosing the distinctive light fixtures—especially ones that will make a strong statement.

A Love for Historic Homes

So, considering the intense labor involved, why historic homes in Lynchburg? For one, Victoria has lived here since she was eight years old, saying, “My family is here because of old houses. I believe the ‘youngest’ house I’ve ever lived in was [from] 1921, and so it’s a family thing—it’s in my blood.” She studied Architecture and Urban Planning at Virginia Tech, an experience that “provided extremely useful lessons in community development and working within existing constraints to plan for the future.” Upon graduating, Victoria saw more historic homes per capita in Lynchburg than in most other cities; with so much selection in style, size, and age, she saw an opportunity.

“With historic homes, there is no one exactly alike,” she says. “Walking into every historic home I’ve ever been into really keeps me hooked; there are so many possibilities and often so much potential.”

In recent years, she has become increasingly devoted to the downtown sector, volunteering with various organizations and focusing on renovating several homes. Now, she says, “We are certainly seeing an increased draw to those areas. People want to walk downtown, live in diverse communities, not live in a ‘cookie cutter house,’… and be surrounded by beauty—the historic districts offer all of this currently at a lower price than many other parts of the city.”

She says renovating historic homes is “genuinely a passion project,” adding, “I had many clients looking for this type of house, which is why we decided to renovate and resell, because we knew there were buyers and had nothing to show them. What a great thing to be able to renovate a vacant long-dilapidated house and turn it back into a contributing structure!”

For now, they’re certainly doing their part—129 Cabell is officially on the market, and Rise Up Properties is already fast at work on 117 and 119 Cabell, the next two homes in queue.

So You Want a Fixer-Upper?

Pros:
• Initial purchase costs will be lower on a home that needs work done
• You control final colors, fixtures, and changes to meet your preference

Cons:
• Most projects will take a large amount of time and cash (versus a turnkey property purchased with a conventional loan)
• Historic homes require city approval of exterior changes
• Unforeseen problems typically arise that may stall progress
• Managing the timetable can be tricky (electrical before drywall, etc.)

Victoria’s Caution:
“It takes a lot of work and money, and you have to love it.”