INSIDE

MUSICALLY SPEAKING: Al B. Sure returns 3E

THE DOCTOR IS IN: Debunking diet myths 4E
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: Get mosquitoes before they get you 5E
DOLLARWISE: Stretch your restaurant meals 12E

The Dallas Morning News Arts, Entertainment & Life Section E Tuesday, June 23, 2009

HEALTHY LIVING BOOKS

Beowulf Sheehan

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will

appear at the DMA tonight.

Author’s
writing
does her
Jeremy Tyra and Melissa Truly work out at Fit214. Communication and cooperation are essential when couples train together.
ELIZABETH M. CLAFFEY/Special Contributor
talking
Adichie

Couples therapy uncomfortable in

role as face of
African literature
By EDWARD NAWOTKA
Exercising together can be a kick, but watch your step Special Contributor
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
has, perhaps reluctantly, become
By CHRISTY ROBINSON Gonzales, a personal trainer and the new global face of African
Special Contributor
weight-loss expert in Kennedale, agrees. literature.

M
ary Ellen Hicks gets irritated when her husband, David, He said it’s rare for couples to come to him “I’m not interested in being a
together “simply because the husbands spokesperson or in being anything
cheats a little to keep up with her during their runs. can’t handle it. Men, most of the time, are more than a writer,” she says by
J.D. Gonzales knows a whole lot more about fitness too prideful and too much of a know-it-all,” phone from Toronto, where she is
he said. on a book tour that will bring her to
than his wife, Jennifer.
Another frequent problem, Lord said, is the Dallas Museum of Art tonight
Jeremy Tyra’s schedule clashes with fiancée Melissa Truly’s. that the partner who has the most fitness as part of Arts & Letters Live. “The
experience will often take on the role as most important thing is that I have
What do these couples have in common? They’ve overcome the barriers
trainer. a readership.”
and annoyances of exercising with their significant other. “It shouldn’t be a deal where the guy It’s a readership that’s growing
becomes the trainer, or if the girl has more larger every year.
Working out as a couple can help keep outperform them, said Rob Lord, owner of experience, she’s the trainer,” he said. The 32-year-old Nigerian
bodies and relationships healthy. But lack Fit214, a small-group personal training “There will be conflict.” author grew up in the former house
of communication, personal baggage and studio in Uptown. He’s seen some men try Even when one partner is qualified to of the famous author Chinua
tired gender stereotypes get in the way. to fudge a bit. “Guys have such a big ego. It lead the other, it’s still not a good idea. Achebe (the renowned 1958 novel
For men, it can be a real challenge to can be a very humbling experience for some Things Fall Apart) on the grounds
work out with a partner who can men.” See COUPLES Page 12E of the University of Nigeria in
Nsukka, where her parents were
professors. Her first book, 2003’s
Purple Hibiscus, tells the story of a
15-year old Nigerian girl growing
POP MUSIC up in a wealthy, hypocritical
household run by a tyrant, and who

G.J. McCARTHY/Staff Photographer
Aussie Michael Johns calls Fort
Worth, where his in-laws live, “my
family home in America.”
No idle time for ‘Idol’ alum later escapes to a better life with
her aunt. It immediately put her on
the literary map. But it was 2006’s
Half of a Yellow Sun, an astounding
With new album, Season 7’s Michael Johns is where he wants to be historical epic about the bloody
1967 Nigerian-Biafran civil war,
By DARLA ATLAS debut album, Hold Back My time there’s a big meal: that made her reputation, winning
Special Contributor
Heart, which is out today. Thanksgiving, Christmas, her both the Orange Prize for
As soon as American Idol’s “I really had a vision for what anniversaries, birthdays,” he says. Fiction in the United Kingdom and
seventh season ended, Michael this record was going to be — a Joe “My mother-in-law is one of the a $500,000 MacArthur genius
Johns got to work. Quickly. Cocker meets Otis Redding kind of greatest cooks around.” grant in the United States.
“Once you’re on Idol, you’d thing,” says Johns, who wrote Stacey, an interior designer, met Her visit coincides with the
better know who you are and what seven of the 12 tracks. “On the Johns one day as they waited for a publication of The Thing Around
you want to do,” says the Aussie, show, I got most of my reactions valet in Hollywood. Your Neck, a collection of short
who finished eighth. “Otherwise, when I sang the soul stuff, so I “We started talking, and she stories.
you get stuck in limbo writing want to give the ladies what they was feisty,” he recalls. “I was feisty, Adichie says she doesn’t plan
[songs] with 50 million people, like.” so I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve got to hang ahead what to speak about.
and all of the sudden two years Johns calls Fort Worth “my out with this girl for a little while “Perhaps I’ll read a story,” she says.
have gone by. Once you get off that family home in America,” because longer.’ ” The dozen stories in The Thing
show, every month the light gets a his in-laws live in the city. He and They wed at the Little White Around Your Neck span a decade of
little dimmer.” his wife, Stacey, are now based in
His work has paid off with a Los Angeles, “but we’re here every See JOHNS Page 3E See ADICHIE Page 3E

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12E Tuesday, June 23, 2009 _ HEALTHY LIVING GuideLive.com The Dallas Morning News

Couples therapy DOLLARWISE: RESTAURANTS

Continued from Page 1E

Gonzales said he initially set his
Ellen said. “You scale your ability.”
During a recent workout on the
Use doggie bags to stretch
expectations too high for his workouts
with his wife. Once he began viewing
her as an exercise partner and not a
client, he said, “we actually have been
studio’s outdoor patio, which is just
eight yards from the Katy Trail, Tyra
and Truly completed ring push-ups
together. However, the intensity
your food budget
working out well together.” suited each at his or her own level, By MARY JACOBS
Special Contributor
Lord also said some women need because they were working against

A
to watch out for tendencies that can their own body weights. my and John Forbus of
sabotage a routine, such as giggling Gonzales prescribes workouts Carrollton celebrate
when the workouts get intense. differently for couples. their anniversary every
“There’s a dynamic where the “Men want something that’s tough year with the same ritual. They
woman will get embarrassed, like, ‘I and makes them feel like they’re a go to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
don’t want to have my boyfriend see man. Women don’t want to feel like and each orders a steak. When
me straining,’ ” he said. they’re doing anything crazy,” said the steaks arrive, they cut them
Hicks, a marathon runner who’s in Gonzales, who creates two different in half right away. They enjoy
her 50s, doesn’t have that problem. “If strength plans of action for couples. one half for dinner, and the
you give me a challenge, I’m going to Gonzales said the main key to other half goes straight to the
try to do it and do my best,” she said. success is to communicate fitness doggie bag. The leftovers turn up
Her husband’s attitude was an goals. in breakfast (steak and eggs) or
issue, though. She said she called him “Let’s say my wife can run longer lunch (steak sandwiches) the
a jerk when he tried to cheat during and faster than I can. Do I want to let next day.
one of their workout sprints on the my wife run ahead of me and train as “This way, we get to celebrate
trail. hard as she can? Or does she want to our anniversary with two meals,
“His attitude is like, ‘I’m not taking stick with me and encourage me to and we don’t overindulge,” said
it seriously. I’m just going to be the press on?” he said. “Have a good Amy.
clown.’ That annoys me,” she said. emotional line of communication The Forbuses are employing
“He tries to egg me on, like, ‘Oh, I’m where you can say, ‘OK, this is where “doggie-bag economics,” a din-
just trying to make you run harder. If I’m at today. I really need your help.’ ing-out strategy that’s good for
you get angry, you’ll be a little a more Me and my wife, we’ve had to learn both your budget and your
competitive.’ ” that.” health.
Even couples who occasionally Doggie-bagging “is not only a
spat about their workout routine can great way to save money, but also
Working it out benefit from the quality time, the secret to eating out without
Restaurant: Romano’s Macaroni Grill
How can couples who want to goal-setting and shared common overeating,” said Annette Hud- Menu item: Chef’s Trio with salad, dessert and lasagna — $11.99
work out together make it work? interest that working out together son, a personal trainer and Leftover strategy: Eat the salad and about one-third of the lasagna. Share
Fit214’s program for the Hickses, provides. owner of MyFitnessTrainer.com. the dessert. Reheat leftovers for one or two nice lunches.
as well as for engaged couple Tyra and “It’s a nice walk afterwards, and Many restaurants have su- Per-meal price: $4 plus tip
Truly of Dallas, both 27, intersperses we’re all ‘endorphinated’ together,” persized their portions over the The wrap: foil tin with cardboard lid, in a plastic bag, tied for easy carrying
weights with running. They can work Mary Ellen said of the Hickses’ walk last 10 to 20 years, and some Bonus: reheating instructions right there on the lid
out with each other in the same group back home to Victory Park. “We go restaurants serve much more
while working on their own personal over things you’d normally have to than most people need or want,
level. make time to talk about.” said Jamie Pope, an instructor in
With the barbell lunges they do Christy Robinson is a freelance nutrition at Vanderbilt Universi-
outside the studio, David’s “is heavier, writer in Dallas. She runs with her ty School of Nursing. A few
which is fine. But we’re doing the husband, Brian Peters. chains have even tried smaller
same thing together, even though it’s portions, she notes, only to get
at a different level of weight,” Mary healthyliving@dallasnews.com push-back from their customers.
Take Macaroni Grill’s Primo
Chicken Parmesan: A dinner
portion will cost you 1,510 calo-
GETTING FIT TOGETHER ries. If you’re an average person
Ready to work out with your significant other? Here’s advice from trainers on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet,
and others: Pope says, 500 calories is about
right for a dinner entree. Do the
DO DON’T math.
“Most restaurant meals
■ Join a gym together if you’re on different ■ Let different levels of
would feed us for two to three
fitness levels. Both of you can run or walk fitness keep you from
together but at different speeds. working out together. meals,” she says.
■ Agree on a fitness plan and the goal of each ■ Try to be your And many restaurants have
workout so you’re on the same page and partner’s personal embraced doggie-bagging.
tension doesn’t simmer. trainer. Many will wrap your leftovers,
■ Communicate to each other what you need ■ Let gender stereotypes tableside, with a bit of flair. It’s
from the other before each particular workout. inhibit or intimidate you. almost an insult to refuse.
■ Try to make it fun; make it an adventure as ■ Be afraid to push each So, be cheap and be smart.
opposed to a chore. If it’s work, you’re going to other and encourage Here are a few of our favorite
be irritated. each other.
doggie-bag strategies.
■ Eat right, too. Make healthy recipes you both ■ Get offended when
like. Share entrees when you go out to eat. your partner
■ Be each other’s accountability partner. communicates what he
Mary Jacobs is a Dallas
Striving to get fit together is easier than going or she needs from you freelance writer.
alone. during a workout.
healthyliving@dallasnews.com Restaurant: Pei Wei
Menu item: Chicken Fried Rice, with choice of meat — $6.75
Leftover strategy: Pei Wei’s Web site says one order has two servings —
525 calories each. But every time I’ve ordered, it’s a mountain of food,
60 DAY GUT-BUSTER LOSE THAT GUT
in our boot camp style
easily stretched to four meals.
The wrap: Pei Wei nixed the traditional Chinese takeout boxes for plastic
BOOT CAMP for only $66 workout program
IN PRIVATE. boxes. They aren’t as cool, but they do keep the food fresh longer.
Buy online at: www.privateworkout.com Per-meal price: $1.69
Plano • 972.398.2827 • 2412 Preston Rd. @ Park Blvd.
A 30 minute weight/cardio circuit program designed by Cooper Institute Las Colinas • 972.870.0123 • 4835 N. O’Connor @114 Bonus: You can opt for brown rice instead of white.
Certified Personal Trainers to exceed the results achieved by a typical 90 Dallas • 214.515.5517 • 5400 E. Mockingbird Ln. @ 75
Our scales accurate to 440 lbs. minute workout or with a personal trainer, and it’s done in PRIVATE. Flower Mound • 972.355.4795 • 1221 Flower Mound Rd. @ Morris

Restaurant: Cheesecake
Factory
call now and start Menu item: Santa Fe Salad —
$11.99

being thinner Leftover strategy: Eat half the

salad for dinner; the other half is
tomorrow’s lunch.

tomorrow!! The wrap: plastic box with a lid

Per-meal price: $6
Before Slim4Life I felt fat, ugly and depressed. Now, after Bonus: salad surprisingly
crunchy and tasty the next day
losing 50 pounds, I feel attractive, skinny and
accomplished. My friends call me Skinny Minnie Restaurant: Corner Bakery
Menu item: Salad trio with D.C.
and my husband says I look awesome, sexy and very Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad and
beautiful. I am really loving myself again; you can Seasonal Fruit Medley — $7.99
Leftover strategy: Eat the
too!! Join Slim4Life today and begin being chicken and fruit salad for
thinner tomorrow!! lunch. Take the tuna salad
home, slap it on a slice of bread
– Wanda Chormicle for tomorrow’s lunch
Fort Worth, TX AFTER ~ Per-meal price: $4
SIZE 8 Bonus: Both meals about 300
calories
SlimDFW.com
LOSE 3 to 5 POUNDS Restaurant: Spring Creek
PER WEEK! Barbeque
Menu item: Combo dinner, two
meats, two sides, rolls — $8.99
• Doctor Recommended Leftover strategy: Eat the
Now • Guaranteed Results - Easy to Follow sides, rolls and one meat for

$6 Per Week!* • Personal One-to-One Counseling

dinner. Ask for an extra roll to
take home, and there’s your
Program Service Fee • No Hunger - Real Food - Fast Results sandwich.
Per-meal price: $4.50
• No Exercise Required Bonus: Strategy works at any
number of barbecue joints.
BEFORE ~ • Individualized Programs
SIZE 16 • Men, Women, Children Restaurant: California Pizza
Kitchen
Arlington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-468-4048 Menu item: Original BBQ
Fort Worth/City View . . . . . . . . 817-294-8884 Chicken Pizza — $12.99
Lake Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-237-4862 Leftover strategy: six slices —
Lewisville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214-488-7700 two for now, four to take home
for two more meals
N. Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972-930-9755
Per-meal price: $4.50
Southlake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-310-3455
CALL TODAY FOR FREE CONSULTATION The wrap: Yellow-and-white
Mesquite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972-270-0511 pizza box
FRISCO OPENING SOON!! *On Program basis. Exclusive of products.

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