Navigating wellness: The power of primary care support
Presented by Watson Clinic
Whether you’re due for a wellness check or need care for a specific concern, Watson Clinic has you covered. | Photo provided by Watson Clinic
Prioritizing health isn’t just a resolution — it’s a lifelong journey. Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds, boost your energy, or simply feel your best, having a trusted healthcare provider can make all the difference.
The Watson Clinic Health Talk podcast features expert advice on a variety of topics.
Photo provided by Watson Clinic
“We really have to individualize it,” says Dr. Katzmann, a board-certified Family Medicine specialist during a recent episode of the Watson Clinic Health Talk podcast. “The advice I have for you may be different than the advice I have for the next patient.”
That’s why Watson Clinic’s primary care providers take a personalized approach, helping patients set realistic goals and create actionable health plans tailored to their needs.
For those focusing on weight loss, Dr. Katzmann often recommends:
Tracking your nutrition for success
Using a food tracking app can provide a clearer picture of calorie consumption and nutritional patterns. After several weeks, patients and their doctors can review the data to make informed adjustments. Blood tests can further help identify nutritional deficiencies, ensuring a well-rounded approach to overall health.
Finding the right fitness routine
Exercise is another key component. Depending on factors like age, physical limitations, and fitness goals, Dr. Katzmann typically advises 30 to 50 minutes of physical activity three to five times a week. Whether it’s walking, weightlifting, or strength training, the goal is to build a sustainable routine that keeps you moving.
Preventive care for long-term wellness
Beyond fitness and nutrition, Watson Clinic’s primary care team is dedicated to preventive care. Regular screenings for conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and cancer can catch potential health concerns early, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Dr. Katzmann sees patients at Watson Clinic Highlands in south Lakeland. Watson Clinic offers 60+ dedicated primary care providers who accept appointments from six convenient locations. To schedule an appointment, call (863) 680-7190.
Board Game Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | HP Guild Games | Free | Borrow a game from the game library to play with others, or BYOB — bring your own board (game).
Trivia Night | 6-8 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free+ | Put your knowledge to the test while enjoying Happy Hour deals at the Rooftop Bar.
Line Dancing in the Backyard | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free | These boots were made for dancing — two-step over to this winery for lessons under the stars.
Friday, Feb. 28
Coffee Crawl Week | Friday, Feb. 28-Saturday, March 1 | Locations vary, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | You’ve got two days left to celebrate Winter Haven’s coffee scene by stopping by a participating shop + asking for the “Coffee Crawl Special.”
Friday Night Fish Fry | 4-7 p.m. | Herman Jenkins American Legion Post 4 | $13+ | There’s nothing fishy about this deal — stop by the Legion for a fried fish dinner complete with coleslaw + French fries (or a baked potato if that’s how you roll).
Saturday, March 1
CYCLEdelic Grand Reopening | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | CYCLEdelic | Free+ | Spin your way to this indoor cycling studio to meet the new owner and snag deals on class packages.
Dixieland Mid-Day Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Shop the goods of local makers outside before heading inside for the Indie Super Bash.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
Local job boards are a total game-changer — for both job seekers and businesses. Instead of sifting through endless listings, they focus on quality over quantity, connecting employers with candidates who actually want to work in the area. That means fewer relocation headaches and better retention.
For big and small businesses, it’s a smart way to connect with candidates who understand the local community and culture. Plus, hiring locally usually means a faster, smoother hiring process. Whether you’re looking for a job or trying to fill one, LALtoday Job Board keeps things simple, practical, and close to home.
No. 57. That’s where Polk County ranked for overall child welfare according to the state’s 2025 Child Well-Being Index. While Polk’s overall ranking is lower than years prior, the index showed the county improved in several individual areas like children’s poverty rate and teen drug use. (The Ledger)
Opening
Arrow + Bow, a consignment boutique focused on children’s clothing, is holding a grand opening this Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Located in Dixieland near Concord Coffee, the shop will have its own inventory of clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as permanent vendors like Cap and Cole.
Coming Soon
If a trip to the farmers market isn’t complete without lumpia from Pinoy Cravings, you’re going to love this news. Tilaw, a new Filipino and Asian-fusion concept from Pinoy Cravings’ chefs, will launch as one of the first vendors in Mulberry’s Depot 303 food hall. An opening date is TBD.
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There’s a new school on the block. Meet Inspire Academy, located in the Paul A. Diggs neighborhood. Founded by Francis Hadley, a former PCPS finance secretary, the school will serve ~80 elementary and middle school students with a Cambridge + STEM-based curriculum. (Polk Sun)
Award
Chef Jon Burns of Tantrums Flightside Cafe in Bartow made history this week as the first competitor in Top Chef of Polk County history to sweep all three culinary awards. The dish that snagged him the victories? His signature gator bites. We’ll take 10, please and thank you.
Real Estate
The data is in. Single-family home sales in the Lakeland-Winter Haven area decreased nearly 17% in January compared to last year according to Florida Realtors. The data also showed a median sales price of $325,450 for the month, a 1.7% decrease from January last year.
Community
Join the NAACP Lakeland Branch tonight at 6:30 p.m. for a Black History Month Celebration at the Coleman-Bush building. Attendees can expect to learn from educational presentations, as well as be moved by poetry recitations from both children + adults. Admission is free. (LkldNow)
Kids
Calling all parents — there are only 18 days until spring break. Looking for something to keep your kiddos busy during the week off? Art Centric Studio is hosting a new art camp focused on kite building for children ages 5-12. Time to turn up that “Mary Poppins” soundtrack.
Feel Good
James “Lone Star” Camp is more than an artist known for his western-inspired artwork — he’s a beloved member of the Bartow community. Earlier this month, city commissioners honored Camp for his community contributions with the Black History Month Champion Award. Watch his full interview with Bay News 9.
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$2,101. That’s the record-breaking price that car insurance premiums are projected to reach in 2025. Read: It’s more important than ever to make sure you’re not overpaying. Review Money’s best car insurance list to see if you could save (maybe up to $1,300 a year).*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases, helping you save even more while you pay down your debt.*
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$5,000. That’s how much we’re looking to raise to support our staff and mission here at LALtoday — and our fundraising ends tomorrow. If you love the free community resource you’re reading right now (we sure do), support us today with a one-time donation. See how close we are to our goal.
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☀️ RISE and shine
Concepts of the classroom come to life in the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian School — occasionally in the form of iced vanilla caramel lattes. | Photo by LALtoday
While it might be the norm for middle and high schoolers to hang out in courtyards and cafeterias between classes, you’ll find students at Lakeland Christian School in the campus coffee shop — and they’re not just sipping on drinks, they’re making them.
The coffee shop, also known as Restore, is part of the school’s RISE Institute, which stands for Research, Innovation, STEM Learning + Entrepreneurship.
The experiential learning program allows students to take electives in everything from entrepreneurial leadership to robotics, then apply them by joining school-based competition teams or creating products to sell to fellow students and staff.
“Our goal is to teach kids agency,” said Jenna O’Brien, the institute’s Director of Entrepreneurship. “Teaching them that they have the ability to do hard things and solve problems all on their own.”
Keep reading to learn more about the institute’s curriculum and how community members can get in on the fun.
Your two new best friends to speed up blow drys: a really good hairbrush and Kenra Platinum’s time-saving blow dry spray. The Wet Brush hairbrush features a vented design for faster airflow plus heat-resistant bristles, while the 4.7-star rated Kenra spray detangles, smooths, and decreases blow-dry time by 50%.
Last week, we quizzed you on which MLB team previously called Lakeland its Spring Training home before the Detroit Tigers, and 53% of respondents scored a home run with the correct answer: the Cleveland Indians. The team (now known as the Cleveland Guardians) trained at Lakeland’s Henley Field from 1923 to 1927 before parting ways. When one door closes, another one opens.
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