The Obesity Numbers are Still Bad!

According to an article I read a couple of days ago in The Journal, America is still obese and the numbers do not look too encouraging.  It said that in 1995 no state had an obesity rate over 20%.  But 15 years later, only one state has an obesity rate of less than 20%.  What has happened?

Life in the US happened.  Schools cut down on Phys.Ed. time for kids.  Kids sitting around playing video games.  People spending more and more time on the internet.  Fewer people cooking meals at home.  More people eating out at restaurants.  Restaurants making portions larger.

Obesity is a major contributing factor in diabetes, heart disease and many other ailments.  Quite a few people who are obese, do not know they are.  Quite a few more know they are obese, but either do not have the time, energy or knowledge to do something about it.  I am willing to help people get fit. 

My philosophy on fitness/weight-loss is simple.  Eat smaller portions of better food and move more than you are moving now.

If you need help in losing weight or getting fitter, maybe I can help.  I will work with you to create fitness goals, design a plan to help meet those goals, and help you stay on track.

Let me know if you are interested.  Either email me or leave a comment.

Training Progress

Since I entered the Army Ten Miler, I have been training.  I am slowly building up a base of training miles.  Right now I am up to about 10 to 12 miles a week.  I am not worrying much about how fast I am running them at this point.  I go more by how the pace feels.  If I feel I am going to fast, I slow down a little, if I feel I am going to slow, I speed up.

I don't want to push myself at this point into going to fast or too far.  That would lead to injury, and I can not afford to have an injury and miss this race.

I will have some specifics about what I am doing soon. 



If you are wanting to start a fitness, walking or running program, let me know if I can help.  Remember, starting out gradually is the key.

Army Ten Miler

Yep, I signed up for the 2010 Army Ten Miler.  I must be crazy.  But I did sign up.  One of my buddies (Joe Harris) asked if I wanted to run it with him.  Now all I have to do is train up for it.  Fortunately I have six months to do it. 

I was just amazed I was able to sign up.  There were 30000 entrants.  And when I went to sign up online 19000 people had already signed up.  For any of you who did not get to sign up because I did, I am sorry. 

I have already got in about two and a half weeks of training.  And this is starting from zero.  So far my longest run is about 3 miles at a 10 minute pace.  I figure I don't have to get too much faster, I just need to extend the distance.

If there is anyone out there who would like to start running, let me know.  I would me more than willing to help.

Childhood Obesity continues...

I think the last line of this article says most of it: 

They also found that physical activity and physical fitness have declined significantly.

Children need physical education at school since they are not getting much at home.  Kids need a properly fueled and fit body to do well in school.  And yet they take phys ed down to a bare minimum and then wonder why test scores decline.

Do your kids a favor.  If the weather permits, go out to the park, or just out in the yard and play with them.  It will make them happier and healthier and possibly smarter.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2010!

If your resolution includes losing weight and getting in shape, maybe I can help. I have taken off 35 pounds and kept it off for 7 years now.

No pills, No diets, No strenuous exercise! And for the time being -- it's free! If you want to learn more, leave me a comment or send me a email.

I will be glad to help you reach your goals.

A Word of Caution

Do not attempt to do what I did last Saturday. I ran in a 5K without training for it. And boy my legs were sore for a couple of days. I knew it was going to happen. I just wanted to see where my fitness level was.

I recommend starting out slowly and easily. Start out by walking. Walk only as far as you can comfortably walk. Do this 3 or 4 times a week. Gradually lengthen the distance or time you walk. Once you have a comfortable routine, either speed up your pace or take running breaks in your walk.

Gradually and with little effort, you can get fit and feel better.

If you would like to start a walking or running program, please contact me and I will guide you through it.

5K Completed

It was foggy, relatively cool in Harrisville, West Virginia this morning. I got up, got dressed, walked to the registration table and put my 12 dollars down along with my registration form.

My shoulder still hurts. There are a lot of younger, fitter runners here. Heck, there are a lot of older fitter runners here. My shoulder hurts more. What am I doing here?

The race event staff is good, and friendly. Every question I have is answered. I warm up a little. I go to the bathroom. No port-a-potties here, we get to use real bathrooms in the basement of the Ritchie County Courthouse.

At 7:50, there is a brief welcoming announcement. Most of the people in Harrisville are still asleep. Then it is a half a block walk to the starting line.

The horn goes off, and I am dodging walkers and slower (yes there were some of those) runners up to the first turn.

I settle in to a nice, slow pace. At about 3/4 of a mile, I look over at a yard on my right and there is a turtle on it's back. I figure since I am not blazing the course, I need to help the turtle. I stop, walk two steps into the yard, gently flip the turtle right side up and continue.

At each of the three waterstops, I walk, drink, and thank the volunteers.

By the third mile we are back to Main Street. My legs are more rubbery than I remember them getting. My breathing is loud - at least to me. But there is a smile on my face. I have nothing left for a kick, and I don't care that I get passed in the last hundred yards. I did it!

Yes, my calves are stiff. Yes, my right hip aches a little. But it was worth it. Hey, I even won a door prize. So with the T-shirt, and the door prize, I actually came out ahead. And I feel better.

If I find the race results, I will either post them or put up a link.

My Last Minute Fitness Opportunity

I thought I was going to have a quiet weekend at the In-Laws house. But driving through the middle of Harrisville, West Virginia, there is a banner over the road. It is for the Ritchie County Primary Care Association 5K Health Walk/Run on Saturday, August 1st. Eek, that is tomorrow.

I haven't run too much lately. I have a swollen area around one of the nerves on the 4th toe on my left foot. I strained my shoulder two weeks ago. There are many reasons not to do the race. But there is only one reason to run it. I want to.

Hey, there is no pressure. I haven't trained months for this race. And it says WALK/RUN, so I don't even have to run if I don't want to.

I will have to get myself up in the morning, and walk to the starting area. This is way too convenient. I don't even have to wake anyone up here to do it. Who knows, when I get back I may still be the only one awake.

Wish me luck. When I survive, I will let you know (tomorrow sometime).

Consistency Is The Key

Consistency is the key to any fitness, weight-loss, or wellness program. You can't run 5 miles in one day, then not run for a month and expect to gain any of the benefits of the activity. Likewise you can't expect to lose weight if you are constantly "cheating" on a diet.

Again the key is consistency. If you are getting at least a half hour or more of physical activity a week great! If you miss one or two days, it isn't the end of the world. Just get back on track as soon as you can.

Likewise, with any changes you have made in your diet, if you stray, it isn't the end of the world. Just get back to what you were doing. You may temporarily lose a little ground. But in the long run, you will meet your goal.

A Fitness Opportunity

There is an opportunity to change your fitness level.

Freedom's Run takes place October 3, 2009. With a variety of running and walking events. I will be participating is some form or another and I would invite you to do so as well.

This event has something for everyone - a marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and Family Fun Run.

And you don't have to run any of them. You can walk if you want to. The point of Freedom's Run is not to be ultra-competitive, or go after big prize money - there is none. The point is to get out, enjoy nature and history, and get healthy.

If you would like more information, visit the website. If you need help in starting to get fit, leave a comment or email me.