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September 03, 2007
What have You Done?????
“Hoop” wrote in to my “Obesity Trends” update last week, and asked me what I have done in response to this “Obesity Epidemic” (the CA State School Superintendent Jack O’Connell calls it a silent epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition).
I have never really written it down before, but here it goes…
Personally, I went from 190 pounds, at age 42, incapable of running more that 50 feet at a time, to just this summer at age 46 completing a half-iron distance triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run). I’ve went from a size 34 to a size 32 Levi, I NEVER eat fast food, and I have finally convinced my 13 year old son and most of his friends that the stuff at McDonalds and Burger King will slowly kill you.
I have encouraged lots of friends and co-workers to do "something" to get off the couch - whether it is running, swimming, or taking a walk in the park.
I've also tried (so far, unsuccessfully) to get both the local and national media involved (from Channel 12 news to the Rachael Ray Show) as they would have an incredible ability to show the good things that a reasonable exercise program can do for your physical and mental well-being.
I have been an active member of an organization called beginnertriathlete.com for over 3 years, where the members provide an incredible amount of support and advice for new and struggling runners and triathletes around the world.
I've participated in probably 25 running races, 15 triathlons, volunteered in numerous races, been a member of Chico Running Club for 4 or 5 years, and I am working on the concept of a program that would be of interest to schools, where I could come in an discuss an "Ironman" triathlon to PE classes, and show kids all the things that need to go right to be able to finish one - fitness, nutrition, bike mechanical condition, mental fitness and toughness, etc. This of course, is predicated upon my actually finishing an IRONMAN, which I hope to accomplish in 2009.
Lastly, I have been sending updates out to the world through this blog, hoping to show the "average folk", with a job, 2 kids, a dog and a white picket fence that needs painting that they too can do amazing things, if they are just willing to shut off that damned television, and get up off the couch and get moving.
That's about all, I guess...
Dennis
Posted by Dennis at September 3, 2007 04:13 PM
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Comments
Alright. Very cool. Much respect. You say that you are "working on the concept of a program that would be of interest to schools, where I could come in an discuss an "Ironman" triathlon to PE classes, and show kids all the things that need to go right to be able to finish one - fitness, nutrition, bike mechanical condition, mental fitness and toughness, etc." I think that is a great idea.
I think you got the right idea, interacting with kids. It goes without saying that the early years of a person's life usually have deep reverberations throughout the rest of it. Especially when talking about diet. Certainly teaching kids about Ironman and exercise in general is going to pay some dividends in the battle against obesity.
Personally, when attacking issues such as obesity, I always try to find the action that will have the farthest reaching affects so I can maximize the total positive outcome as much as possible. And I wonder if devoting your time to changing the (usually) unhealthy food served to kids in their school cafeterias is a more valuable use of your time? Trying to teach kids about nutrition is one thing, an important thing to be sure, but actually changing the food they are already eating, I think, could garner a higher level of success in defeating obesity.
Posted by: Hoop at September 3, 2007 09:57 PM