I like this!

Words to live better by for 2010
By Harvey Mackay

They don’t pay off an effort… they pay off on results.
No one ever chocked swallowing his or her pride.
Don’t just mark time; use time to make your mark.
People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.
Technology should improve your life, not become your life.
The best way to be somebody is just to be yourself.
The best vitamin for making friends is B1.
It is not a question as to who is right but what is right.
The difference between failure and success is doing a thing nearly right and doing it exactly right.
Many people hear… but few people listen.
There is no free tuition in the school of experience.
The person who has no goal does not fear failure.
The best way to get even is to forget.
It is better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.
Make decisions with your heart, and you’ll wind up with heart disease.
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be- not what you nag them to be.
You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth.
When you kill a little time, you may be murdering opportunity.
Education is an investment and never an expense.
Ideas won’t work unless I do.
Its never right to do wrong, and its never wrong to do right.
Your smile is more important than anything you wear.
Gratitude shouldn’t be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude.
Helping someone up won’t pull you down.
Those that have the most to say usually say it with the fewest words.
If you don’t learn from your mistakes, there’s no sense in making them.
People wrapped up in themselves make pretty small packages.
When is the last time you did something for the first time?
Smart is believing half of what you hear; brilliant is knowing which half to believe.
One thing I can give and still keep is my word.
Those who beef too much often land in the stew.
Compromise is always wrong when it means sacrificing principle.
A stumble may prevent a fall.
The moral: Not just words to live by, words to live better. Happy 2010

~Wid

Solstice Greetings

I am writing this on Winter Solstice Day which occurs yearly on the shortest day of the coldest season – typically December 21 or 22 – heralding the astronomical beginning of Winter. It is also the time when the Sun is farthest from the Equator.
Originally referred to as Giuli, later Juletid and eventually by a term with which we are all familiar, Yuletide – the event became synonymous with the yearly festivals of the Winter season. These celebrations culminated with a great Winter Solstice festival, combining customs from various cultures across Europe.
Worldwide, the tradition of commemorating Winter Solstice continues to this day. Interpretation varies from culture to culture, but whatever the occasion may be, they all share a common meaning – a yearly celebration of rebirth and light, and a time to give thanks to the bounty of nature through merriment and reverence.
May we pause during these unsettling times to reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season. We send our warmest wishes for the best that life has to offer and to say how much your friendship means to us.

Wid

"If you talk the talk you need to walk the walk!"

I got on the scale this morning and was dismayed to see the reading of 208 pounds! I had successfully leveled off at around 200, my desired and comfortable zone. It's obvious that my discipline over the holiday season has already been less than stellar.
My strength is up, my endurance is down and my flexibility is steady. This is how I gage and monitor my fitness regime.
As my string of not missing a day of exercise approaches 6 years January 1, "If I'm going to talk the talk, I need to walk the walk!"
I'll let you know after the "season to be jolly"!

Wid

Less Smoking = More Obesity = Shorter Life

A recent posting on the Internet lays out some serious consequences regarding the increase in obesity among Americans. The article states “Anyone who’s ever quit smoking (or tried to) knows that once the puffing stops, the eating begins.” As more people have quit smoking, we’ve seen a rise in obesity rates which if not curtained, could see 45% of Americans being overweight in just 10 years from now.

A New England Journal of Medicine study declared “If past obesity trends continue unchecked, the negative effects on the health of the U.S. population will increasingly outweigh the positive effects gained from declining smoking rates.”

The study examined health trends collected from national health surveys to forecast life expectancy and quality of life. Based on the continued decline in smoking, the life expectancy for an 18-year-old non-smoker should increase by nearly four months.

But over the past 15 years, body-mass index rates have shot up 48%, and if this continues unabated, the NEJM study projected that 45% of Americans will be obese by 2020, and that 18-year-old’s life expectancy will be reduced by just over a year. So when you balance less smoking against more obesity, the net loss in life expectancy is more than eight months.

The AOL article concludes by stating, “That doesn’t mean the customary trend of increased life expectancy due to improvements in nutrition, education and health care will suddenly reverse course. But the rising obesity rates may eventually slow this progress.

“The bottom line: If you succeed in giving up tobacco, pay especially close attention to your eating habits. It could add years to your life.”

Good advice. And that’s why I have been promoting physical fitness, proper nutrition and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle in my blogs over the past year. So as I sign every letter that goes out over my signature, I urge you to…

Get Up! Get Active! Get Involved! Get healthy!

~Wid

It Was a Gathering of ALL WINNERS!

The eighth annual WINNERS CIRCLE on November 20 was a very special night when we recognized and honored those whose support has enabled Grand Canyon State Games to provide 30,000 Arizona athletes of all ages a wide range of physical fitness opportunities and friendly competition throughout the entire year.

Todd Wilson and his outstanding staff were once again our hosts at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Phoenix. You could not have asked for better facilities, the meal was a gourmet delight, and the service was impeccable.

We had a record number of items in the Silent Auction held during the pre-dinner reception. Mogollon kicked off the proceedings once we moved into the banquet hall. They don’t coming any better than our emcee Pat McMahon who kept things moving throughout the evening, and it’s always a great privilege to have members of the Piestewa Family and Pastor Don Holliday take part in the program.

Special award presentations were made to the following:
2009 Co-Athletes of the Year Award Winners
The AZ Desert Dolphins Synchronized Swim and
Rebecca Durazo
2009 Premier Power Player Award Winner
Mary McBain
2009 Commissioner of the Year Award Winner
Alan Lambert
2009 Rookie Commissioner of the Year Award
Dianne Pratt Doerschel
2009 Volunteer Force of the Year
St. Paul’s Academy
2009 Individual Volunteer of the Year
Bret Kawasaki
2009 Co-Venues of the Year Award Winner
The City of Scottsdale Recreation Division’s Indian School Park and
The Salt River / Pima Indian Community

Under the category of Special Entertainment, Slick Willie Shaw of the Harlem Globe Trotters gave an amazing demonstration of ball handling. The Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame was once again our partner for the evening, and President Janie Riddle brought us up to date on their programs that benefit high school scholar-athletes.

Some guy with the moniker of “Snyder” attired in a San Francisco 49ers jersey was the “warm-up act” for keynote speaker Ann Meyers Drysdale who captivated the audience as she recounted the highlights of her impressive career as a three-time All-American, Olympian and now general manager of the Phoenix Mercury.

Realizing that he couldn’t top all the powerhouse talent that proceeded him to the podium, our Arizona Sports Council president John Startt kept his remarks brief in closing out the evening with a salute to all the winners and a challenge to our Board members, commissioners, volunteers and sponsors to continue the good work that make the Games so special.

What an evening! As we keep raising the bar, the challenge your GCSG staff faces is what do we do for an encore next year. Well, just stay tuned.

It’s Not Called Junk for Nothing

Our thanks for the following from the latest St. Luke’s Health Initiative “Thnking Out Loud” newsletter:
“A recent study from Scripps Research documents that the brain responds to junk food the same way that it does to heroin. Apparently obesity and drug addiction have common neurobiological underpinnings.
“At least in rats. One group of rats was fed a broad range of processed food, from bacon and cheesecake to Ho Hos, while another group received ‘high-nutrient, low-calorie chow.’ There was an immediate difference: The rats that ate junk food developed compulsive eating habits and became obese. Not only that, but they became so addicted to junk food that ‘they were willing to tolerate electric shocks if that’s what it meant to keep eating the stuff.’
“If eating junk food really is an addiction, where does that leave policies calling for more consumer ‘choice’ in eating healthy foods? We ban heroin. Why not Ho Hos?”
Perhaps a bit far-fetched, but it does relate to several of the articles we have been passing along that point out that many of the health problems we have are self-imposed. It’s as if we have little responsibility for our own health. We instead outsource it to something called the health care system.

Wid

"RSVP !"

I'm not sure what it means but it's a whole bunch of fun watching them come in for our Winners Circle Weekend!
Sponsors, athletes, commissioners, board members, volunteers, and friends reminding me of the magnitude of people we are grateful to for making all that we do possible!
We can't thank you enough but we are going to try!
In the meantime I will do some research on the meaning of "RSVP !"

Wid

Unbelievable

One-third of U.S. youth unfit for militaryPublished:
Nov. 4, 2009 at 1:53 AM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- More than one-third of Americans ages 17-24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues, U.S. military officials said.Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon's director of accessions, said the United States has "an obesity crisis.""There's no question about it," Gilroy told the Navy Times. "Kids are just not able to do push-ups, and they can't do pull-ups. And they can't run."The Pentagon figures -- 35 percent of the roughly 31.2 million Americans ages 17-24 are ineligible for military service -- are drawn from data from the Centers for Disease Control. In a study scheduled to be released Thursday in Washington, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and a group of retired military officers say young Americans' lack of overall fitness for military duty is a national security threat, the Navy Times reported.The report, drawing on Pentagon data, says almost three out of four 17- to 24-year-olds are ineligible for service for a variety of reasons including:-- 35 percent ineligible for medical/physical problems.-- 18 percent ineligible for illegal drug use.-- 9 percent ineligible for mental problems.-- 6 percent have too many dependents.-- 5 percent have a criminal record.

~ Wid

"Board of Directors ! "

After yesterdays Board of Directors meeting I realized on my drive home how special they are, and how lucky I am to work for such a talented ,smart, and supportive group of fine people!
I also was reflective of the loss of two 15 year members due to personal reasons. I'm hoping they realize how grateful I am for their tremendous contribution and loyalty over a long period of time.
They will be missed!
Boards come in many shapes and forms and vary greatly in their roles as the culture of each organization is different. In our case we have great leadership and involvement from everybody. We are "lean" but very effective in my opinion.
It is my hope that over the years I have made sure they know how appreciative I am for their unconditional show of strength. I will continue to make a committed effort to show my gratitude.
Thank you one and all!

Wid

A Look at “The State of America’s Health”

I am constantly reading articles dealing with physical fitness, proper nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle. These topics have been the subject of many of my blogs and are key to Grand Canyon State Games’ educational program promoting a more active, healthier and happier lifestyle.

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report took a sobering look at “The State of America’s Health.” Here are a few excerpts:

“Americans today are fatter and less active than ever before. Two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese, and fewer than a third exercise at least three times a week. Twenty-four million people have diabetes, the vast majority of it related to lifestyle. An additional 57 million are pre-diabetic. One in five adults still smokes in spite of the decades of public anti-tobacco campaigns that point out smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths.

“Our expanding girth is America’s most visible health problem. Not only are most adults too heavy, but obesity rates for children have more than doubled in the past 30 years. Excess weight is a significant factor in four of the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Obesity has fueled a 45% rise in diabetes over the past 20 years. Someone born in 2000 has a one-in-three chance of developing the disease.

“In fact, an estimated 900,000 people die from avoidable causes every year because they failed to maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritiously, exercise or smoked or drank excessively. That’s roughly 40% of all deaths in the United States.”

I’ll continue this discussion next week because it is important we recognize the consequences of how we live our lives.

~Wid

"National Art Contest Invites Everyone To Compete"

I truly enjoy the excitement generated by our Art Contest! With this years new sponsor, Southwestern College, entries are steady with the postmark deadline being tomorrow.
The contest promotes creativity through art as an effective method for artists of ALL ages(grades K-12, adults ages 18-49, 50+) to express their dreams and ideas for a successful life and a better community. The vision of healthy self-improvement through friendly competition continuesin the Art Contest!
I'm hoping to eclipse last years total of 1,789 adding to our 16,787 ten year total.
I'll let you know.........

Wid

Can Parents Influence their Children’s Eating Habits?

As I have researched these blogs on physical fitness and proper nutrition, I ran across another issue regarding the challenge parents face in coaching their children away from unhealthy eating without making for strained relations and possible psychological problems. How do parents get their kids to understand that their intake of food impacts their overall health without making them rebel or be unduly self-conscious of the consequences.

I am talking about the young man who knowingly eats more than he should, or the daughter who treats food warily – always concerned about her waistline. Neither may be considered obese or anorexic, but they represent a larger group of young people who fall between those widely publicized (and much more complicated) extremes.

In recent years, worry about what and how much children eat has intensified because of the frequent references to obesity. Then there is the concern with children back in school where parents cannot monitor their eating habits. It’s encouraging, however, that school cafeterias and vending areas are providing fewer sugary soft drinks and fried foods, and class bake sales are more apt to feature calorie-reduced brownies.

Even with all this increased awareness, parents are having to sort out all the conflicting information regarding diets and weight control. Beyond genes, which obviously play a fundamental role, is soda pop a major factor? What about too little sleep?

An article in The Republic this week reports that one in five youngsters isn’t getting enough Vitamin D and could be at risk for a variety of health problems, including weak bones, infections, diabetes and some cancers. The deficiency is even more prevalent among Minorities. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicated that children can get 400 units of Vitamin D by drinking four cups of fortified milk daily or eating lots of fish. Exposure to our Arizona sun is another source of Vitamin D.

As one parent pointed out, “We get nutritional advice, but that’s not the same as eating advice.” My best answer is that parents should encourage sensible eating and vigorous physical activity by engaging in both themselves, thereby setting the example their children hopefully will follow. Another good suggestion is to involve your children in the shopping for, and cooking of meals as a way to heighten their consciousness about food and proper eating habits.

~ Lew Shaw

Facing the Brutal Facts . . .

Management guru Jim Collins has made a career out of understanding why companies and organizations succeed. Two books he has written – Built to Last and Good to Great – are considered business classics. He currently is researching how companies manage to navigate through turbulent times. Many of his conclusions can be applied to what we need to do as individuals to get through these tough times.

In a recent interview, he is quoted as saying: “In my research, we are trying to understand what distinguishes those who prevail when the world goes out of control from those who don’t. It’s a great human question; it’s not a business question. All of us are walking around with a little thing in our stomachs that says: ‘I don’t feel very good in all of this.’ That’s more or less the new norm.”

Jim argues that what is happening is not unprecedented as many contend. He points out: “We have this arrogant view that we’re the first people to experience change, that we’re the first to experience volatility and uncertainly. When you take a look at history, there have been many other difficult times, and we have survived.”
“Almost across the board, people are worried. But you have to believe we will prevail, that we will get through this mess. But it’s vital that you not be the Pollyanna who ignores the brutal facts. We may be in this for a long time, but we must strive to turn whatever difficulty we may be facing into a defining event, use it as the catalyst to make ourselves much stronger, recognizing that our character is being forged in a burning, searing crucible.”

Wid

You can be in control

I recently read an article in our local paper discussing Dr. Andrew Weil’s new book, “Why Our Health Matters.” Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

He stresses the importance of making smart decisions if you want to eat for optimum health and achieve a healthy weight. His bottom-line prescription is to cut down on all food products made with any kind of flour and sugar.

He goes on to say that sugar and processed carbohydrates are the primary culprits in the obesity epidemic. “They are the main drivers of obesity, insulin resistance and eventually Type 2 diabetes. Many of the problems we see in society are the result of the mismatch between genes and sugar and processed carbs that are predominant in fast foods and refined or manufactured foods – basically all products made with any kind of flour and sugar.”

According to Dr. Weil, we should focus not only on how much we eat, but also what we eat. He advises people to fill their shopping carts with vegetables and lean meats and to stick to the outside aisles in the supermarket where you’ll usually find unprocessed foods.

His concluding advice: “You can take responsibility for your own health by making smarter choices, even something as simple as quenching your thirst with water instead of that sugary soda.”

Wid

"This has a chance"

Good Afternoon Wid,

Please use this e-mail as my expression of interest in putting together a fourth quarter fundraising program which will help both of our organizations. Arizona Office Technology (AOT) would like to formally extend an offer to any GCG board member, supporter or other interested party an opportunity to support GCG with a 5% donation from any business conducted with AOT during the 4th quarter. I would like to sit down Friday and formalize the program if concept is approved. Please understand, AOT’s first objective with any client engagement is to REDUCE their overall costs. Therefore, if one of these organizations engages us, it will be with the singular focus of reducing costs and the bi-product is a 5% donation on their behalf to GCG. We all win!!!

Donald K. Maroney
Vice President of Sales


~ Wid

The Way to Feeling Better

GCSG Board member Andy Dzurinko passed along the following blog from Tim Lane of the Iowa Department of Health which points out that even a minimum amount of physical activity can be beneficial to your health. Tim writes:
“A recent study shows that as little as 10 extra minutes of exercise a day can reduce your risk of major disease and improve your quality of life. ‘Our bodies respond to even small amounts of activity,’ according to Dr. Tim Church of the Pennington Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ‘For sedentary individuals, the immediate health benefits are huge. We saw a change in waist size in just 70 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.’ Short bouts of exercise can also affect how your body metabolizes blood sugar for up to 72 hours.
“Walking a few minutes a day may not cause your weight to drop substantially, but it will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, diabetes, and many other conditions,” Dr. Church adds.
Most Americans take approximately 5000 steps a day. Increasing that to 7000 or 8000 will further reduce the risk of disease. And the psychological benefits can be as profound as the physical ones.
Tim concludes with these Thoughts for the Day:
“It always amazes people to see how little activity it takes to feel better.” – Tim Church
“Life is a short walk. There is so little time and so much living to achieve.”
– John Oliver Killens
“If you're not in the parade, you watch the parade. That's life.” – Mike Ditka
“Leadership involves finding a parade and getting in front of it.” – John Naisbitt
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies
within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wid

"How tough can it be!"

Why can't people just do what they say......? Return a phone call......? Be on time......? Respond to an e-mail.....? Say please and thank you....? You did a good job.....? Say good morning....? And how about" in this economy"....that's getting real old!
"How tough can it be!"
I'm frustrated...

Wid

Further Thoughts on Controlling One’s Weight

We’re a country obsessed with being thin, yet two-thirds of American adults – and nearly one-third of children and adolescents – are overweight or obese and either suffering from or at risk of serious chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. So states an article in US News & World Report that recently came to my attention.

This struck me as ironic, what with the weight-loss industry churning out a new diet book or fat-loss pill every other week. Even when dieters do succeed in slimming down, research has shown that the majority end up gaining back their losses.

So what gives? The article states that exercise and dieting aside, behavior and biology appear to have a real influence on weight. Weight-loss depends largely on getting the right balance between calories consumed and calories burned, but what the author refers to as “several sneaking factors” may be complicating that equation.

Eating late at night. Snacking at times that are out of sync with your normal eating times may be promoting weight-gain.

Consuming too much sugar. The highly-processed American diet is packed with added sugars and syrups which can contribute to metabolic abnormalities and poor health. The biggest culprits are soda and other sugary beverages like fruit juices and sports drinks.

Not getting enough sleep. One theory contends that when people get less than seven hours a night, the fatter they seem to become.

Your body desperately wants to store fat. I was intrigued with the idea that the body’s physiological drive to store energy harks back to primitive days when food was actually scarce, and our ancestors had to expend calories scavenging for their next meal. By contrast, energy-dense food is everywhere today, and too many of us sit on our duff all day while our body fat increases to the detriment of our health.

There aren’t a lot of easy answers, but understanding some of the reasons we gain weight can hopefully get us to make better decisions as to what and when we eat.

Wid

"Eight is Great!"

For the eighth straight year The DoubleTree Guest Suites,Phx Airport, will host our Winners Circle Weekend Gala on November 20-21! I truly enjoy the planning that goes into this event. The theme of saying "Thank You" to our sponsors, board ,volunteers, and commissioners is very inspiring! Plus, we have a chance to highlight our friendship with the National Football Foundation.

The challenge to improve on the previous years programs is one I cherish.
The "elements " are beginning to come together for this year. I like seeing how big I can make the "mountain!"

You are all invited so please RSVP to Tara at 480-517-9700 with your plans for the dinner, room and brunch. " Eight is Great!"

My good friend Lew Shaw just stopped by. It's always great to see him!

Wid

Run-Walk for Good Health and a Good Cause

While we have a posting for the Frank Kush Family & Dog Fun Run & Walk on our GCSG website, I want to be sure you don’t miss out on the 18th annual event coming up on Saturday, October 17 at Tempe Town Lake. Grand Canyon State Games is honored to be listed as a Friend of the Frank Kush Youth Foundation.

The Run-Walk annually attracts between 1,000 and 1,200 participants and features a 5k competitive run, 5k walk, and a one-mile walk. It’s a low-cost, family-fun event, and previous race experience is not required. All who enter receive a t-shirt, and the children get medals. It’s a great way for your dog (at least four months of age and current on all vaccinations) to have a day of exercise and enjoy the company of other dogs.

Frank Kush, the man who put Arizona State football on the national map, works out religiously at the age of 80 and has always advocated the benefits of being physically fit. (Just ask some of his former players about having to run up Mount Kush at Camp Tontozona.)

Andy Dzurinko, who serves on our GCSG Board, is the main force in organizing the Family & Dog Fun Run & Walk. Over the years, the Frank Kush Youth Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to schools and non-profit organizations to promote physical fitness.

So promote your own physical fitness and good health while supporting a worthy cause on Saturday, October 17. You’ll find all the details on how to register elsewhere on our website.

Wid

"Empty Nest!"

A conference win on the road in the NFL is huge! Although not playing particularly well, the 49er's 80 yard drive in the 4th quarter was enough to seal the victory over the Cardinals. As you might remember my son-in -law, Adam Snyder, plays right tackle for the 49er's. We had all the kids in town and 18 tickets to the game. Grandma Cinda and Pa PA Wid drew baby sitting duty for Kael and Daisy!
We had a terrific week of quality family time. The only down side was 10 month old Kael came down with bronchitis and had to be put on a breathing machine every 4 hours. Holding him down for his treatments was not particularly enjoyable.
For the record , once everyone had left for home, it was sort of sad and lonely. Cinda and I were back to the "Empty Nest!"

Wid

The hard part is getting started . . .

Remember when you were a kid, your Mother always insisted that you eat your peas before you could leave the dinner table. If you dared to ask why, her answer was always “because they’re good for you.”

I often get the same reaction when I talk about the importance of physical fitness and good nutrition. It’s natural to want to have a reason – or a whole lot of reasons - to follow good practices that otherwise may not be part of the way you normally live your life. We need to be motivated and to understand the benefits of what we are being asked to do. It takes a certain amount of discipline to take time out of your day for physical exercise or to pass up that piece of delicious cake.

In a previous blog, I mentioned a Mayo Clinic doctor who has written a book entitled, “Move A Little, Lose A Lot.” He stated that many overweight people have what he called “sitting disease,” and that they would lose weight if they did more walking, standing and moving around during the day.

You want to know what you could accomplish by taking a daily half-hour walk at a brisk pace? One fitness authority states your aerobic capacity would increase by 19% and your physical functions by 25% while decreasing the risk of disability by 41%.

According to this source, each walk would burn 150 calories which would take off 1.3 pounds a month, or 15.6 pounds a year. Your cardiovascular health would improve, you’d have a better chance of fighting off illness and disease, and very likely you’ll be spending less time in the doctor’s office.

Those are good reasons to me and certainly don’t sound too difficult. The difficult part is making it all happen. A behavior research study suggests that if you adopt a change for roughly 20 consecutive days, your brain adapts, and you’ll find yourself living in a more energized way throughout your day. Give it a try!

Wid

9/11

"NEVER FORGET !"

Get Up! GET ACTIVE! Get Involved! Get Healthy!

You don’t have to be an All-American athlete to stay in shape. The key is staying active. Just doing common, everyday tasks can burn off those calories. I’m sure you’ve been told to take the stairs rather than the elevator. Park a little farther away when you are at the mall. Or take the time to return those shopping carts to the designed area rather than leaving them in the middle of the lot (which could also create a safety hazard.)

Do you know you can burn up to 300 calories just by taking a brisk 45-minute walk before you go to work or school. If you wear those five-pound ankle weights, you’ll find it helps to burn more calories and boosts your energy. Here are some other activities that will burn off calories in an hour (for a 150-pound person):

Yard raking – 288
Window cleaning, car washing or gardening – 324
Chopping wood - 432
Moving heavy boxes (clean out that garage!) - 504

A physician at the Mayo Clinic talks about increasing your NEAT – non-exercise activity thermogenesis – which accounts for much of your movement and therefore caloric expenditure throughout the day. These are activities such as walking to school, pacing while on the phone, cleaning your room or standing while talking to a friend.

Follow some of these routines, and you can use up 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day which can help you lose weight and avoid being obese. So GET ACTIVE!

Wid

"Can't Wait!"

On September 13th the San Francisco 49ers will play the Arizona Cardinals! Adam, with great determination and hard work during camp, will once again be the starting right tackle for the opener against the Redbirds! Erika is coming early with"man-child Kael , Jess and Jamie are coming from Vegas, hopefully Adams folks will join us , and Dallas ,Em and sweet Daisy are already here. A full house!!! How lucky are Cinda and Pa Pa Wid! Can't wait!

Wid

I'm back

As promised, I’m back in the blog-writing mode. While I will continue to keep you up to date on what is going on with Grand Canyon State Games and the Widmark family, I’m planning to use these blogs to a greater extent as a vehicle to focus on the benefits of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle as an alternative to obesity, drugs, chronic illnesses and escalating health costs.

Having said that, I got to thinking that with all the talk these days about healthcare reform, there is something that we all can do as individuals to reform the way we care for our own health.

TIME Magazine recently ran an article entitled “America’s Health Checkup” which pointed out that “67% of Americans are overweight or obese, 27% have blood pressure that is too high, and 40% get no exercise.” Most Americans don’t eat enough salads and vegetables, and what we do eat, we don’t burn off because of our sedentary lifestyles.

Pretty scary numbers. The TIME Magazine article goes on to say, “The biggest problem with the U.S. healthcare system is that it has long been designed to respond to illness rather that prevent it.” A follow-up article noted that “70% of our healthcare costs are attributable to chronic, preventable diseases. About 40% of premature deaths in the United States are caused by lifestyle choices - smoking, poor eating and inactivity.”

It’s not easy changing the way in which we live, but these statistics should give pause for reflection – and hopefully lead to changes for the better. I’m not qualified to give a lot of medical advice. That’s your doctor’s job. But I do want to create a greater awareness by passing along information from reliable sources that will help us lead more productive and healthy lives. So let’s all get on the “preventive bandwagon” for better health.

While you may not agree with some of President Obama’s policies and proposed programs, he does set the right example by making physical fitness a daily requirement. Even during the hectic days of his pre-election campaign, he made it a daily practice to go to the gym to work out for 90 minutes for some 48 days in a row.

"Signing Off !"

Thank you one and all for letting me share some thoughts with you! It's been fun for me!
I'm "signing off" until September! I look forward to visiting again with you then.
Have a great summer!

Wid

"The Crowning Jewel!"

For the 8th straight year the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games increased in participation! 75 basketball teams,32 softball teams, 28 volleyball teams, 8 baseball teams,31 track athletes and 22 cross country runners for a grand total of 2089 competitors! The nations largest Native American sports festival continues to thrive!
A special thank you to the Piestewa family for their unconditional loyalty to the Games!
Defining moments were Carla Piestewa's undeniable determination continuing to run with one shoe off in the cross country run and her brother Brandon's(Baby Shaq) strong effort in winning the gold medal in basketball and a silver medal in the softball throw.
The"Crowning Jewel" of our year round format is in the books!

Wid

"A Magical Moment!"

Jessica and Jamie's day in the sun was truly a magical moment! As I reflect on the renewing of my daughters vows, the thing that stands out in my mind were the people who pulled together to execute the flawless ceremony plus the various festivities that surrounded the main event.
Thanks to one and all -------you were super!
Now I need to make sure that the same "magic" takes place with the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games! I'm confident that it will!

Wid

Michael Jackson!

Talented but I can't figure out all the rest?!

Wid

"Mixed bag !"

Let's not forget the true meaning of the fourth of July! The weekend was full of amazing accomplishments: Wimbledon, Tiger Woods, and all the rest of the fireworks!
How lucky we are to live in a country where freedom rings!

Wid

"The Crowning Jewel!"

The eighth annual Lori Piestewa National Native American Games are fast approaching! The "crowning jewel" to our year round format is the largest event of it's kind in the country!
I have become very close with Lori's parents ,Terry and Percy, and Lori's children Brandon and Carla. Thus the overwhelming responsibility to represent the family with great Competition, Presentation , and Hospitality is paramount!
This will happen! I've promised them and I promise you, we will do our best!

Wid

"Knock on wood !"

Big weekend! A tremendous tribute to my loyal staff,our supportive board,committed sponsors, competitive athletes, knowledgeable commissioners , and tireless volunteers! CHP! Competition, Hospitality, and Presentation-----we NAILED IT!

Plus no major injuries....knock on wood!

Now we're on to the Arizona Summer Basketball State Championships next week!

Then it's the crowning jewel ------The Lori Piestewa National Native American Games!
Stay tuned!

Wid

"Big weekend!"

It's here ! Summer Games! If preparation is any indication of how it will go ...we're ready!
Good luck to our athletes ,volunteers, and commissioners!
Let's Roll!!!

Wid

"The toughest player I ever coached!"

Saturday night I received a call informing me that a former player I coached, a groomsman in our wedding, and a dear friend had committed suicide. A tragic ending without any apparent warning.
I was very distraught and could only feel after being told that other than his father, I was on the top of a list as most influential people in his life, I believe I could have saved him if I had known.
Good bye my friend....

Wid

"Re-invent yourself !"

Watching the car industry struggle with the overwhelming changes in their industry is mind boggling to me. The incredible amount of money being thrown around seems way out of whack.
Of great interest to me is the unraveling of what has been an American institution. How did it get to this?
They basically are "re-inventing themselves !" A process that we can all learn from. These are truly interesting times to say the least.

Wid

"Tick Tock!"

I just realized from our"countdown clock" that my 14th Summer Games are just 11 days away!
Are we ready? We better be because time waits for no man!
"Tick Tock!"

Wid

"Rejuvenated!"

We all need to have our batteries recharged at times. Fill up our gas tanks....remind ourselves of our priorities , re-invent the way we do things, examine where we stand with our goals and so on.
June 1 is a good time to take a minute for some good old fashion honest evaluation. I always try to see my doctor for my yearly physical about now....sort of the half way point.
I'm happy to report that I have been officially" rejuvenated ! "
It was easy -----both grandchildren were at the house for dinner last night. Wow, how much fun was that!? I realized, or reminded myself, that Kael and Daisy put everything in perspective for good old grandpa. It's all about family.....and you can take that to the bank even in tough times.

Wid

"It's up for grabs !"

I don't know if your watching the NBA playoffs but I think the title is up for grabs!. Stay tuned!

Wid

"Fun!"

How much fun is it to see your children prosper and add to the equation grandchildren!

Wid

"3 day weekend!"

Let's not forget what was truly important to remember about yesterday's holiday!

Wid

"A thought for today!"

"Every noble work is at first impossible!"

Wid

"Sweet baby Jess!"

Jessica and Jamie are in town! They came in from their home in Vegas last night! I was like a little kid waiting for them to arrive. Dallas and Em brought our little "queen" Daisy over for some of Cindas great enchiladas! Auntie Jess and Daisy were fun to watch. Jess has always been great with babies! Can't get home fast enough for some more family time tonight!

Wid

"One step closer !"

I have a meeting today with The Arizona Basketball Coaches association regarding the first ever Arizona Summer High School State Championships! A vision I had over a year ago is "one step closer to reality!"
Fun stuff!

WId

"Why wouldn't you?"

4.5% on refinancing my home! I really need to look into this!
Why wouldn't I?

Wid

"Big weekend!"

Flew to SF for a special Mothers Day with Punk,Adam,Rick and Judy! Also, threw in Kael's dedication, and a BBQ with the 49'er offensive line! Great fun! "Big weekend!"

Wid

"A Special Evening"

"Feedback is the breakfast of Champions!" Our 14th annual Celebration Banquet has received great reviews. The combination of Southwestern College as our new venue, dinner complements of Honey Bears BBQ, the entertainment of our official band Mogollon, EMCEE Tom Ambrose, Hot Shot Branch from the Globe Trotters and of course our hundreds of Art and Essay contest medalists proved to be a dynamic combination.
It's amazing, even to us, that our fourteen year total for Americas' largest Art and Essay contest has reached 61,653 entries. The joy on the faces of our award winners made all the hard work and preparation for the evening worth while.
Another true highlight of the evening was indeed the interaction with the Piestewa family. Brandon with the Pledge of Allegiance, Carla singing the National Anthem and a special benediction from Terry, plus Percy's personal comments were heartwarming.
A special thank you to Ottawa University, our fourteen year sponsor and a sincere welcome to Southwestern College, our new Art and Essay sponsor. Moving forward is truly exciting.
Make no mistake that the individual efforts of Tara and Gary plus maybe the strongest group of interns we have ever had, allowed us to plan the work and work the plan.
Thank you one and all,

~Wid

"The Governor"

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet with Governor Janice K Brewer! After months of correspondence and communication ,I finally broke through.
My meeting was scheduled for 2:30p. I left the office early anticipating more than the usual protocol than a normal visit would entail. I was right!
First there was the security check at the entrance to the Capitol. Next, sign in at the front desk and proceed to the 8th floor, only to sign in again and receive a badge and have a seat in the waiting area. At 2:30p exactly a lady appeared and escorted me to the 9th floor where I signed in again an was asked to have a seat in yet another waiting area.
Next, a young man entered from a huge door and invited me into a large foyer outside the Governor's office.
Governor Janice K. Brewer then entered the room and joined me on a set of couches. I had been told I would have an audience of 15 minutes so I didn't waist any time getting into my spiel. I found the Governor to be very engaging.
My goal was to have her agree to be "The Honorary Chairman" of the GCSG. She, without hesitation, said yes! A photographer entered the room ,took our picture, and I was on my way. Mission accomplished! Fun stuff!

Wid

Take Time for Ten Things

Take time to WORK~
it is the price of success.

Take time to THINK~
it is the source of power.

Take time to PLAY~
it is the secret of youth.

Take time to READ~
it is the foundation of knowledge.

Take time to WORSHIP~
it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.

Take time to HELP and ENJOY FRIENDS~
it is the source of happiness.

Take time to LOVE~
it is the one sacrament of life.

Take time to DREAM~
it hitches the soul to the stars.

Take time to LAUGH~
it is the singing that helps with life's loads.

Take time to PLAN~
it is the secret of being able to have time to take time for
the first nine things.

Leadership

I enjoy reading topics on leadership, some are worth sharing, including this list from a book by Richard St. John: "8 To Be Great." The 8 traits that lead to a great success.

* Passion: Discover what you love to do and pursue it. Chase lover, not money, and the money will follow.

* Work: Work hard, all successful people do. But when you love what you are doing, it doesn't feel like work.

* Focus: You must focus on one thing, and one thing only. You must develop an ability to ingore distractions and concentrate.

*Push: Get past obstacles, including self-doubt, and push to achieve the impossible.

*Ideas: Be creative; solve problems; and take advantage of opportunities.

* Improve: Always look for ways to get better at what you do.

* Serve: You must have something of value for others. Focus on the people you serve and listen to what they say.

*Persist: Don't cave in to adversity, be it rough times, faliures, criticism or mistakes.

-Wid

"A Sportman's Prayer"

Let me live, O mighty Master,
Such a life as mine should know,
Testing Triumph and disaster,
Joy~ and not too much of woe;
Let me run the gamut over,
Let me fight and love and laugh
And when I'm beneath the clover
Let this be my epitaph:
"Here lies one who took his chances
in the busy world of men,
Battled luck and circumstances,
Fought and fell and fought again;
Won sometimes ~ but did no crowing,
Lost sometimes~ but did not wail,
Took his beating~ but kept going,
Never let his courage fail.
He was fallible and human,
Therefore loved and understood,
both his fellow men and women,
Whether good or ~ not so good;
Kept his spirit undiminished,
Never laid down on a friend,
Played the game til it was finished,
Lived a sportsman to the end.

"Our Signature Event!"

This was a big weekend! Eight sports: Arm Wrestling, Baton Twirling, Bean Bag Toss, Dodge Ball, Jump Rope, Skiing/Snowboarding , Sand Volleyball, Shooting & first year event Shape Up Arizona!
We had a great turnout, the weather was outstanding, and no major injuries!
When I took this job 14 years ago one of the first trips I took was to Flagstaff to meet with JR Murray, the GM of the Snowbowl, to share an idea with him to start the GCSG Winter Games.
Since that meeting the winter festival has grown to the nations largest with 40 sports and nearly 8,000 athletes.
As I was driving up the mountain Sunday morning I was excited to see JR, Brian, Linda and all the racers. There is still something special to attend "Our Signature Event!"

Wid

"A Life Of Passions"

"In Marquis Cooper's heart, it's always been about family and football,fishing and faith. His family keeps that faith as he remains lost at sea".
From the Arizona Republic
Our thoughts and prayers are with friend Bruce and his family.......

Wid

"You don't get many chances......!"

What started out to be an impromptu invitation from daughter Erika ,Adam, and Kael to visit them at a beach house they had rented in San Diego, turned out to be a whole lot more!
The game plan was to fly over Sat.p after Tennis, Karate and Rock Climbing and run home Mon.a.
I hesitated to go along with the idea but gave in at the last minute under great pressure from the women in my family!
Well, I'm certainly glad I made the trip! It turned into a full blown miniature reunion with grand babies, Great and Grand parents both with some aunts ,uncles and cousins thrown in for good measure.
Great company,weather,food,accommodations, and I slipped in two big time workouts!
The one day reminded me of how precious time with family can be."You don't get many chances in life as peoples lives go in separate directions to be together!" The decision will be much easier next time........

Wid

"I Need to Hit a Home Run!

Raising money for the GCSG has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy the process of making contact, convincing them to allow me to make the presentation, becoming anxious as the time to meet approaches, nailing the presentation , and of course that rush that comes from closing the deal!
The present economic climate for such efforts has been challenging . Trust me when I say it's a test of ones fortitude. I'm reminded of an important concept:
Persevere
Nothing in the world will take the place of perseverance
Talent will not:
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not:
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb
Education will not:
The world is full of educated derelicts.
PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ALONE ARE OMNIPOTENT.

I'm in a little slump right now.
"I Need to Hit a Home Run."

Wid

" You Never Know ! "

When I came home the other evening I had a distressful message from a close friend. Apparently on Valentines day morning the man of the house didn't feel good! Sweating, tired , and just not right! As the day went on he felt better. In fact went out and picked out some flowers for his bride , prepared a terrific dinner, and took in a movie.
The next morning he again didn't feel good! Same symptoms but refused to go to the doctor until his wife insisted! Come to find out he had experienced two heart attacks! The doctor immediately performed surgery finding 95% blockage of his main artery and the doctor said he was lucky to be alive!
My good friend has been warned! He must pay attention. In talking to him he knows his habits have to change. He's 58 years old and has a great deal to live for. This unfortunate occurrence is a "red flag" to all of us. Do the right thing!
"Get Up " "Get Active" " Get Involved" "Get Healthy"
"You Never Know!"

Wid

I like this...

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think of, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church.... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes."
-Charles Swindoll

"All the Same..."

Jessica and Jamie, my terrific daughter and husband, as you remember, have two cats! Herman and Trinity are brother and sister. While Herman is more independent,defiant,a risk taker,and adventurous........ Trinity on the other hand is more affectionate, obedient, and timid. Same family, same upbringing, same food, same,same , same yet so different. Both are adorable.
It brings one's mind to ponder the age old question are we a product of our "heredity or our environment?"
My three children are only eighteen months apart. You guessed it.......same family,same upbringing, same food, same, same,same yet so different and unique but special in there own beautiful way. I'm not so sure there is an answer and I'm glad. How would it be if we were" all the same".

Wid

"The morning after........"

From a pure spectators standpoint it was everything you could ask for! Super Bowl XXXIII will be remembered for a long time as a great football game that could have gone either way.
The build up locally was magnificent! I was impressed with our hometown team's professional approach before, during, and after. They will now be held to a different and a much higher standard...that's a good thing.
Take it from an old coach and NFL personnel man, the off-season has more challenges than ever before. We will all watch as the program moves on with much anticipation.
As the "storybook season" is now over, believe me, there are still no moral victories in"the morning after" a heart breaker!

Wid

"How about that Essay Contest.....!!

With over 100 events in our year round format our Essay contest is still our largest! This years numbers did not disappoint- in fact we surpassed our all time record with 3,706 from 48 states! Bringing the 14 year total to 44,859! We even received an entry in braille. Stay tuned for the results in mid February.
"How about that Essay Contest.....!!
Wid

"If anyone were to ask....."

Thinking about my life in all facets----personal , family, and business I recently realized I have lived for as long as I can remember under one simple trait:
Rule No.1: Assume Failing Is Impossible!
I once was ejected from an intramural college volleyball game on a team where I was a coach/teacher who had assembled the team from a mix of co-eds and football players. How embarrassing as I look back on it.
People who have known me over the years can attest to the fact of how I hate to lose , even at a family Thanksgiving basketball game!
As I analyze this, I believe it stems from being an overachiever to a fault. Being close , yet so far.
In business it's etched in steel and speaks to risk taking , innovation , and pushing to create what's next.
If anyone were to ask, what is the best piece of advice you can give me, my quick response would be" Failure is not an option"!

Wid

"The drought is over:

Tears of joy rain down in the desert." Dan Bickley said it best. The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl!
A special congratulations to my good friend Larry Wilson!

Wid

I thought you might like this...

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. (Ha! I do this every day
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Remember your God heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

"Sweet Daisy!"

Happy New Year! On New Years Eve we were blessed with a pristine 7lb 6 ounce 21 inch baby girl! Mother Emily, father Dallas and Daisy Alena Widmark are all doing fine. As for PaPa Wid and Grandma Wid we are floating around about 3 feet off the ground! This is truly a clear sign of another important phase that I must admit Ive been anxiously awaiting!
This in conjunction with our first grandchild, Kael, 9 weeks ago, provide a great deal of joy and a new sense of responsibility. I love it!

Wid