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
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
"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
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
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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
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
Thursday, September 17, 2009
"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
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
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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
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
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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
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
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"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
Wid
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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.
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.
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