CEO of Wellness

In her recent USA Today column on entrepreneurialism, Gladys Edmunds offered some great insights on keeping fit while running a business. But I think her excellent suggestions can apply to all of us. Yes, business owners and leaders face additional stresses and pressures, but each of us is the CEO of our own life. So Edmunds’ insight really applies to everyone as we run the business of our lives: set goals, hire help if needed, make appointments (to exercise) and meet with clients (or friends) over exercise instead of lunch. 

Welcome to the Party

Peter Libby, MD, writing in the New York Times, opines on two pieces of research recently covered in the pages of DKWIO.org. Libby discusses the recent recommendation that some kids begin cholesterol screening very young as well as the finding that physical activity is declining in American kids as they age. Libby rightly points out that “medicalizing” these issues misses the full spectrum of the matter. Childhood obesity demands a holistic approach: cultural, physical, educational, political and medical. Read the whole article here: http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/medicating-childhood-obesity/?ref=health.

Get Fit Today

Today is DKWIO Get Fit Day at Detroit’s Campus Martius Park. If you live in Southeastern Michigan—and you and your child are interested in learning more about making healthy choices—please join us for this educational and fun event. The festivities begin at 11:00 a.m.

Shop Well

Writing for Prevention magazine, Sarah Mahoney makes some simple shopping recommendations for keeping your kids’ (or your own) brains and bodies in top working condition. Mahoney suggests that you should limit high-fat foods, high-sugar foods and (this shouldn’t surprise anyone) diet soda. Go with low-fat foods, fresh fruits and milk, and you’ll do yourself and your kids a big favor.

Get Fit in the D

On Wednesday, July 30, DKWIO will transform Detroit’s Campus Martius Park into an educational, experiential wellness festival for kids and families. Beginning at 11:00 a.m., DKWIO Get Fit Day will offer nearly 20 fitness stations, activities and demonstrations, ranging from dental hygiene instruction to skill displays by Detroit Ignition soccer players. If you live in the Detroit area, I encourage you to come down and experience this dynamic, immersion event.

Anxiety Update

With skyrocketing prices for staples, growing unemployment and decreasing home values, the American Psychological Association has reported a 25 percent increase in the number of Americans worried about money compared to last year. Stress is an important biological function designed to help us perform our best. However, prolonged exposure can lead to appetite changes, depression, anxiety and more. You can take some simple steps to fight stress: practice yoga, exercise, sleep well, maintain a positive attitude and eat right. If these steps don’t work, seek qualified professional help.

Exercise Passionately

Kids’ fitness expert Kristen DeLeo recently wrote a helpful article on inspiring your kids to love exercise. She draws an important distinction between inspiration and motivation. Motivation comes from a variety of tactics—not always helpful—like speeches and charts that turn exercise into just another chore. Inspiring kids comes from a true passion for health. She offers three great tips:

• Role model—kids listen to what you say and watch what you do. Live actively and well.
• Exercise is a reward—use your kids’ favorite healthy activities as a reward for doing chores, for getting good grades, etc. Trips to the batting cage, to the driving range or to the community pool are great options.
• Create healthy family memories—exercise is part of your life; share it with your kids by dancing, playing volleyball or hiking through the local park.

Tweens' Exercise Dwindles

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that kids’ moderate physical activity declined by more than 33 percent between the ages of nine and 15 years old. The study, which began in 2000, measured all types of physical activity, excluding water sports and contact sports. From approximately three hours of activity (including walking) at age nine, boys declined to roughly 49 minutes per day during the week and 35 minutes per day during weekends. Girls also declined at a similar percentage, though they were less active than boys to begin.

Co-author Renate Houts, Ph.D., research statistician and psychologist at RTI International, said of the results: “Unless parents, elected officials, and volunteer and philanthropic organizations begin creating new opportunities for children’s activities, childhood obesity rates will likely continue to rise.”

Aging Fit

Nanci Hellmich wrote a fascinating article for USA Today asking a seemly obvious question. Can middle-aged people attain Olympic-like levels of fitness? Bottom-line: with a ridiculous amount of training, good genetics and disciplined dieting, it’s possible. However, the real lesson is not at the end of the athletic bell curve, but the healthy middle. According to Hellmich’s sources, we can fend off muscle deterioration through our 60s with a modest amount of resistance training. Further, basic, daily physical activity also promotes a kinder aging process. Check the whole article out: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-07-13-olympic-fitness-older_N.htm.

Dress Your Salad

Here are two great dressing recipes (courtesy of MSNBC and Richard Florczak) from my friend Suzanne Boland.

·          Skinny red pepper dressing—roast three red bell peppers or drain a jar of water-packed roasted peppers. Sauté the peppers with onion and garlic until they are soft. Place them in a blender with a cup of chicken broth, and puree until smooth and creamy.

·          No-fat vinaigrette—combine a cup of low-sodium soy sauce with one cup of rice wine vinegar, two tbsp. of chopped garlic and one small, peeled and chopped shallot in a blender. Blend for 30 seconds for a week’s worth of zesty, non-fat dressing.