Circle Canada is now up and running (or walking). Some of the best things in life really are free. It's ambitious, challenging, fun, informative and will take you to every province and territory. If you and your colleagues circle the country you will finish fitter, healthier, happier and smarter.

Within the 1st week of its launch we have dental practices challenging each other, government departments going head to head and a running club planning to set a record as the first and fastest group to circle the country on the Circle Canada route.

To access Circle Canada, click the button on the www.speakwell.com home page.



This will take you to

<

Scroll down to see how the P•E•D functions by recording your steps
and keeping a cumulative record.

Scroll down further and you'll see 3 buttons.



Choose 'Circle Canada' and you arrive here:



Go to the left side of the graphic to open your account.
Enter your name and password and you're in!



You can click on "My Tour Map" if you're an individual
or "Group Tour Map" if you are part of a group.

ONE GREAT FEATURE OF CIRCLE CANADA IS THAT ONCE YOU RECORD YOUR STEPS THEY CAN BE USED FOR BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PROGRAMS.

Everyone begins in Victoria and just keeps walking for about 18,000 kilometers until they return to the starting point. (That will be the equivalent of burning off over 300 lbs of weight or 140 kgs, and that's a lot of Canadian spare tires.) We do everything we can to make your journey interesting and rewarding, with humor, incentives and some brilliant Canadian trivia.

As your steps accumulate a red line will start snaking its way around our great country. At each marked city along the way you'll get an 'INfo!' pop-up featuring a bit of history, local festivals, activity opportunities, famous residents, great places to eat, local jokes and anything interesting we can find.

Many of the pop-ups are still under construction, but while you walk, we work and will have every pop-up in place when you arrive. Take a look at a few examples:

Victoria INfo!
Vancouver Info!
Calgary INfo!
Edmonton INfo!
Saskatoon INfo!

The list of cities visited can be accessed by clicking the "INFO" compass button below the map.

To help you on your way there will be the occasional "free ride" (it's like Snakes and Ladders with no snakes). On the prairies a CN train will suddenly whisk you from Edmonton to Saskatoon, and as you progress around the country you might be surprised by a paddle steamer, a schooner or hot air balloon to help you on your way.

To our American readers, why not join us on a Canadian journey? To the cyclists, we will soon be launching the "Circle Canada P•E•Ddal" so that you can bike your way around the country.

Circle Canada is designed to be experienced, not written about, so sign up, don't forget your pedometer and start walking. Your feedback will help make a good thing better and will be really appreciated, not just at Speakwell but by the thousands of pedestrians who are walking their way to wellness and weight loss.

The person mostly responsible for the appearance and creativity of Circle Canada is Ron Nye, who does all the layout and graphics for 'Well'. Ron was ably assisted in some of the technical aspects of Circle Canada by Luke Niedjalski.

(Send us an email with your suggestions to ped@speakwell.com).

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This is the title of Martin's upcoming book. "Well" readers can get a sneak preview of the introduction and a couple of sample chapters.

«People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on the earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle, which we don't even recognize.» :: Thich Nhat Hanh

The human body/mind is a miracle, it's a miracle of design and engineering, and a biochemical masterpiece. Great artists, scientists and engineers are all amazed by its perfection. Simple everyday acts like combing our hair or running to catch a ball cannot be replicated by the most sophisticated technology known to us. Few people experience the birth of a baby without the word "miracle" slipping from their lips. Like it or not, dear reader, you are a miracle. One way in which we can assess our life is: "What did I do with the miracle which is me? Did I provide it with quality food and fluids as fuel? Did I use my mind to find wonder and possibilities so that positive messages flowed into my body? And did I move, because this miracle needs to move?" It's a walking miracle.

Getting to 10,000 "A five mile walk (about 10,000 steps) will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world." :: Former Surgeon General, Paul Dudley White As I noted earlier, there's nothing magic about the number 10,000. [ read full chapter in a separate window ]

The Calorie Story The ebb and flow of calories will determine whether you're fat, very fat, very thin or in true Goldilocks fashion, 'just right'. Calorie awareness is crucial and cannot be ignored. At school, we all heard the phrase "pay attention" and that's exactly what is required of you now, not just to the information in this chapter, but to the quality and quantity of calories you allow into your body. [ read full chapter in a separate window ]

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I wrote about FITnet in the Fall 2004 edition of "Well". Every weekday since then I (and some 300,000 others) receive another shot of insight and inspiration from the brain of Lane. Tim Lane could put a wellness spin on the Spanish Inquisition. FITnet is different from "Well" in that it is concise and can be read in seconds, but the wit and wisdom in its few sentences and accompanying quotes are timeless. Herewith a few favorites of myself and Tim.

If you would like to subscribe to FITnet, just send a blank email to join-fitnet@lists.ia.gov.

FITnet March 9, 2001

If you were to take the advice of Robert Frost and select the road less traveled, you might end up on the road least traveled. That would lead you to Racetrack Playa. The area is a 2.8-mile by 1.3-mile mini desert that sits in the expanse of Death Valley. There on the level floor of the Playa is one of modern science's most intriguing puzzles. Scattered along the floor of the desert are rocks ranging in size up to huge boulders weighing hundreds of pounds. Many of these lie at the end of grooved tracks! And, no one knows how they move. Some of the tracks are a half-mile long, some are straight as an arrow, and others seem to reflect a dancing swirling pattern. During the last 50 years of serious inquiry, no witness has seen them move. Theories involve ice, wind, water, and various combinations of those conditions. But the fact remains that in this valley, rocks regularly move.

If rocks can move, we humans need to raise the bar for excuses offered for leading sedentary lifestyles. This will especially apply to all those in the category of "too difficult." Looking back over past FITNET scripts, I see that I have also been rather limited in where I have sought inspiration for motion. Well here's to the overlooked. Let's rock!

"Almost everybody walks around with a vast burden of imaginary limitations inside his head. While the burden remains, personal success is as difficult to achieve as the conquest of Everest with a sack of rocks tied to your back."
:: J. H. Brennan

FITnet March 2, 2001

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. For children's literature, he was just what the doctor ordered.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself Any direction you choose. Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy And footsy as you. With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street. Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordeci Ali Van Allen O'Shea you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way! :: Dr. Theodor Geisel AKA Dr. Seuss

Have a very footsy weekend!

"Old age is like climbing a mountain. You climb from ledge to ledge. The higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become, but your views become more extensive." :: Ingrid Bergman (8/29/1915-1982)

FITnet Sept 1, 2000

I have decided to specialize in the history of Colonial America. Specifically the period from September 2, 1752 to September 14, 1752. Do you know of anything significant that happened in that period? If you said you can't think of a single thing, you are absolutely correct. Those dates do not exist in American history. During that period, America, Canada, and Great Britain decided to catch up with Europe and the Gregorian calendar that was instituted in 1582.

Thus the only dates in North American history when there really was no time to be active were from September 2 to September 13 in 1752. Every other day does have 1440 minutes that can be managed as you see fit.

FITnet Sept 27, 2004

Yesterday was the birthday of Jack LaLanne. Born in 1914, he is the "founder of the fitness movement" or the "greatest gym teacher ever." Jack opened the first health club in 1936 and was the first to encourage the elderly and women to exercise, as well as being one of the most vocal public figures to link physical inactivity and poor nutrition to illness. If you have seen pictures of him lately you know he is still challenging stereotypes. At the age of 70 he towed 70 friends in 70 different boats swimming against a heavy wind across Long Beach Harbor. At the age of 90 he is still strong and still on the go.

"I can't die, young man. It would ruin my image." :: Jack LaLanne

"If you're going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now." :: Marie Osmond

FITnet Nov. 1, 2004

If you ever make it to St. Petersburg, Florida, check out the softball games at North Shore Park, downtown by the bay.

This is the home of the Kids & Kubs, a rather unique softball league. In 2004 they will open their 75th season playing softball. This is a very significant year, since the league is only open to those 75 years young-and older.

Some of the players are as old as 93.

Their dress code requires players to wear white shirts and bow ties.The games are played at 10:30 A. M. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from November through March.

The team has regular social events for members, batgirls, and a fan club (Friends of the Kubs). The Kids & Kubs stages charity games. Last year their games generated thousands of dollars for charities, including the Sunshine Center Holiday Meal for Seniors, the Salvation Army, Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, and Goodwill Industries. In other words, every time they play, everyone wins.

"It keeps me young. " :: Hal Fisher (Kids & Kubs Vice President)

"I might as well come out here and play some softball." :: Pat Rylee (92 but doesn't look a day over 72.)

"If not for the physical activity, a lot of us would not be around, this keeps us going physically and mentally. You're not just sitting around watching TV and going brain dead. You are actually doing something." :: Maynard Saugstad. (Kids Kubs player)

"His only fault is that he has no fault." :: Pliny the Younger

"Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young." :: W. Somerset Maugham

FITnet Nov. 3, 2004

On November 3, 1837, Illinois housewives became so upset with the high cost of living that they initiated a protest! They were incensed when butter rose to 8 cents a pound and a dozen eggs went for 6 cents. I wonder what they would think about a cup of coffee for 3.50? You can, of course, have a positive impact on your cost of living by being active and eating well. In fact the savings are like dominos. By being active you can save gas, then health care costs, and even improve productivity. It is the opposite of a vicious circle.

"Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued. " :: Socrates

"What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of high living. " :: Doug Larson

"In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular. " :: Laurence J. Peter

FITnet Feb. 14, 2004

The mayor of Bolivar, Missouri (pop. 9,000) was given an ultimatum by his doctor: Get more exercise or face serious medical consequences. The mayor responded by creating a program to get more people involved with exercise, called "Walk and talk with the mayor." The mayor now takes walks at least three times per week, with 20-50 citizens each time. His health and strength have improved greatly and he has been an inspiration in the community to promote physical activity. I confess that a lot of politicians who have run for office have been a great disappointment to me. But this walking mayor, now that's a different story.

"Our national flower is the concrete cloverleaf." :: Lewis Mumford

"Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age." :: Jeanne Moreau

FITnet Dec. 2, 2004

In 1949, Popular Mechanics magazine went out on a limb and made a prediction on the eventual weight of computers. In their crystal ball they had faith that computers would eventually weigh no more than 1.5 tons, and of course they were correct. In 1949 computers weighed well over two tons so the prediction was for a 25% weight loss. Over the years computers have lost about 75 pounds a year (on average) as they have become more and more efficient. The population of users on the other hand has been gaining 1 to 2 pounds a year. Putting a stop to the progression and even deleting a few pounds is, according to my computations, an idea that makes a lot of sense.

"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." :: Pablo Picasso "The great thing about a computer notebook is that no matter how much you stuff into it, it doesn't get bigger or heavier." :: Bill Gates "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." :: Mark Twain

FITnet April 1, 2005

Today's message was inspired by the avalanche of messages I have been getting from people in Africa that want to share millions of dollars with me.

I know this email will reach you as a surprise, but need not to worry as I am using the only secured and confidential medium available to seek your assistance for partnership in a valuable transaction, which is fulfillment of a lifetime. I got your contact address from Internet media. I am Loof Lirpa, the son of the former head of state president of Congo-Kinshasha (then called Zaire) Mr. Laurent Desire Lirpa.

I am contacting you in order to ask for your assistance on this confidential matter, with full financial benefit for both of us. Before I go into further details please be informed that I am writing without any other person(s) pre-knowledge of my contacting you on this matter. I have information more valuable than the sum of thirty five Million US Dollar, more valuable than the secret sale of Diamond by my father before he was assassinated by his own lifestyle. One of his body guards (Rashid) would often bring him donuts and other junk and eliminate the need for my father to walk. I now come to know that his premature death has contributed to the billion-dollar sum paid by many for such choices. If you agree to help me in this matter a percentage of the money saved will be yours. Be well informed that your share will be deposited in your accounts. Some of these funds will also be shared by my family and me.

In April make some wise choices. Strive for at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day, strive to add physical activity to your routine, and keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and resting heart rate.

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When a Curves opened up in my area I wasn't surprised, they're becoming almost as ubiquitous as Starbucks. There had to be a reason why Curves was succeeding where Tai Kwon Do dojos and herbal wrap studios have failed, so I went with a friend to check out our local, newly minted Curves, with one part of me fascinated to see their success formula, but another looking for excuses why it wouldn't serve my particular needs. When you look for problems you'll find them, and I did. I did not like their hours; they closed at 7:30 pm Monday to Thursday and on Friday at 6 pm. Saturdays they were only open until 2:30 pm and on Sundays not at all!! This was outrageous, how did they expect a busy person such as myself to fit three 30 minute workouts into their circa 1950 hours?? They were open at 6 am most mornings but I chose not to let that alter my indignation. I just wasn't going to join the herd and modify my schedule and get on the Curves bandwagon.

So much for first impressions. There was something about their easy acceptance and lack of hype that I liked and the hours of availability were not the problem I chose to make them. On reflection I realized that the only restrictions were the ones I was putting on myself. I have now been a Curves member for 7 months and sing its praises far and wide and am now putting them down on paper.

Maybe it was dissatisfaction with my fitness and figure that led me to Curves in the first place, because after declining to join because of restrictive hours, I began my own weight loss and exercise program. I increased my daily walking to an average of 13,000 steps per day and significantly restricted my intake of calories. After three months I was 20 lbs lighter, walking up a storm and looking to improve the strength and mobility of my upper body. Now I was ready for Curves and the hours were not a problem if the strength work helped prevent osteoporosis and put a bit of Swank in my upper body. In retrospect, getting in shape to join Curves was rather like cleaning the house before the cleaning lady comes.

Like many fitness programs the concept of Curves is not new, but the packaging is. Circuit training was developed in the 1950's as a way of combining cardiovascular conditioning with specific muscle strength and endurance training. The Curves set-up is a series of hydraulic machines in a circle with a "recovery" station between each one. The staff are great at helping you use the correct technique to get the most out of every machine. Once you have the technique down, they encourage you to increase the intensity and number of reps to maximize the benefits of your workout. It is easy to get complacent and go through the motions, so staff encouragement is a timely reminder. To this end, a brightly colored bracelet is available that you can put on when you arrive in order to "Curve It Up". This alerts the staff that you would like a more intense workout and they will work with you on each machine to help you keep on task—almost like having a personal trainer. Unlike free weights, hydraulics work in both directions exercising two different muscle groups concentrically (shortening) with each exercise. It is reported that this results in less post-exercise muscle soreness than doing comparable work with free weights. The machines are placed in such a way as to work upper and lower body muscles in rotation and no muscle group gets really exhausted as you switch from a machine to a recovery station every 30 seconds. After 3 times around the machines (or in some locations 2 or 2 1/2 times around depending on the number of stations) you have finished the workout part of the routine and do a 4 to 5 minute series of stretches. Voila! 30 minutes later you are out of the door and feeling great about what you have just done.

The single greatest appeal of Curves for busy women is that in 30 minutes they can complete a carefully choreographed series of exercises, which is a very good investment of time and money.

On my first visit, the staff gave me a tour and did a figure analysis, took my weight and measurements (this is a good time to wear a bulky sweater!) and discussed my fitness goals and any health issues. Then it was time to be introduced to the equipment. This was my first time to use any kind of weight equipment and it felt strange. I took to some machines right away while others took longer for me to feel comfortable. A key tag lets you sign in quickly at the door and the computer screen flashes up the number of workouts you've done and any reminders, such as weigh-in day and happy birthday, which is an excellent use of technology in an exercise setting. The weigh-in and measurement day is once a month. The measurements are taken around the upper arm, fullest part of the bust, waist, hips, stomach and upper thigh. They are then compared to the previous month's measurements and the differences calculated. On my first weigh-in day, I had lost a few inches, which was great, but my weight had gone up! I was reminded that muscle weighed more than fat for a given volume and I felt better. In seven months, eating fairly healthy meals, but with only moderate caloric restriction, I've lost 11 1/2 inches and 5 pounds. During this time I have maintained my walking routine averaging over 10,000 steps per day.

At my local Curves, the staff are friendly and very helpful; there is lots of laughter and there are games/draws/giveaways for anyone who wants to join in. If you do 3 workouts in a week you are entitled to a "Curves Buck" and can buy Curves merchandise (socks, water bottles, t-shirts, etc.) when you have collected enough. A birthday workout rewards you with 5 "Curves Bucks".

My local Curves is a great supporter of causes and regularly gives to charities such as "Women In Need", "Island Breaststrokers" and Christmas toy drives and encourages all its members to join in. They enter teams of staff and members in charity runs such as the Times/Colonist 10k run for Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon (which I will be running in this year for the first time) and the Run for the Cure.

Perhaps the biggest testament to the way in which Curves appeals to women is that they now have 8000 locations and over 3,000,000 members worldwide. These are numbers which would impress even McDonalds and if millions of people start spending 1/2 hour a day burning calories instead of shoveling in fast food we might start to see a leveling off of the statistics relating to obesity. I am amazed at the number of women I know who go to Curves. I often meet them and comment on how great they are looking and when they mention that they are Curves devotees we laugh and exchange exercise stories, almost like sorority sisters.

When I can get a great workout, have fun, laughter and encouragement, enter to win prizes, support local charities and feel great all within 1/2 hour—I'll keep on going straight to Curves for a long time.

:: author Beverley Mason is the self same Speakwell asset many of you may have already spoken to when you've contacted our offices in Victoria.

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:: Rob Dyke

This piece of "research" needs a context. By the time you read this in "Well" I'll be well on my way up Everest as cook and mountain roadie to the British team. If all goes well I should get pretty close to the summit and will let you know how a pedometer performs at that altitude.

ice crevasse

When I come down from the mountain I will turn my attention to swimming and my attempt to become the first person to swim the 1500 cold kilometers around Vancouver Island.

As part of my preparation for Everest I have been doing daily trips up 2 of the modest 'mountains' near Victoria, Mount Finlayson and Mount Work. When climbing the latter, I just tell people I'm going to Work, which makes me seem quite normal.

My sister's dog, Emma Jane, keeps me company on my daily ascents and on my runs around Thetis Lake. Recently, she has been wearing a pedometer. Emma Jane is not on a leash so the distance she travels is not standardized. However, it's been interesting to experiment putting a petometer on a dog and also to note the impact of vigorous exercise on a dog who's relatively inactive when I'm away.

Literature Search

In any research project the first step is to survey the academic literature. Sure enough there was plenty of information about how dogs move, much of it almost unreadable to the casual observer. A typical example is the work of J W Blaszczyk, who wrote on the subject of "Gait transitions during long distance, unrestrained locomotion". This was carefully conducted and contained observations such as, "In contrast to the clear border between symmetrical gaits, the dogs switched to gallop at any speed within the trot (most frequently between 1.5 and 2.6 m/s)."

What this all amounted to was that typically the movements of each side of the dog mirror each other while it walks or trots, but become asymmetrical when it breaks into a gallop.

Attaching the Petometer

The easiest method for a dog to wear a pedometer is on its collar and after some experimentation this became the standard procedure with Emma Jane, who objected to having one attached to her tail. Robert Sweetgall, in his book "Pedometer Walking", reports that he put a rubber band around the front leg of his dog (a Shepherd/Lab/Cocker mix) and clipped a pedometer to that. He notes that the dog did 218 steps to his own 124, which is a very neat ratio of almost 2 to 1. However, 124 steps is about one football field and I'd have liked to know about other extended trials and how adept his dog became at removing the annoying impediment from its leg.

I found that on a steady walk the side to side bobbing of Emma's tail nicely reflected the pattern of her walk but she disliked having the pedometer attached to her tail and this 'experiment' was not designed to make my dog miserable, (Obviously there are also problems in keeping the pedometer anything like vertical if it is attached to a dog's tail.) so the collar became a good compromise for man and beast.

Results

There was a higher dog to human step ratio on the Thetis trail because of the numerous diversions of other dogs, humans and things to chase. The reason that there are 3 human trials and only 2 dog trials was an unauthorized swim by Emma Jane! The Omron pedometer was soaked and I could see water in the display. To my amazement, after 4 days of drying out the petometer came back to life and still functions perfectly.

When attached to the dog's collar, a pedometer records approximately 1 1/4 'steps' for each human step. I'm sure this will vary with the size of the dog, whether or not the dog is on a leash, the type of terrain and many other variables. I hope this will be a stimulus for you to try some experiments with your own dog.

Living with my sister, Emma Jane is spoiled, only moderately active and, in the words of my sister, "chunky". In one month of trotting up mountains and round lakes her weight went from 88 lbs down to 83 lbs, which is about 5% of her body weight. I know that Martin often says that getting a dog will help humans lose weight because they need to be walked each day. In my case it was a human helping a dog lose weight.

Observations and Anecdotes

The pedometer seemed most accurate when the dog ran (galloped) and was reduced when the dog walked. This is similar to humans where pedometers often record less well with slow or intermittent movement.

If your dog has long hair, look all the way round their collar before assuming the pedometer fell off. I once re-walked an entire trail only to discover the pedometer still on Emma Jane's collar, hidden in a role of fur.

If you leave your dog at home during the day you can gage their activity. Emma left on her own is very, for lack of better words, lazy. Over the course of a day in the house only 200 steps were taken. Coincidently, this is about 3 trips to her food bowl. If you employ one of those dog-walking services this would be a great way to seem how much exercise your dog is truly getting.

Once I began my 'research' I quickly re-christened my pedometer a 'petometer' and could see great potential for marketing 'petometers' to the millions of dog owners in North America. But somebody was ahead of me and when Bev Mason and Ron Nye were setting up the article they both found internet sites advertising 'petometers'. If you'd like not go to this site

Ultimately, the pedometer experiments are just another way to have fun with your dog.

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Children need physical education and children need physical activity. The most innovative program I saw in 2004 provides both. Not only that, but it has a cognitive component where customized questions can be flashed onto the screen to promote learning, reinforce previous instruction and take advantage of the link between movement and cognition.

Cool Zebra™ uses a DVD format to teach high energy hip-hop routines with the video demonstrations led both by professionals and youth instructors. The music is contemporary and the flexible format means that kids can get physical activity in spaces other than a formal gymnasium. There will be a major feature on Cool Zebra™ in Summer 'Well' 2005.

Enough is Abundance to the Wise, But Not the Eyes

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign report dramatic evidence of the importance of visual cues in the control of food intake in the current issue of Obesity Research, a leading nutrition journal.

The researchers served a free soup lunch to 54 adults, half of whom ate from normal 18-ounce soup bowls, while the other half ate from identical bowls that, unbeknownst to the participants, were slowly refilled through tubing connected to out-of-sight soup cauldrons. (What will these researchers think of next?)

Those who ate out of the refilling bowls consumed 73 percent more soup than did participants who ate from the normal soup bowl during the 20-minute lunch.

Although they averaged 113 more calories than those eating from normal bowls, those eating from the bottomless bowls believed they consumed the same number of calories as the other participants and rated themselves as being no more full.

"People use their eyes to count calories and not their stomachs," lead researcher Brian Wansink, professor of marketing and of nutritional science at Illinois, said. "This can be dangerous to our diets."

Because we appear to judge our food intake by visual cues, such as an empty bowl, Wansink said that people worried about overeating should carefully consider the size of portion servings in restaurants and in their kitchens.

General Motors Weighed Down with Medical Costs

General Motors spends more on health (sick) care than they do on steel. 30% of their work force are obese and the average annual cost for an obese employee is $6,500. Drug spending has increased 270% in 10 years. These bloated costs add more than $1500 to the cost of each vehicle GM produces. This is not necessarily the fault of GM, who offers negotiated discounts at gyms nationwide for their employees. It's easy to understand why manufacturing and some service jobs are sent offshore.

Jamie Oliver Does School Dinners

I love the fact that the Cockney super chef Jamie Oliver has now turned his attention to the least fashionable meal we know, the school dinner. Go to his site.

Now that most kids have access to cell phones with cameras Jamie is encouraging them to take pictures of their school meals and email them in to create a gallery of shame and fame. The site is full of practical ideas to involve kids in the food they eat.

I believe our goal should be to make our schools a place where students get exposed to decent nutrition. This means getting all soft drinks and soft drink signage out of schools, purging vending machines of high calorie, low nutrition snacks and making sure that any food served in the schools has healthy ingredients.

Note: I've heard many educators say that "If we don't sell the pop and junk food, somebody else will." There might be some truth to that, but it also happens to be the rationale of virtually every drug pusher who sells drugs to kids.

Feeling the Heat

It's said that people don't change when they see the light, but when they feel the heat. It appears as though politicians, academics and administrators are finally feeling the heat of unfit, overweight children. Every state and province seems to have multiple initiatives to get children moving and to improve their nutrition. I'm glad to see it, but you have to be careful of those leaders whose primary activity is jumping on and off the bandwagons. I suspect that much of the money spent on 'research' would be better invested putting trained physical educators into all elementary schools and supporting quality daily physical education.

This might sound a little cynical but it's not, right now children need practical programs of play. In fact, you could do a little riff on the letter 'P'.

Children need:

1. Parents who set an example of active living.
   
2. Parks and open spaces.
   
3. Physical education daily and of high quality in their schools.
   
4. To become Pedestrians. The decline in the number of school children who walk to school over the past 25 years has been dramatic. Parents drive children to school for safety reasons, not considering what is really 'unsafe' for their child is to be inactive and overweight.
   
5. Programs. Creative, high-energy programs in schools, recreation centers, parks and at home, which will encourage vigorous movement.
   
6. To be Participants and not spectators.
7. Play that is active.

Just a few 'P's', which will help raise the activity level of our children. A reminder to parents: 'what you do shouts so loud that your children can't hear what you say.'

I would overwhelm you if I tried to mention even a percentage of the exciting programs that are evolving around North America. One that covers a lot of the 'P's' is Silken Laumann's Active Kids Movement designed to harness the power of play through community action networks.

Silken shares a 'rowing moment' with TV Ontario host Jackie
for the Don't Sit Still Tour, at Burlington Ontario, March 2005

The old phrase "go outside and play" is more important than ever.

Silken is hosting a new 13-part parenting series on Rogers Television titled "Enfagrow Toddler Years". This series premieres on Thursday, April 7th and explores the development stages of toddlerhood and the real-life challenges of parenthood. For more information visit www.toddleryears.ca

Becel Promotes Heart Healthy Steps

My recently purchased 2 lb tub of Becel Light came with a CD ROM fitted neatly on the lid. It includes a 28-day calendar, which features daily wellness suggestions and provides a progression towards heart health. Running Room™ is obviously a major sponsor as there is a video of the charismatic Running Room™ owner, John Stanton, talking about walking and reminding us that Running Room™ has also protected the title of Walking Room™. Like the rest of the CD his talk is full of common sense and practical ideas to get moving. For legal reasons he probably has to say it, but it always seems a bit silly to me that people "see their doctor" before starting a walking program. The people who really need to see their doctor are the ones who propose to do no exercise at all. The package includes a 15% off coupon for shoes from Running Room™.

Weight Loss Pill Not the Answer

Writing in the always-interesting Ardell Wellness Report, Don Ardell reported on a new weight loss pill, which has been tested in Europe. A drug called Rimonabant appeared to help a subject sample of 1507 morbidly obese people lose an average of 16 lbs and maintain the weight loss for 2 years without some of the undesirable side-effects often associated with weight loss medications. (eg dizziness, nausea, anal leakage and depression). The pill will soon be marketed in France under the brand name of 'Acomplia'. Don points out that the control group who took a placebo lost an average of 5 lbs, which is not bad for a sugar pill.

Don's concern is a familiar one in that we are again looking for a medical solution to what is nearly always a lifestyle problem.

Small Companies Walk Their Way to Wellness

Small businesses and organizations can't afford to build gymnasia and other fitness facilities, but they can encourage their employees to walk. The Mosaic Potash 2004 Fitness Challenge is typical of the many walking programs that are springing up across the continent. The following summary was sent to Speakwell by Lynda Gordon, Executive Assistant at Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine.

Mosaic Potash 2004 Fitness Challenge

The Healthy Lifestyles Committee at Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine put together a pedometer program for their summer "2004 Fitness Challenge". Mosaic Potash purchased the pedometers, and employees were encouraged to 'buy in' by paying half the cost of their pedometer to participate in the program.

Log sheets were used and people were put to the task of achieving and maintaining 10,000 steps per day. The personal log sheets were verified and recorded by the Committee once a month for a 6-month period from June to November. Prizes were awarded along the way for achievement of a certain total of steps, including water bottles and t-shirts. Also, for every 100,000 steps completed, participants earned an entry into a draw. Three draws were held - the end of July, end of September, and the grand prize draw at the end of the program in November. There were 2 recipients for each of the July and September draws, winning portable stereo units. The grand prize was one of 4 gift certificates for a Dr. Paul Schwann Fitness Assessment at the University of Regina.

The program was a tremendous success with over 120 employees purchasing pedometers. Not everyone that purchased a pedometer actively took part in the program, but we were able to collectively walk 94,335,872 steps!!! It was a great way to encourage employees to get active and we are planning another pedometer program in the fall of 2005, this time with a new twist as we are challenging 2 of our sister sites to "get active" as well.