We Are The Largest    

The title begs the question, we are the largest what?

The answer is that the United States is the largest leading industrialized country in a few categories that are not flattering. We spend on average $6100 on health care per person each year while other leading industrialized countries spend $2700. The percentage of Americans who are obese is 31%, while the percentage in other leading industrialized countries is 15%. These statistics are provided in the September 2007 issue of Health.com magazine. There are areas that I want the United States to be considered the biggest and best; obesity is not one of them.

This great country was built on a vision and strong will. The vision remains to this day, thanks to the Declaration of Independence: “that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The will required to fight for ones freedom has been demonstrated repeatedly through the United States history. Americans have stood up as a Nation and decided to draw the line in the sand that no one can cross, when it is a matter that concerns our freedom. Without the vision of the Founding Fathers and the document they created, and the will of the people who desired freedom to fight for that freedom, the United States would not be the great country it is today.

The vision and will utilized to create this great country is now needed to save it from a health disaster. The consequences of being obese include: premature death, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, some cancers, type-2 diabetes, asthma, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis and more. The statistics indicate that Americans are twice as likely to be obese than others in the industrial world. We spend more than twice the amount of money on healthcare annually. Statistics indicate that we are not a healthy nation. We each have the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness in our own way as long as we do not infringe on others pursuit of the same ideals. In all the “what ifs” that our Founding Fathers went through when creating the vision of our nation, I just can not envision that they ever contemplated a lack of will could spiral to unhealthy habits to be a down fall.

It is time for you to make a difference in your life and the lives of your family. Grab hold of the vision that will earn you a higher quality of life, to enjoy your liberty and find your happiness. Bring the family along to break the chains of habits and status quo. Do not accept feeling tired every morning that you raise your head from the pillow and exhausted every night when you fall asleep. Follow the steps created by many before you who have the vision and summoned the will to make a change. It will take effort, time and determination – but all accomplishments worth doing take these decisions.

The concept of training smarter, not harder is the cornerstone of a successful path to reach the vision you are now holding in you mind. Seek out resources to help you help yourself and your family. Parents’ always want better for their children, yet the path we are currently on expects a shorter lifespan for our children then our own. The good news is that our bodies can be trained and improved. Start slowly at first, only two or three 30 minute walks per week for the first three weeks. Then gradually increase over the next 12 week period to where you are walking or running 30 minutes three to four times a week. In this simple fashion, you are training smarter and more likely to have the will to continue with the exercise program, therefore on the correct heading to obtain your vision.

Are you ready to help our country continue to be the greatest country in the world through your vision and will? I believe you can and am confident you will. 

Winnersville Triathlon was held yesterday. The distances included a 0.25 mile swim, 14 mile bike and 3.6 mile run. Results will be shared on the Get Active South Georgia radio show at 6PM every Wednesday evening on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA.

Monday, September 10th there will be a Fitness 101 class offered for people interested in finding out how to start or improve their walking or running programs. Class starts at 7PM at Get Active – Running and more store on North Ashley Street – use www.getactivevaldosta.com to get the directions.

Wendy’s and Wild Adventures are teaming up to present the Wendy’s 5K Wild Adventures Run for Adoption to be held at Wild Adventures Theme Park. September 29th needs to be set aside for you and the family to be involved with this event. Applications are now available at the store or we will email you a copy. The first 50 applications received will have a pass to get into the park that day. Go to www.getactivevaldosta.com and request an application and one will be sent quickly. 

The 4th edition of the St John Road Race is being presented on October 27 at 8:30AM. People who have requested an application through email have already started to register. Go to www.getactivevaldosta.com and request your application today.

November 10th is the date set for the Great Strides walk to be held at Wild Adventures. This event is a fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis – “adding tomorrows every day.” In the past, Valdosta’s event has been the largest fund raiser event in the country with $200,000 raised last year. The community of Tyler, Texas has their sights on raising more funds than Valdosta can…but Tyler is not aware of the Winnersville attitude that Valdostan’s and South Georgia hold so dear. Tyler will be surprised with the increased amount raised by Valdosta’s event this November. Realize that the real winners are the people with CF who benefit from the research done by the scientists courtesy of the money raised by people just like you. Form a team of co-workers, friends or family members, call 404-325-6973 or visit http://greatstrides.cff.org to register.  If you have questions, write me an email and your questions will be answered.

There are weekly, FREE activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM for runs from 1.5 to 8 plus mile runs. Thursday morning is a women’s ONLY run, and the other runs are all-comers. Cyclists can meet for rides on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com.

Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Do you want to share what motivates you to being active? Send an email to me at Get Active – Running and more.

If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA to receive additional information or to ask questions.

Thank you,

Todd & Alice Smoot

GET ACTIVE 
Running and more

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA as heard on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA Wednesdays
6 to 7 PM - call into the show at 229-241-1059
GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA  as read weekly in the Sunday VDT - look for us
www.getactivevaldosta.com
3200-C North Ashley Street
Valdosta, GA 31602
229-219-0010
229-219-0012 (F)

In the long run, one must have goals to succeed.

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine