Celebrate the One’s Who Recognize It...

The “it” is whether a parent, or their children, have a good handle on their weight status. Weight status is referring to the right size for a particular gender and height.

Information, studies and reports abound speaking of how our society is getting larger, more obese. One may think it is rather easy to see whether an individual is overweight by a little or a lot. Interestingly enough, a recent survey of children already under treatment for type 2 diabetes at a Vanderbilt Clinic demonstrates that both the parents and the children misunderstand their weight status.

In the survey, parents and the children were asked, among other questions: “do you think your child’s/your weight is very overweight, slightly overweight, about right, slightly thin or very thin.” The determination that 87 percent of the children were already classified as obese by the most recent standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 41 percent of the parents and 35% of the children indicated that the children are “very overweight.” Less than 50% of the parents and a third of the children recognize the situation. This finding in a group of people who should have already been fully informed about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise toward their well-being and higher quality of life.

Of the parents who reported their children’s weight to be “about right,” 60 percent got it right and recognize their children’s weight status. Unfortunately, that means that 40 percent of the parents who thought their children’s weight were about right, had children who fell in the 95th percentile of weight and are classified as obese by US Government Standards.

This survey certainly demonstrates that the first step in taking control of your weight management is to realize that there is a need to do so. The first step is generally the hardest, however once you come to the realization that something needs to be done, you have the power to make it happen. It takes change. This type of change is scary for most people, however the benefits are endless and the results are positive. What else can you make the decision to follow a path, and there is nearly nothing that can get in your way. You have a direct impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones, once you realize that you need to.

The power of reaching your accomplishment is immense. Living at 205 pounds on a frame shorter than 5 feet 9 inches is not healthy and made me and my family unhappy. I made a change in my life – down 70 pounds – and the weight has been off for over two years and counting. I always had the power within me to make the change – I finally had enough and acted upon what I knew to be the right path for me and my family. I am enjoying life, my family and myself much more than three years ago. You have all that is required to make the same positive change in your life – I encourage you to do so…start your path to a higher quality of life this week.

More information about events in the surrounding area of Valdosta include:

April 5th – Berrien County 3rd Annual Puppy Trot. This event includes a 4 mile and a 1 mile Dog Walk. The events are open to all walkers and runners, just sign up for the event that appeals to you the most. There is a cool t-shirt with a fun design, awards and medals for all the Dog Walk participants. Proceeds benefit the Berrien County Humane Society.

April 12th – Valwood presents Victory for Victoria, a 10K, 5K and 1 mile event on the Valwood campus. Proceeds benefit the St. Jude’s Brain Research Program. Applications are now available.

April 19th – Hope and Faith 5K Run and Walk is presented by HUMC and SpaceMakers – Custom Closet Interiors.  This is an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Over 140 people enjoyed this event last year with 10 year olds all the way up to 77 year olds joining in on the fun and festivities.

May 17th – Run for the Children – 5K and 1 mile events for the whole family. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center for Lowndes County – a non-profit organization that strives to promote prevention and awareness of child abuse and to minimize the trauma to children who have been abused. The event is being hosted by Leadership Lowndes Class of 2008.

All of these events will be good for the entire family to be involved. Be sure to put the dates on your calendar right now. Applications are either at Get Active, or will be soon.  You will find how much fun and encouraging these events are and you will want to participate in others coming in May thru July 2008, including Baytree 8K on July 4th. Make the decision now to be a part of these events – raise your bar.

There are weekly, FREE activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active Running and more on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM for all-comer runs from 4 to 8 plus mile runs. For more information on the runs, check out the web page www.getactivevaldosta.com , call or send an email. Cyclists can meet for rides on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the cycling rides, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com.

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 program on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7PM on Talk 92.1 FM 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 Talk 92.1 FM Tuesdays 6 to 7 PM
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