National Fitness Challange, "YARC"

[windwalker]

All or at least most of you know that the Panda is often completely off the wall and at times totally full of Pooh. No contest there "guilty as charged".

However, a few days ago I had a dream. I dreamed that I had contacted the new First Lady, after the election, and told her about the fitness crisis in our wonderfull country. I told her that it could be her legacy to turn us around and help us to stop destroying ourselves from within.

Here are some of the things we did to help turn the country arounda nd get us on the path to being a healthier nation:

In order for a city to get any federal funds they had to have an ongoing plan to make the city more walk and bike friendly. Sidewalks, shoulders on the roads, overpasses for pedestrians and bikes over major roads. Trails for running, walking and biking. Special interest in making the city an easier place to comute by "people power".

All hospitals must provide a wellness center offering a totally free program to stop smoking. Patches, gum and support with no cost to the individual. All public buildings would be smoke free, NO EXCEPTIONS. Wellness centers would also offer free programs like TOPS and WW.

Schools must have mandatory group PE programs. When I was in Japan, I saw the schools have every single child out for calistetics every morning and every afternoon. Collage students who choose to get a degree in the health or fitness field would be eligiable for special government assistance, to fill shortages in health care and PE teachers.

Entry fees, travel expences and lodging for doing races would be tax deductable. In addition business owners who sponsored a race would get a double deduction for their contribution.

I know this is a far fetched idea but I believe in magic and destiny and that things happen when it's time. So when the election is over I'm going to follow up with some letters and emails sending suggestions along to the new First Lady to tell the new president about. Help me out with other ideas that I could send forward. WISH has a message and even if we are a tiny light in the darkness if enouth of us light our flame we can be seen.

"YARC" Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Dave, I am not sure how these ideas would work into your "plan" but I wanted to put them out there for you to think about:

1. Our schools have removed all soda and juice machines from schools along with the snack vending machines. The kids are only offered water as an option to purchase in school.
2. When I ran the annual 5K here named after my DH's grandmother I overheard one of the fitness teachers tell the students running that they got credit in their class for completing the race.
3. Any student enrolled in the health/fitness college field should be required to also participate in a fitness program that is documented. Our local University has a health and fitness center (my MIL was the director when it opened) and the students are offered access to all classes and programs available. Why not have a link when the sign into the gym and a computer generated program that they document what they have done and how much they work out. As a member of my hospital's gym program, I log in with a special card and they document that I workout at least 2 times a week, otherwise they do not pay for my membership.

Just a few things to ponder working into the programs somewhere. I think this is an AWESOME idea and I am so glad that you decided to follow your dream down this path. You are certainly an inspiriation to us all!!

 

[windwalker]

Thank you Lisa. I like the idea of taking soda and snack machines out of schools.

On the subject of kids. Most of the damage to a persons eyes, as well as their skin, by the sun is done by the time a person is 21. Because young people are out in the sun more before than after age 21. But kids are less likely to have sunglasses, if they wear glassess with an RX. Sunglasses like sunscreen is vital for children. But parents usually will not spend the money for sunglasses for the kids. The cheap sunglasses you get at discount stores have a sprayed on UV protection that can wear off pretty quickly. Good sunglasses (not expensive designer brands) are a good investment.

You don't smoke to keep from getting the health problems from that but not wearing sunscreen and sunglasses can lead to skin cancer and eye problems in you golden years.

Back on subject now. Yes excellent idea for collage credit for races.

"YARC" Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Another idea is nutrition classes as young as middle school teaching portion sizes, calorie contents, label reading, proper nutrition and the roll that exercise plays in all of this. Sunscreen/sunglasses education could also be part of this. Smoking and drug education also.

Just as a FYI, both of my kids DO wear sunglasses, polarized and you can find these for young kidlets as well as peanut heads (that is what we call my DD13 who can wear her brothers hats/helmets (DS6) at Olympia Sports for under $25 most of the time.

 

[scoolover]

Some day we can say that it all started with a dream. After the election, I am in for sending a letter.

 

[windwalker]

Some day we can say that it all started with a dream. After the election, I am in for sending a letter.

Do you think more people would consider training for a disney or Chi town ect... marathon if they could deduct the trip if they have a finishers certification?

I will send the letters and emails, everyone knows I have a big mouth. There will be a shoe suprise for my walkers coming soon. If I believe I'm right I'm going for it. The worst that could happen is that I'm ignored.

Pesky "YARC" Panda

 

[twoWDWfools]

I think it's a great idea and a fantastic thing to do!

Our schools have also removed soda and snack machines and started offering at least one healthy alternative in the lunch room.

We also have mandatory PE thru high school however those on sports teams, in the marching band or ROTC are exempt.

Love the idea of starting nutrition education early. Another idea would be to require a semester of basic cooking skills for high school students. I've found that people who know how to cook are more likely to do so and if paired with nutrition info they can keep calories/fat under control. Think there should be a large emphasis on cooking/eating while at college before they get there.

Personally I would love a tax deduction for participating in events but not sure how much of an incentive that would be for others. Would be concerned you'd wind up with people doing very little and just showing up at events and getting injured.

Also, my company reimburses us up to $400/year for health club memberships, home gym equipment, race entry fees, etc. Think the government should offer a tax deduction for same thing.

 

[scoolover]

Do you think more people would consider training for a disney or Chi town ect... marathon if they could deduct the trip if they have a finishers certification?

I will send the letters and emails, everyone knows I have a big mouth. There will be a shoe suprise for my walkers coming soon. If I believe I'm right I'm going for it. The worst that could happen is that I'm ignored.

Pesky "YARC" Panda

I bet more would do it once word got out. It would help me, that's for sure.

 

[windwalker]

I bet more would do it once word got out. It would help me, that's for sure.

Liz it would be hard to cheat since you would have to finish to get the deduction.

Another thing it would help is to get americans to actually take a vacation. Some countries have mandatory vacations for workers. Here we have a lot of people who just sell their vacation time back at the beginning of each year.

Of course the vacations should have to be taken on US soil.

Vacation Panda

 

[twoWDWfools]

Sorry, missed typing a word there... Should have read - "Would be concerned you'd wind up with people doing very little training and just showing up at events and getting injured."

And I totally agree on the vacation part. We can't sell back, only roll a week forward and you would not believe the number of people who only have 2-3 weeks to begin with that every year roll those 5 days. Keep hearing "oh there is just no way I can take vacation...I'm far too busy". Buddy, the job got done before you, it'll get done after you, we'll survive you being out for 5 days.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Interesting YARC.

I definitely feel the nutrition classes are beneficial. Our boys were given a weekly nutrition class when we had them privately enrolled in the gymnastics program here and were on the competitive teams. I think they have taken this information into adulthood. (They, as we all, do not always follow the better choices, but they are defitenly better positioned with the information.) I WISH I had been given more of that when we were in school. My Mom made sure we instructed as we sat at the dinner table every night and she explained her menu choices. We were getting suttle training.

I love the idea of gym membership as a type of incentive.

Healthy attitudes are definitely always something that we want to share.