Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing disease, published a report this week highlighting obesity in America. For adults, the fattest state is Mississippi, where 1 out of 3 adults is obese; for kids, about 1 in every 4 kids is obese in Washington DC (although it isn’t a state). Also, obesity rates did NOT decline in any state!! To find out where your state ranks, go to the obesity report/summary and click on your specific state.

How can we protect our kids from becoming obese and how can we help those who are? Check out my previous post on physical activity websites for kids and stay tuned for more information on how we can try to reduce the prevalence of obesity! Feel free to post your comments on how you and your family are trying to stay slender and physically active. I look forward to your comments!

One of my favorite traditions in the summer is ice cream on a hot day. As it’s been very hot outside almost daily for the past several weeks, I have wanted ice cream almost daily too.

One way for me to enjoy ice cream is to buy light ice cream (my favorite is “slow churned“) and small ice cream cones at the grocery store. Every day, I have eaten a one-scoop ice cream cone after dinner. Because I am limited to how much ice cream I can fit on my cone, I am able to control my portions. However, give me a bowl and I can fill it quite full!

I’ve estimated my ice cream cone to be about 160-180 calories:
Light ice cream = ~110 - 140 calories/serving
Servings per container = 14
Number of servings I got out of the container = 12 - 14
Calories per cake cone = 20 calories/cone
Overall calorie intake = 160 - 180 calories
If you want to decrease your calories even further, choose a fat free or lighter ice cream or choose sherbet.

Therefore, if you are hungry for ice cream, instead of buying regular ice cream, with syrup, sprinkles, nuts, and whipped cream, buy the light ice cream and put it in a cone! It’s a sweet summer treat you can feel good about!

Ever since I was about 5 years old, I’ve been obese. It wasn’t until I left college that I really got things under control. I’m still a chunky dude, but my proportions have changed from all fat to half fat. Last year, I even ran a marathon (with Stacie of course).

But growing up, I was always under the false impression that if I did some sit-ups, that I would get a six-pack. I’m wrong. I can do as many sit-ups as I want, but it won’t change that gut sitting on top of my abs. Why not?

Basically, you can’t target your training to reduce fat in specific areas. If I wanted to reduce my stomach flab, or tone my thighs, or bulk up my biceps, I have to perform more than just one or two exercises. As I burn calories, my body decides from where to pull more to burn. I can’t say to it, “Now take from my butt, and then a bit from my love handles.” It doesn’t work that way. Sorry, I’m disappointed too.

So to get a rock hard body, for men or women, you need to do cardio workouts as well as strength training to both burn calories and build muscle. Start with walking and lifting milk jugs with water until you can move on to the stationary bike, elliptical trainer and heavier weights . And be careful to always monitor your health and limits with your doctor.

Tonight was the premiere of “Fat March” on ABC. Twelve individuals took the plunge to walk from Boston to Washington, DC–which is around 570 miles. Over 21 marathons in 10 weeks. That’s over 2 marathons a week!

This team isn’t a bunch of marathoners. They’re not super-fit individuals who work out at the gym. They’re normal people with struggles over the years that caused weight gain, all with a common goal: to lose weight (and win money).

And, (based on the first episode), they don’t have the amenities that you or I might have of showering often after a workout, working out in a cool gym, or sleeping in a warm comfortable bed. They are camping out and hiking the route. Can you imagine? I’m so proud of this team!!!!

They’re not immune to the challenges that each of us faces. They want to give up–in fact, one individual gave up in the first 3 days. They hurt (two men had to be taken to the emergency room). But as a team, they are in it together for the most part.

The twelve individuals topped out at a little over 2 tons (4046 lbs). The heaviest man weighed 519 pounds; the heaviest woman: 389 pounds. In just over a week, these 11 individuals (one dropped out) lost 119 pounds!!!

So, how does this impact you? If you are struggling to lose weight and are feeling discouraged, think about this: it doesn’t take a miracle, nor a gym membership, nor a strenuous workout. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to get in shape. All you need is a pair of walking shoes, some motivation, and a clean bill of health to walk from your doctor.

Getting in shape is all about moving–so get your walking shoes on and step outside! Make today the start of a new you and pledge to walk in support of the Fat March Team!