What's Your Cup of Tea?

I spent all day yesterday at an oriental dance workshop led by Morocco, America's premier oriental (belly) dance instructor and historian. She's been traveling around the Middle East studying tribal and folk dances for 49 years. She's 68 now, and still teaches four-hour long workshops on weekends all over the world. By the end of the workshop, she's still dancing--and most of us students are pretending to take notes because we're worn out.

I took belly dance the first time because I was sick of grad school and wanted to do something completely weird. Belly Dance was the weirdest thing in the Parks and Rec catalog. At first, I hated it--I was convinced my body didn't move that way. But I'd paid for the class, so I stuck it out--and at the end, decided to try it again.

It's thirteen years later and this is now my favorite form of exercise. Other people run (like the 101-year old London marathoner). Some swim. Some hike. Some walk. I enjoy all of those things--but when I'm 68, I'll still be dancing.

What about you? Have you found it yet? Have you found the form of movement your life will take for the rest of your life? Or are you content to just sit in your passenger seat, your recliner, your wheelchair until the bitter end?

P.S. If you want to give belly dance a try, the next six-week sessions of Belly Dance 101 and Belly Dance Fitness start September 2. Discounts are available--come shimmy with me.

KY vs CO: Fat Wars Part Deux

As promised, I have thoroughly investigated the lifestyle differences between Kentuckians and Coloradans.

Okay, no I haven't. I have investigated the differences between tourists in CO and some Kentuckians, and I have some information about why Coloradans weigh less on average than we do.

Before I get into my hard-hitting investigative journalism, however, I want to thank those of you who commented and e-mailed me on this hot topic. I especially appreciated insights about the socio-economic relationship between weight and income. It's easier to be thin when you are rich--calories are cheap, but nutrients are expensive. And I, like some readers, am dismayed by the increasing lack of physical activity in schools (even though I hated, hated, hated P.E. growing up!)

Back to Colorado! They have mountains. Really, really big mountains. In fact, the altitudes in the Rockies add about 10 beats per minute to the average person's heart rate. And the faster you heart beats, the more calories you burn.

I actually tested this one--I wore my heart rate monitor one day while we were hiking in the mountains. While at rest in the car my heart rate was consistently 10 beats faster than normal. It jacked up to my aerobic zone when I got out of the car simply to walk to the national park latrine (of course, that could have been anxiety--if I am doomed to hell, I'm convinced I'll spend eternity in a port-a-potty). I put the monitor on my husband (who has the heart rate of a coma patient) and he saw similar results.

Thing is, Coloradans actually use those mountains. On Saturday, we thought we'd take one last little hike before the wedding and the long drive home. Getting to the parking lot of the trail, however, was an adventure of it's own. Cars stretched down the road from the trailhead for miles, and park volunteers acted as traffic cops. We checked, and sure enough--all the plates were local. Although it's high tourist season at Rocky Mountain National Park, that doesn't stop the residents from using it for their weekend constitutional.

Of course, it's not enough to have access to physical activity and take advantage of that access. "Calories in" is the other side of the equation. Thus is raised the fascinating question--what do Coloradans eat?

Let's see . . . they eat gouda and apples and blintzes and escargot and halibut and salmon and chicken nuggets and frosties and chicken salads and--oh, wait. That's me.

I did see more "Whole Foods Markets" in Colorado than I've seen in any other state. The Safeway had a fantastic produce and organics section. But then again--I just got some terrific salsa from Remke's made in Florence. And I can buy all the high-end dairy I want at Kroger in Union.

There is no question in my mind that environment plays a major role in weight management (which is why I preach so much about managing your environment). But the resources are only part of the story. Our choices determine how happy the ending will be.

Why is Colorado the skinniest state in the nation? I don't have (and won't give) a laundry list of pat answers. Fact is, Coloradans, like the rest of us, are getting larger every day in spite of any natural or economic advantages. By their choices they are changing the fate of their state. Those of us in the other 49 can watch, learn--and make new choices of our own.

Radiant Fitness: National Fat War--Colorado vs. Kentucky

It's Monday morning and I'm in my Estes, Park, CO hotel room, preparing to take two boys and a toddler on a hike through Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Colorado is the skinniest state in the nation--only 19.2% are obese as of 2007. As as opposed to, say Kentucky, in which 28.7% of us are obese (currently, KY ranks as the 5th fattest state in the nation).

(Please note--obesity is a clinical term--these stats do not account for those who are simply clinically overweight.)

When she works to garner support for obesity prevention and health initiates, Boone County Representative Addia Wuchner often hears the dismissive claim, "We can't do that here. This is Kentucky, not Colorado."

The implication: Colorado is somehow innately superior to Kentucky, which is why Coloradans are thinner.

Perhaps it's environment. After all, I sit here on a cool morning in the Rocky Mountains, and because of elevation, my heart and lungs have to work harder (and burn more calories). Colorado has mountains! That must be the difference!

Oh, wait. Kentucky has those, too. Not as high, perhaps, but just as rugged and filled with trails, beauty, scenery and opportunities to explore.

Okay . . .perhaps it's in the DNA. After all, Coloradans are descended from hardy pioneer stock.

Oh, wait. Our Kentucky ancestors were blazing the trails years before anyone had even heard of Colorado.

Well, perhaps it's character. When the folks in Frankfort tell Addia, "This is Kentucky," they are implying that our love of southern-fried chicken on Sundays is an endemic character flaw. Kentuckians are simply morally incapable of making wise health choices. Addia finds this implication insulting, and so do I.

Nevertheless, I feel it is my duty as your personal trainer, fitness instructor, and would-be journalist to investigate the truth about Colorado vs. Kentucky in the American Fat War. I will throw myself into the trenches for your sake, hiking the trails (well the easy ones that take a stroller), visiting the eateries (does that Mexican restaurant serve organic Margaritas?) and interrogating the locals (namely, my new in-laws, whom I will meet at the wedding in Loveland this coming weekend).

I do this for you. So do something for me! Post a response below and weigh in on the fat wars--CO vs. KY. Why do you think their residents are thinner? What advantages and disadvantages do we have in Kentucky? What would you say to a legislator who says, "We can't build bike paths/fund pediatric obesity interventions/support smoking cessation classes/invest in pathways in parks, because we're not Colorado."

Hit "comments" below right now and a random poster (who hasn't won before in 2008) will win a free workout DVD!

Happy New (Fiscal) Year!

Okay,
It's no national holiday (wasn't that a great weekend?). It is, at best, a brief break in the work routine as the rush to complete FY08 purchasing, year-end reports, etc. comes to a close. But for some of you, it might signal a real beginning, a change in the same-old same-old. So why not take some time today to review your personal goals for 2008 as well?

Are you on track with your resolutions? Do you remember your resolutions? Are you cringing when you read the word "resolutions?" Were they realistic, measurable, attainable resolutions in the first place?

Today you may choose to resolve to make a fresh start in your personal as well as professional life. Revise a large goal. Set a small goal, such as "I will eat every tomato and zucchini given to me this summer." Weight loss often comes more naturally in the summer because of the increased produce and the increased discomfort excess weight creates. And on crisp, clear mornings it's easier to get outside for a walk.

On this day, (and on the next), you can begin again, if you choose!

P.S. As part of your new fiscal year plan, why not take belly dance classes? If you want to learn, take BD101. If you want to just shimmy off calories, take Belly Dance Fitness--or, for a great workout AND great savings, take both!