Fitspott

The "Brain Bike" - Perhaps Children Can Pedal Their Way To Straight A's?

David Gise — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:32:20 -0700

Fitspott can always count on Phil Lawler from PE4life.org to keep us up to date on the latest research detailing the link between exercise and learning. (aka Active Learning).

An exciting new piece of equipment that Phil was kind enough to share with us is called the "Brain Bike." The Brain Bike was developed by Brain Center America and combines a cardio workout with brain-stimulating exercises such as math problems, matching patterns and memory games, all on a computer screen attached to the bike.

The bike is being tested in Madison Junior High School, a school which resides in the Napperville School District. The Napperville School District received National attention over the past few years due to John Ratey's book Spark which detailed the amazing results (health, academic and behavioral) that exercise has had on their student body. (no pun intended)

About The Brain Bike

"It's like getting a morning coffee ... you hop on the bike for a few minutes and you train your cardio, train your brain and it makes you more in the mood for learning new skills," said Stephane Bergeron, president of Brain Center America.

The program can help with 16 cognitive functions such as focus, memory, word skills, processing speed and arithmetic - and can be adjusted to help riders of almost any age. Among other possibilities, developers say the brain exercises can help business people stay on top of their game and riders of any age combat the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

As the biker gets more answers correct, the questions get progressively harder.

"What studies have shown in medicine is your brain behaves like a muscle," Bergeron said. "The more you flex your brain, the more you exercise it, the bigger it gets, the stronger it grows and it really changes physiologically."

He said recent research shows people can generate new brain cells and improve connectivity in the brain. The NeuroActive programs can increase brain function by 20 percent, he says, the same amount the average adult loses over a 10-year period.

In addition to being programmed into the bike's computer, software also is available for the typical home or office computer and even iPhones.

Image and Content Source: The Daily Herald (Chicago)

Perhaps we will read about success stories from the Brain Bike in a sequel by John Ratey, Spark 2? Either way we will be tracking the progress of the Brain Bike as well as other innovative Active Learning intiatives that are gaining momentum throughout the country.

Spark - An Inspiring Book About How Exercise Can Improve Academic Performance

A Scary Statistic - Childhood Obesity Among AOL's Top Searches

The Family that Exercises Together, Stays Together!

David Gise — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:21:57 -0700

Given the choice between a long walk in the country, and a session in front of the computer, playing games, most youngsters would opt for the latter. Occasionally, chilling out with a computer game is no bad thing. When it becomes the only form of activity, a slippery path towards no exercise at all has been taken.

In many schools, physical education is being side-lined to make way for more academic studies, but it is just as important as anything else on the school’s curriculum. In some ways, it is more important, because of the life skills learned along the way. Skills such as teamwork, team-building, sharing, and so on.

Exercise does not play an important role in the lives of many people today. This is a shame because everyone who takes part in some form of activity – and, let’s face it, there are so many to choose from – benefits; even the family pup who accompanies its owners on a stroll around the park.

Many activities that families can do together cost next to nothing, and involve little in the way of equipment. The biggest commitment is time, and, for those who want their children to enjoy life, and be able to take on challenges as they grow up, the time spent is well worth the results.

A walk in the woods, on the beach, or in the local park, costs nothing. This is helpful whether you are a single Mom or Dad or just plain short on cash. It can be a time for the family to spend just catching up with each other, or it can be turned into a fun task-driven outing, perhaps collecting leaves for a nature table, or pebbles to paint. This way the younger members of the family can learn, while they enjoy themselves. With the right waterproof clothing, it shouldn’t even matter if it rains; in fact, most young children and the young at heart like me can think of nothing better than jumping in and out of puddles with their crock shoes on. Snow is even better with a toboggan or two, warm clothing, and the required accessories for the inevitable snowman.

Cycling is another activity that the whole family can enjoy together, even toddlers, with the provision of a special child seat that can be attached to an adult’s bicycle. Riding a bicycle can take you further afield, and whole days outing, complete with picnic, can be planned. Besides being great fun, cycling is one of the best forms of exercise, because it uses every part of the body, including the respiratory system. On a clear sunny day, there’s not much to beat a long bike ride for blowing away the stresses and strains of life. My daughter and I like to go downtown and shop with our flower baskets attached for our fun finds. Whether it is a ride up and down the cul-de-sac or a full out mountain trail you will be sure to enjoy it.

In the backyard, space and budget permitting, games and sports equipment, such as a basketball hoop, swing ball (my fav), or a mini Badminton court, can be set up. Small versions of goal nets are available to turn the yard into a soccer field. Indoors, table tennis is a great favorite. All these activities will burn up calories as well as induce a genuine ‘feel-good’ factor in everyone who takes part.

On days when it is simply impossible to venture outside, putting on some lively music and dancing round the kitchen table is great fun. Toddlers, in particular, enjoy this, probably due to their lack of inhibition, but parents, too, will find they can’t stop smiling as they dance.

For slightly less rigorous exercise, gardening is something that the whole family can participate in; digging, planting, and raking up leaves, use all the muscles and joints in the body. A further bonus is a blooming garden at the end of it. This year we are enjoying 5 different types of tomatoes. YUM!

Time spent now planning trips and ensuring that the family’s bicycles, and other equipment, are in good working order, will mean that taking time out for exercise, and the fun that automatically goes with it, will take little effort to organize into a regular item on the agenda. After just a month or so of ensuring that family members spend active time together each week, exercise will have become a normal part of life. The benefits will last a lifetime for everyone.

Oh the Fun. Take a ride Down the River and Hold On Tight!

David Gise — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:36:18 -0700

Whitewater rafting is a challenging and exhilarating sport the whole crew will enjoy. There are few activities that bring a family or friends together as a team better than a whitewater rafting trip. Whether it’s a multi-day or a one-day trip everyone will have fun. However, to ensure a safe trip there are some basic rowing maneuvers you’ll need to learn.

Before filling your boat with family and friends, take a river trip with an experienced oarsperson. If you know someone with experience that’s the best option, but paid guided trips are available on most commercially run rivers. If you want to learn to row, make sure the guide or friend understands your desire to show off! The only way to learn to row is to row. Plain and Simple.

Another way to learn the basics without the help of a guide or a friend is to take a raft out on a lake and row it around for a few hours. Get the hang of how the oars feel and how the boat moves. Try rowing every conceivable way, forwards, backwards, spinning, stopping and so on. Be warned, you’ll most likely feel sore the next day. But look at the fun! I am set to go down the Gully next weekend on a camping trip and am counting down the days.

Once you have the basic rowing strokes down it’s time to add moving river water. Don’t jump on the hardest river you can find (even if you feel like it's no sweat...it can be very dangerous), first break yourself in on a slow meandering stretch. If you’re unsure where to go, visit your local river shop or find a good guidebook. Most rivers have detailed maps and descriptions of what you’ll find on any stretch. Choose the mellowest stretch of river you can find.

Rivers are generally classed into a I-VI category system. Starting out you want to find a class I-II stretch. This will be moving water with a few waves but very few obstacles.

Once you’ve figured out the logistics of your raft trip, it’s time to row. A good general rule for rafting is to pull away from trouble. Trouble can be anything from a rock to a wall to a big wave; basically anything you don’t want to hit. This method assumes the rower is facing downstream looking over the front, or bow, of the boat.

The way to row away from trouble is by pointing the bow towards whatever it is you don’t want to hit and pulling away. For instance if the current is flowing towards a rock in the center of the river, you want to avoid it. Point the bow either upstream of the rock or directly at it and pull (row backwards) away from it. The current will be pushing you towards the rock, but you will be counteracting it by pulling away.

When you’re on the class I or II stretch of river there won’t be too many dangers to avoid. In order to practice rowing however, you need to make up scenarios. Pretend there’s a rock in the center of the river that you have to avoid. Don’t just float; create scenarios and row like your life depended on it because it just may and this isn't for the faint of heart. As you have more and more success, you can gradually start making the river stretches more difficult.

Always study the river when you’re rowing. Check out the waves and currents and try to figure out what’s causing things to happen. When you see a wave try to identify why its there; is there an underwater rock or is it some kind of constriction? Why is there slack water on the inside of a bend, or behind a large boulder?

Try different moves with the raft. Just don't stand up or grab ahold of your neighbor in fear! What happens when you row into the slack water, does the raft turn? Why and which way? All these situations will help you understand the river. Soon you’ll be able to look at a stretch of whitewater and know the best way to row it. You’ll be able to “read” the water. The best whitewater rowers are generally the best water readers.

With enough practice you should become comfortable with your rafting and rowing abilities. Once you do you can start planning some trips with your friends and family. There’s nothing like watching your 5 year old kid’s face light up with joy when they feel the splashing whitewater beneath the raft or your brother falling off, knocking him on his ego. (This was always pay back, I kicked his butt at rafting as a kid) It’s like an amusement park with no lines and no limits and no hands for cotton candy.

Omek Interactive - A Technology That Could Raise The Exergaming Experience To The Next Level

David Gise — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:45:24 -0700

On Friday, Fitspott had the pleasure of meeting with Janine Kutliroff, CEO of Israel based Omek Interactive. Omek’s proprietary technology translates raw data from 3D cameras, allowing a participants natural body motion to control an onscreen character for a gaming experience that is truly active and immersive.

Little did I know, the glass of water that Janine asked for when she first arrived was actually going to be for ME. After Janine gave me a brief overview and history of Omek Interactive it was time to give the technology a try.

Janine attached a standard 3D camera to the top of her laptop and demonstrated just how responsive the on screen avatar was in response to the players movements. No matter how fast she lifted or lowered her arms, swung them in circles, lifted her leg, the avatar kept up. Did I mention no hand held controllers were required?

After this brief demonstration of the software's capabilities, Janine booted up one of Omeks prototype games. An avatar on a futuristic running track appeared on the screen and Janine instructed me to start running in place. Sure enough the avatar started running along with me. As I moved forward, obstacles such as trampolines, fences, etc. blocked my path and Janine kindly yelled at me to leap to the side, duck or lift my arms for balance.

The first trace of sweat started down my back.

As Janine instructed me to continue running while I moved onto more advanced levels, I quickly realized I was NOT wearing the right clothes for this demonstration..the reason, I was getting a very good workout and sweating quite profusely.

A few major things distinguished Omek's technology from other exergames I have tried:

- No hand held controllers were required.

- The movements of the on screen avatar mimicked my natural movements almost exactly.

Both of these distinguishing factors translate into a significant potential to bring the benefits of exergaming to new levels. With a player’s natural body movement so closely mirroring the onscreen character, one can only imagine the type of game titles that can be developed which will offer an extremely vigorous workout while also being (and this is the most important part) FUN.

I highly recommend checking out their website to learn more about this exciting new technology.

About Omek Interactive

Omek Interactive is a leading creator of motion games and motion gaming technology. Using the latest USB 3D cameras, Omek's proprietary Motion Game System software translates natural body motion into seamless 3D movement onscreen. The player's body controls the action, making interactive entertainment truly active as healthy movement replaces sedentary inactivity during gaming sessions. Omek creates both original PC games and motion gaming middleware.

Fighting Youth Obesity By Making Fitness Engaging and Interactive

Using Technology to Make Fitness Fun

Health and Fitness Made Fun

Budget-Proof Your Fitness Plan: How to Stay Fit Without Expensive Gym Fees

David Gise — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:27:35 -0700

During periods of economic downturn the last thing you want is to be paying out for an expensive gym every month. When funds are tight gym membership is often the first casualty, and losing the safe haven of your commercial gym can leave you feeling unmotivated to continue exercising. But you don’t have to give up your fitness plan just because you’ve got less money. Below are some simple steps to help you achieve your desired fitness level on a budget, or in many cases, for free.

* Go running. If you live in the countryside or by the coast, finding a beautiful place to jog will be easy. Cities usually have parks and recreation grounds which are perfect for joggers, and even quiet residential streets will do. If you have found running boring in the past, why not listen to music or even an audio book on your iPod at the same time? The miles will fly by. For more motivation, consider signing up for a charity run or half marathon (or marathon if you’re feeling really fit!). This will give you a goal to aim for and keep you motivated in your training. Best of all, it’s completely free!

* Get on your bike. Most people have got an old bike hidden away in the shed, but if you haven’t, consider picking up a cheap or second-hand bicycle. Once you’ve got that bit of kit, cycling is not only free, but it actually saves you money! Think of all the money spent on petrol or bus fares that you will save if you replace all your short journeys with a cycle ride. Cycling is a fantastic way to gain all-round fitness, can be really fun, and lowers your carbon footprint. More and more cities are creating special cycle lanes, so there’s no reason not to get on your bike!

*Put on your dancing shoes. Dancing burns off about as many calories as playing tennis, and is so much fun that you get fitter without even realising it. Go with a partner or with your friends and you’ll come back from a night out feeling like you’ve had a complete workout! Giam has a great line of dance workouts on DVD.

* Shop around. If you prefer group exercise, check out classes at your local community college or leisure centre. Many offer reduced-rate exercise classes such as yoga, pilates and aerobics, and although facilities aren’t likely to be as smart as a private gym, classes should be just as good quality.

* Contact your local university. Most universities have a reduced-price gym for students, and many will allow members of the public to use the facilities for just slightly more. University gyms are usually well equipped and friendly, and much cheaper than commercial gyms.

* Swim, swim, swim. Swimming is one of the best all-round exercises that you can do, working both upper and lower body muscles, as well as being cardiovascular. If you don't have your own pool then hit the community pool! The quality of public pools varies, but many authorities have been revamping their facilities over recent years and they’re usually cheap compared to private pools. Many offer adult-only or even women-only swimming times, meaning that you won’t have to worry about kids playing and splashing whilst you’re trying to get fit.

* Watch the box. From pilates and yoga to kick-boxing and salsa, there is a huge range of exercise DVDs on the market now. Read reviews on Amazon before you buy to make sure that you get one that will suit you. You could always check your local library first, why not rent a DVD for a few days to see if you like it?

All of the above simple suggestions can be implemented to make a well-rounded exercise plan on a budget. If you need help with motivation, get your friends and family involved. Work together to plan a fun and varied fitness plan, and you’ll forget why you ever thought you needed an expensive gym in the first place until you have cash to burn again, of course.

How to Keep Your Body & Business In Check Without Losing Your Pants.

David Gise — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:26:06 -0700

There once was a gym owner who lived in a yacht. The economy crashed and a couch at Mom’s house is what he got.

There once was a yoga class Mary soared in then she got a job serving wine and the girl is now missing her pose lion.

There once was a trainer wearing the best Air Jordan’s now a friend’s house he is a boarding.

Today's economy has put a lot of stress on our physical, mental and emotional resources. Unfortunately, for many, life becomes drudgery, filled with problems and anxiety. But life is meant to be lived. It is a means to grow and learn the values that make up a prosperous society. But getting the right perspective and trying to make adjustments to the daily routine is next to impossible for many who have been laid off of work or in fear of getting the pink slip. Yet it is imperative that even when the going gets tough that we keep going since life and the economy has its ups and downs and even when we feel we can’t see the light of day we need to assume that it will get better and that we want to be ready for it. Ready and being at our best.

In the realm of fitness more responsibility is being placed on the members, trainers and the health club owners themselves. Folks (you and me) who enjoy or make ourselves go to the gym have a lot less to spend especially without a nudging thought of Suzie Ormans budget guidelines. The trainers are finding it increasingly difficult to build their one on one clientele when members say “hello and no thank you”...really thinking…”are you kidding me I have a free meal card at Brothers Pizza so I can eat lunch today”. Health Clubs…well they are in the most unfortunate position and will take the largest losses. To meet a positive growth and stability for membership they must heed to the call of the “I don’t have a dime” whine from folks. This leaves everyone in a situation of choice. Everyone can work as a team and either makes it work for one and all by creating a generating cycle where everyone feels like they win or fight the truth and go about the same old ways of business and not accommodate each other. The latter,this will have one consequence, sooner or later no one will be working out at the gym not even the janitor who gets a free pass.

The stressful environment of hiding out at discount groceries for the best deals hoping no one spots us, finding our desks packed on in a cardboard box at the door and skipping the night time coffee house so we can afford gas for the week is part of today’s living compromise (oh poor us) and it requires that we develop a strategy to meet and counter the damaging effects to our overall health. It is our health and overall well being that pushes us in the get-go of life. Like it or not you are how you feel and you can’t hide it!

Here is the point: LISTEN, no really Listen, this is important.

There is a shift, right? Hold on I have more. People still have needs to be met on all three sides. Agree? Well here are some suggestions:

The Health Club: So here is the good news. Put that weird 70’s shell from your Mom’s bathroom up to your ear and listen. OPPORTUNITY!

Yes we know the situation with the banks tight fisting the credit but dig deep. Tell Mom and the rest of the family to listen close, if they ever want their sofa back for seating…Now is the time to buy, expand and to make your mark. It is a buyers market and only the strong will get stronger and the infinite couch crowdies will get weaker creating a new career for you as Mom’s dog walker and pill splitter. Start thinking big like the banks do and franchise. This gives you cash, growth and your own place to live. Yes without the crocheted cover on the tissue box! Here are the companies with current deep pockets and I am sure at one time they also had to ask for grandma’s mattress fund ( so get moving who cares if the cookies are good):

-LA Fitness, Irvine,CA (linksdown wonder if they listened)

-Retrofitness, Colts Neck, NJ (showing off on CNN)

-Rush Fitness, Knoxville, TN (take a tour, its only 60 secs)

-Snap Fitness, Chanhassen ( has everyone beat w/ vacation giveaway)

-Titan FitnessHoldings (golden)

The Trainer: You have to be a chameleon. Its business and you have to change with change. It is that simple. What do we know? We know members are borrowing from the cookie jar to cover memberships and that they are well…stressed out behind those half lipped smiles. So what do you want to do? What should you do so you are not filling in those fading black stripes on your sneaks with that permanent marker? Make them HAPPY Silly! You have 5 gals on the line of treadmills looking at you at 7 am who maybe wish they had a little more guidance especially since bikini season is upon them and The Real Housewives of Fake Land are strutting their stuff and these gals are watching. They want it but are without the Gucci’s so give them what they want and by that rule of business you will become even more successful. Offer group classes, they save- you make more in an hour and not only are you able to make room for a new pair of sneakers in your friends closet but you make their husbands happy. It is a no brainer. This keeps the cash coming in trainers, if I needed to say that.

It must be remembered that both body and mind are interrelated and not separate from one another and in these times stress of regular old members is what is keeping them at bay. So let’s bring up Member Mary. Oh…Mary…let’s talk…taking care of physical health does little if anxiety from being barred at the local Pathmark supermarket for pulling the last two for one can of tuna in water out of a ninety year old woman’s hand. Get a grip on yourself. Stop whining about the 29.95 per month at the gym because Janie hollered at the counter until she got her membership reduced to twenty bucks a month on alternate days because that my dear is not going to get you the results of Bethany on The Real Housewives. In one ear you have your husband or significant other or just plain you in the mirror saying “summer is coming”… and in the other ear Suzie Orman paired up with Oprah hugging and saying “look at my earrings, do as we say” even when they feel no economic pressure themselves. But you trust the “light bulb” so let’s compromise. Ask the trainer about saving on a group lesson. You get to work out with friends and maybe a couple of not so much friends who you would like to show up.

The point is this: Yes you may still have to remember to pour the wine to the oldest gal first at your night job but at least you will look good while doing it. Also be sure to have your cousin Sally join Mr. “Yachts” gym in her town when it opens up…and the generation goes on.

A Touching Story of How Exergaming is Helping Special Needs Students

David Gise — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:16:38 -0700

This afternoon, Fitpsott received an email from Phil Lawler of PE4life.org, regarding a touching news story he cane across from a news station in South Carolina. With Phil's permission, I have paraphrased his email directly...you might want to have some tissues handy.

Subject: For everyone connected to the exergaming world

Everyone in the exergaming world should watch this video……watch the faces of the children and listen to the testimonies of what this exergaming lab has meant to some challenged students. The video is powerful, but after talking to the head of the PE in this district, this room is having a greater impact on these special students than even the video captured.

The school that put in this lab, is an underprivileged school in Carolina. After visiting Naperville’s PE4life academy, the administrative leaders said they were going to put a lab in their school. The administration said, we have limited funds, but that will not stop us……this room will change lives. At that time this plan did not include their special needs students, but now the lab has become part of the daily routine of the special students. Regular students are also benefiting from this exerlearning lab, but what a bonus, the lab is making such a profound difference in these young people lives.

The one story that touched me the most was the young man that was non-verbal. He only said his first word when he was 6 years old and continued to have a limited vocabulary until he experienced this lab. I am not sure what triggered this change in the lab, maybe the stimulation and movement was rewiring his brain, maybe it was the social stimulation of having fun and experiencing success in the room, no one knows for sure, but the one thing we do know, this concept of exerlearning labs is working.

It might take some time to change the thinking of conservative educational leaders, but our President and Sec. of Education has challenged our educational leaders to think outside the box, and come up with some new and innovative changes that will impact children, the exergaming world has it, we need to promote it, so we can change young people’s lives.

Here is a link to view the video: http://is.gd/qSsF

Check back periodically as Fitspott will be interviewing some other advocates of exergaming over the next few weeks.

Fighting Youth Obesity By Making Fitness Engaging and Interactive

Using Technology to Make Fitness Fun

Health and Fitness Made Fun

Hitting the Wall of Shame

David Gise — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 08:16:22 -0700

Picture yourself as a child and you are back at school. (For me that was about twenty years ago) Perhaps you're picturing yourself at recess or maybe in your daily PE class, and you can still hear the whistle as your gym coach steps into the gym through those thick double wood doors. He cups his hands over his mouth and yells “Dodge ball today, lets get lined up!”

Kids are lining up against the wall, one by one putting themselves “out there” each thinking the same thing “pick me, pick me… help me to feel special.”

First there is Jimmy –a happy looking kid with a big smile maybe thinking about his plans for the day- Mom and Dad taking him to his soccer game, biking etc

Then let’s take a look at Jake- a forced smile, head downturned & tired, perhaps thinking about getting home and making himself a snack and watching his favorite TV show.

- But today we are not looking at a regular walls and school is out.

Jimmy is now presenting himself proudly against the wall. Jimmy hears his Moms voice say “C’mon Jimmy, time to go to kick a goal”. Jimmy grabs his cleats and as he turns off his computer he smiles as he notices he has four new friend requests. He will get to them tomorrow. This afternoon he is planning on kicking a winning field goal.

Jake hears the phone ring in the next room and is too tired to get up and decides it does not matter. He knows it his Mom calling to say that she will have to work a double shift again so he stays positioned in front of the TV screen. Jake hesitantly puts himself in front of the wall again in hopes that today he will be “picked”. He stands alone with no one paying attention to his wall. Jimmy does not even bother to check the computer he has not been picked so many times and after requesting 28 friends this week no one has yet to “pick” him back.

2009 is similar to my twenty or so years ago whereas being at home and school fills up most of the hours in a kid’s day, but there are dynamics that are quite a bit different. Children don’t usually go home to their neighborhood and carry a ball to their friend’s house down the street to play a friendly game or build tree houses in the woods behind their homes. These days’ kids go home and a lot of times Mom and Dad are not home and they turn on the TV, grab a snack or grab a computer mouse to stay connected to their friends and schoolmates.

Today it is not so much about the clothes kids wear it is also about a competitive spirit. This is what makes people move forward and become successful. This includes being above average in personality, academics and in physical attributes. Possessing a competitive spirit takes years of positive encouragement by family and friends. It takes time and in today’s society time is not always on the side of a family unit. Children in about half of households are making the decisions on their own for their daily activities and the food they eat. Kids are managing their own lifestyle without the guidance of parents. It has become a usual standard in today’s one parent or two parent working household. The cost of living and the double whammy of today’s economy is forcing parents to leave their kids to bring up themselves and take on responsibilities that are usually set aside for adults.

We all can see pretty clearly how this is contributing negatively to the health of our youth. We have kids lacking support in many emotional ways. We see a lot of Jakes compounded emotionally by not only having to live up to the standards at the wall at school but also by the virtual wall 24 hours a day. All of this without having the proper emotional support to mold and teach them how to eat properly, strive academically and get enough activity in a day.

What are kids supposed to look like nowadays? It is almost easier to fit in with the growing “normalcy” of being overweight. It is too much work to live up to the ideal without the support that children are lacking from the two places they spend 90% of their time at, home and school. Children spend at least 35 hours a week at school. Twenty years ago kids spent on average of 4 and half hours in PE class and in active recess. These days’ kids are spending on average 40 minutes a week in a physical activity during school hours. We should be adding more to the physical movement and support at school as the world forces families to spend less time on this together at home. Instead we decide to cut programs and leave it up to our youth to decide whether they will get exercise or not. Sadly most are not and it is molding our children to be unhealthy adults with medical issues, lower than average test scores and low self esteem.

We are now amongst a group of people who have stayed committed to create change. They have pushed through and are asking for your help to turn this around. Pay attention to the Fit Kids Act that is being reintroduced to Congress. The FIT Kids Act is a bill that would include involvement by both parents and the public in promoting healthy, physically active lifestyles. The bill would require school districts to report on physical education and would also provide health and physical education training to teachers. The bill would also fund research to examine the link between children’s health and academic achievement, as well as fund research into ways to further combat obesity.

Whether you have a child or not you can contribute in the change needed to turn this epidemic around. We naturally gravitate towards children who are already proving to possess that “competitive, happy spirit”. These kids are easy to talk to and to spend time with but next time you see a Jimmy and Jake at an event or in the neighborhood try to throw Jake the ball first, he needs the most help. He needs the extra support. We need to step in and give a hand up even a smile to let them know that they are equal and worthy of striving for what Jimmy has. We have moms and dads each working a job, sometimes two. Jake should not be punished for this; we should reach out to support him especially where he is lacking basic physical needs.

Today’s kids have so many expectations to live up to and comparison does not end for them at school time. Children are putting themselves out there for either being accepted or feeling rejected twenty-four hours a day via school and online. At least when we were kids we had that “safe” place of non-judgment when the sun went down…Mom calling us in for dinner and we were at home with our families whereas for most of us we were all number one in their eyes. It is crucial today for us to band together and help the “Jakes” in this world have a chance at feeling like number one. Especially when it is forced upon families to prioritize work in order to care for the family’s basic needs.

New Years Resolutions vs. Springtime Resolutions - Is Either Effective?

David Gise — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:17:20 -0700

You wouldn't know it from the snow flurries but today is offcially the first day of spring. In the health club business, there are two distinct high points of the year. New Years Eve and The Beginning of Spring.

As we all know, January 1st is marked by the appearance of many new faces in health clubs throughout the world (New Years resolutionists). This group is often motivated by the concept of "starting off the new year right" and/or making this the "Best Year Ever"...unfortunately most of these new faces are usually gone within a month.

Spring resolutionists however are slightly different. As there are no specific celebrations to ring in this time of the year (ex. I do not remember ever going to a Spring Eve party), this group tends not to be motivated by the promise of a new year, but rather a fear of not being able to hide behind layers of clothes.

In my experience, Spring resolutionists tend to stay comitted to their initiative a little longer. With that said, once the initial fear of disrobing fades and is replaced with the reality of the effort involved with committing to an exercise routine, this group tends to thin out as well. Estimated time of departure: 4-8 weeks.

This week, Fitspott had a conversation with a friend of ours, Rahz Slaughter. Co-Founder of Breakthroughs to Fitness. He recently attended a 4 day Tony Robbins conference and was quite motivated after the event. Having read Tony's books in the past, it was interesting hearing about Rahz's experience and getting an update on the technologies taught by Tony Robbins. It also got me thinking how helpful his tools could be for the two groups mentioned above.

One of the concepts taken from Tony Robbins book many years ago, I still utilize today. This concept has prevented me from falling into either one of the two resolution groups and perhaps it can do the same for you as well.

Here it is: The types of questions we ask OURSELVES will determine the answers we get in return. Let me illustrate:

Negative Questions

Should I just skip the gym today and workout tomorrow?

Should I just sleep late so I can be better rested for work tomorrow?

Should I just stay at my job late to get more work done?

Why does this always happen to me?

Positive Questions

Wouldn't it be great to blow off some stress?

How much better will I feel if I work out today?

How much better will I look if I work out today?

What can I do to solve this problem?

As long as you are part of the human race, whenever doubt exists, you will engage in an inner dialogue. By simply posing the questions you ask yourself in a positive way, you are much more likely to get positive answers that could make all the difference between a resolutionist versus a committed fitness enthusiast.

MORALE OF THIS STORY: The time of the year should not determine whether or not you start/stick to an exercise program.

h.u.m.a.n. (Healthy Vending) - A Good Idea, an Even Better Company!

David Gise — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:30:39 -0700

This afternoon, I had an opportunity to chat with Sean Kelly, CEO of HealthyVending.com. Many years ago, I had explored the concept of healthy vending with a good friend of mine that was in the industry. On the surface the concept seemed quite simple. All we had to do was replace the poor choices found in most vending machines with some healthier options, and we would cure worldwide obesity within a few years.

After spending about a week researching this "simple concept" we quickly realized a successful execution of a healthy vending machine business was anything but simple...we never spoke about it again.

So at this point I should step back and thank Twitter.

Earlier this week, I asked (via tweet) if anyone knew of any healthy vending machine companies. A visit to a local high school for my Sunday morning b-ball game prompted me to ask this question as there was not one healthy option to choose from in the vending machine.

While I received several responses to my post, no one was able to provide me with any answers. Just when I thought the issue was dead, I was contacted by Sean introducing me to his company, healthyvending.com.

The mission of Sean's company is to help unite man and nutrition (h.u.m.a.n.) by placing premium healthy vending machines across the globe and giving 10% of proceeds back to charitable causes that fight obesity and malnutrition.

For the last 15 months h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending has focused on building a one of a kind healthy vending machine, specifically designed to overcome the obstacles that have prevented healthy vending from achieving a mainstream adoption in the past.

h.u.m.a.n. machines were created to accomplish three primary goals:

Increase revenues & profits for vending operators & sales commissions for locations.
Make operating, maintaining, & stocking the machines easier while making consumer interaction more enjoyable.
Create happy, healthy & loyal customers.

The machine features a touch-screen LCD, streaming video content, a cashless payment system, an eco-friendly power device and attractive graphics.

Aside from their unique machine, h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending utilizes on-location surveys, demographical analysis, & past precedence, to determine the specific product mix that best suits each location.

What most impressed me about my conversation with Sean is his companies commitment to the fight against obesity/malnutrition coupled with his clarity regarding the importance of making his machines profitable.

In today's economy, most schools, health clubs, airports, hospitals, etc. would be hesitant about giving up the revenue they derive from their current vending machines just to promote healthier food choices.

h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending is the rare breed of company that truly does offer the best of both worlds.

Healthy Food Choices + A Significant Revenue Opportunity = h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending