Maybe the reason why you can't change to a healthy diet is because food has become this profound visceral experience every time you sit down to a meal. Flavor and texture are the king and queen in your mouth, palate, taste buds and especially your brain. You can't go from a diet loaded with yummy fat, sugar, salt and chemicals to bland old steamed vegetables and quinoa because the eating experience will no longer provide the kind of pleasure you expect from eating.
Starting a diet is easy. Desire to change and the intentions that go with it are strong at first. The trigger could be the image in the mirror you despise. Maybe it's the impact of how walking up a simple flight of stairs feels like a triathlon. You say enough is enough and begin the process (again) of choosing a diet. When you do, you have to give up something. Something you love. Portions or flavor or both. Some folks never get past the first day while others can hang in there for years. Both fail in the the end because eating feels like that job you hate. How long do you want to suffer? How long do you want to feel deprived? How much longer can you tolerate being miserable while eating?
Changing your eating habits is no different than starting a workout regime. Both are hard at first, get easier with time and become enjoyable if your purpose is clear. Fitness is fun and effective when you combine variety, intensity, consistency with purpose, a plan and accountability. It's hard if you only focus on how you want to look in front of other people. You can stick with a healthy eating plan when you find ways to make fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats taste good! A weight loss only diet plan fails every time because being miserable while eating now with the hope that you look better later will make you sad, depressed and crazy!
You also need a plan for when you travel and you need to find restaurants that provide healthy whole meals that you look forward to eating. If you love to cook - start throwing out old recipes that make you and your family fat and start preparing yummy ones that make everyone happy and healthy. If you don't cook then learn. Learn how to cook 10 fast healthy meals. You can do that. After that, figure out who delivers the good stuff on days you don't feel like cooking. Learn how to navigate a grocery store. Cut way back on all processed foods that come in a bag, box, bottle or can and buy more foods with just one ingredient. Blueberries, carrots, spinach, kale, onions, watermelon. You get the idea.
The only way you're going to live the life you deserve is through fitness and a healthy diet. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. You want to find the fountain of youth? Here it is…healthy food and fitness first before everything else. Exercise is Fitness and Food is Health. You can stay miserable or you can join the revolution, it's up to you!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Get the cool stuff!
So excited to join the team at OpenSky...sign up to follow me and you'll receive exclusive discounts on all of my favorite stuff. Nothing lame...I promise.: http://bit.ly/nOdR84
Thought of the day
Most people these days don't seem to respond to gentle prodding. Our problems stem from too much coddling and our delusional sense of entitlement. You have to earn respect, success and health - and that comes from hard work, thinking outside of the box and finding mentors you trust who will push you outside of your comfort zone.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
P90X on Parade
If I've leaned anything in my 52 years it's that most of these stories about P90X have a shelf life of 20 minutes. This is TV fodder for entertainment, not a solution for tackling big picture issues. When they say "don't sweat the small stuff" this is what they're talking about. We might be better off spending less time on Opinion TV and more time on how to make our lives better. Everybody has an opinion but does their purpose on Earth have long term value for people other than themselves? This is where the rubber hits the road in my opinion. You, me, congressmen, our military - who cares how we learn about getting healthy, as long as we figure out ways to rely less on pharmaceutical companies to solve our problems, so that all of us will be less of a burden on our health care system.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Food Wars
Recently I posted a news story about a professional tennis player who started winning shortly after he switched to a gluten free diet. The article was asking if the wins were connected to the diet. What a shock that all ends of the dietary spectrum came out in force to defend their way to eat. The lesson here in my opinion is that no single food philosophy can possibly apply to everyone. How can anyone think that the 22 year old Kenyan marathon runner and the 38 year mother of 4 should have the same diet? It's ridiculous. I've been to Japan, Italy and France - all three nations eat massive amounts of "good" carbohydrates at every meal yet it's very hard to find fat Italian, French and Japanese people - unless they live here.
I'm a gluten "lite" - tons of veggies, free range chicken and wild salmon eatin' dude these days. I'm discovering the less gluten the better for my body chemistry. I was vegan for years and recently I added free range chicken and wild salmon. Universal black and white mandates for all is short-sighted. I lost some weight eating just veggies, fruit and beans so I've upped the protein and calories. Making adjusts based on ever changing needs (especially as I get older) is perfectly normal. The diet guide in P90X and the one in my book are different. So what? Both ask you to eat HEALTHY FOOD! Some people can be vegan for a lifetime while others fluctuate from one healthy diet to another. The key word here is healthy. My weight will go up and down 10 pounds but as long as the food I'm eating is healthy and whole I'll probably be okay.
I'm a gluten "lite" - tons of veggies, free range chicken and wild salmon eatin' dude these days. I'm discovering the less gluten the better for my body chemistry. I was vegan for years and recently I added free range chicken and wild salmon. Universal black and white mandates for all is short-sighted. I lost some weight eating just veggies, fruit and beans so I've upped the protein and calories. Making adjusts based on ever changing needs (especially as I get older) is perfectly normal. The diet guide in P90X and the one in my book are different. So what? Both ask you to eat HEALTHY FOOD! Some people can be vegan for a lifetime while others fluctuate from one healthy diet to another. The key word here is healthy. My weight will go up and down 10 pounds but as long as the food I'm eating is healthy and whole I'll probably be okay.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Being Perfect
Perfectionism is not an attribute in my opinion so don't beat yourself up when you miss a few workouts or eat some Easter candy. The goal is to have far more good days than bad. Exercise for the joy of feeling good and getting better. Eat right with the intention of fueling your body with the things it needs to perform.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Variety
Hey Boys & Girls,
More and more people are discovering that Variety truly is the Spice of Fitness!
Multiple types of physical activity can be very humbling for people because it exposes our weaknesses - and most people don't like being/looking bad at anything. The commitment to exercise is hard enough and now I'm asking you to do pull-ups, jump-knee-tucks, throw punches and hold Warrior 3. "That's too hard!" This is why most people never leave the yoga studio, spinning class, get off the elliptical machine or attempt something other than their 3 mile run. As a "skills" based program P90X is designed to emphasize your weaknesses as well as your strengths. This is the sole reason why it works. Never before did you see Yoga and weightlifting in the same program because even trainers gravitate toward only one or two specialties.
Boredom, plateaus and injury are the enemy and the only way to combat them is through Variety. If you're struggling it's working. Swallow some humble pie and get busy.
TH-
More and more people are discovering that Variety truly is the Spice of Fitness!
Multiple types of physical activity can be very humbling for people because it exposes our weaknesses - and most people don't like being/looking bad at anything. The commitment to exercise is hard enough and now I'm asking you to do pull-ups, jump-knee-tucks, throw punches and hold Warrior 3. "That's too hard!" This is why most people never leave the yoga studio, spinning class, get off the elliptical machine or attempt something other than their 3 mile run. As a "skills" based program P90X is designed to emphasize your weaknesses as well as your strengths. This is the sole reason why it works. Never before did you see Yoga and weightlifting in the same program because even trainers gravitate toward only one or two specialties.
Boredom, plateaus and injury are the enemy and the only way to combat them is through Variety. If you're struggling it's working. Swallow some humble pie and get busy.
TH-
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Holiday Health
On this Christmas day we have an opportunity to count our blessing and look to the future. The New Year is just days away and quite often we neglect healthier choices and blow off our workouts with the hope that come 2011 we'll get our act together again. Why not turn this week between Christmas and New Years into a productive 7 days. Temptation is everywhere and holiday obligations abound but I know you can manage at least three workouts this week and avoid eating fruit cake and Christmas candy. Give yourself a 7 day running start before January 1 because going in strong is a whole lot better than starting bloated and grumpy.
Peace,
Holiday Horton
Peace,
Holiday Horton
Friday, November 05, 2010
Be Part of The Solution
Boys and girls,
I'm unaware of your financial situation but I do believe that you're reading this page because you care about your health and fitness. If you have plenty of income and love your job then what I’m about to tell you might not be for you. If you're not thrilled with the way you make a living, would like extra income, love Beachbody products, like the way they make you look and feel, enjoy helping other people feel and look better, enjoy setting your own hours, get excited about being the captain of your own ship as opposed to working for the man - then listen up.
The reality is, your health and fitness moves beyond you. It impacts the people around you. You (whether you like it or not) have the power to change lives based solely on your own personal transformation. Inadvertently you become a catalyst for change. This is how I got started. I was clueless, asked a few questions based on my need to be strong and healthy, stayed with it and people in my life wanted to know what I was doing. Simple yet powerful.
If you want to share what you've learned with people in your life who want better health (and could use extra income in the process) then you should consider becoming a Team Beachbody Coach. I felt so strongly about this program that I’ve encouraged many of my friends to become coaches, even my own sister. She is doing great (even though my contract with Beachbody won’t let me help her). She is a perfect example of someone who had plenty of doubt and hesitation regarding the coaching opportunity and still found a way to make it work for her. A busy working wife and mother with three very active kids doesn't sound like a good candidate to start an in-home multi-level marketing company. Did you say multi level marketing? What? Ick! You mean pyramid scheme right? Okay chill out. All these fears would be true if BeachBody were selling hats or kitty liter, but this is Beachbody people! The number 1 in-home fitness company on the planet! P90X is steadily becoming the most popular fitness system in US history. Shakeology is the revolutionary replacement meal on the market today. We sell life-altering change - not soap. Tens of thousands of regular folk around this country are doing something they love because of this coach opportunity.
The unemployment rate still hovers around 10% but it doesn't have to be that way if more people were willing to see that new opportunities exist all around them. The Team Beachbody Coaching opportunity is one of them. Health care companies, pharmaceutical companies and our government are not capable of solving this obesity crisis and we can't wait around for them to do it. The crisis is now and the answer is YOU! I know that sounds a bit Rah Rah but it's true.
Cynics don't need to apply, but if you're sick and tired of the status quo and want to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you, then open the door. The two major issues of our time - the health care issue and unemployment rate could be resolved if a million more people in this country decided to get healthy and share the wealth. This is a brand new industry waiting to explode. It's not happening in boardrooms or factories – it’s happening in the homes of tens of thousands of Team Beachbody Coaches and in the homes of their customers. With a tiny investment (actually the company is waiving the enrollment fee through the end of 2010) and a willingness to help people the sky's the limit.
TH-
I'm unaware of your financial situation but I do believe that you're reading this page because you care about your health and fitness. If you have plenty of income and love your job then what I’m about to tell you might not be for you. If you're not thrilled with the way you make a living, would like extra income, love Beachbody products, like the way they make you look and feel, enjoy helping other people feel and look better, enjoy setting your own hours, get excited about being the captain of your own ship as opposed to working for the man - then listen up.
The reality is, your health and fitness moves beyond you. It impacts the people around you. You (whether you like it or not) have the power to change lives based solely on your own personal transformation. Inadvertently you become a catalyst for change. This is how I got started. I was clueless, asked a few questions based on my need to be strong and healthy, stayed with it and people in my life wanted to know what I was doing. Simple yet powerful.
If you want to share what you've learned with people in your life who want better health (and could use extra income in the process) then you should consider becoming a Team Beachbody Coach. I felt so strongly about this program that I’ve encouraged many of my friends to become coaches, even my own sister. She is doing great (even though my contract with Beachbody won’t let me help her). She is a perfect example of someone who had plenty of doubt and hesitation regarding the coaching opportunity and still found a way to make it work for her. A busy working wife and mother with three very active kids doesn't sound like a good candidate to start an in-home multi-level marketing company. Did you say multi level marketing? What? Ick! You mean pyramid scheme right? Okay chill out. All these fears would be true if BeachBody were selling hats or kitty liter, but this is Beachbody people! The number 1 in-home fitness company on the planet! P90X is steadily becoming the most popular fitness system in US history. Shakeology is the revolutionary replacement meal on the market today. We sell life-altering change - not soap. Tens of thousands of regular folk around this country are doing something they love because of this coach opportunity.
The unemployment rate still hovers around 10% but it doesn't have to be that way if more people were willing to see that new opportunities exist all around them. The Team Beachbody Coaching opportunity is one of them. Health care companies, pharmaceutical companies and our government are not capable of solving this obesity crisis and we can't wait around for them to do it. The crisis is now and the answer is YOU! I know that sounds a bit Rah Rah but it's true.
Cynics don't need to apply, but if you're sick and tired of the status quo and want to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you, then open the door. The two major issues of our time - the health care issue and unemployment rate could be resolved if a million more people in this country decided to get healthy and share the wealth. This is a brand new industry waiting to explode. It's not happening in boardrooms or factories – it’s happening in the homes of tens of thousands of Team Beachbody Coaches and in the homes of their customers. With a tiny investment (actually the company is waiving the enrollment fee through the end of 2010) and a willingness to help people the sky's the limit.
TH-
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Alcohol & Caffeine
Let me start out by saying that I have many detractors regarding this topic.
Coffee and wine drinkers hate this argument and fight tooth and nail to protect
their addictions. Here's how I feel about both.
First off, caffeine and alcohol are both considered (by many experts) slow
poisons that over time can cause many health issues down the line. Both
form an acidic environment in the body which can lead to heart disease,
inflammation, arthritis, diabetes and major digestive issues. Some early
studies are showing a possible link to various cancers as well.
Both wreak havoc on your blood sugar and how it's
regulated. Caffeine taxes the adrenal glands which is responsible for
regulating your hormones. It puts the body into a fight or flight
mode (all the time) which can cause longterm ill-health effects and
difficulty with weight loss. It also stimulates our central nervous system which can
affect perception, moods and behavior. Although it does increase the
"feel-good" neurotransmitter dopamine when we drink it, over time
you need more and more caffeine for the desired effect.
Dropping these two "toxins" will help you find your natural energy without a
dependence on anything outside of food to get energy or relax. Removing both
will help you to have deeper and more restful sleep.
When we drink alcohol we rarely go into REM sleep, which means our
bodies don't get the healing recovery rest that we need. Over time, it also
depletes serotonin in our bodies, which can then cause depression, mood
swings and other issues related to low serotonin. Drinking also affects our
neurotransmitters in our brain, thinking patterns, memory and hormone
regulation. Not to mention what it does to the liver...I think you probably
know that already!
Coffee and wine drinkers hate this argument and fight tooth and nail to protect
their addictions. Here's how I feel about both.
First off, caffeine and alcohol are both considered (by many experts) slow
poisons that over time can cause many health issues down the line. Both
form an acidic environment in the body which can lead to heart disease,
inflammation, arthritis, diabetes and major digestive issues. Some early
studies are showing a possible link to various cancers as well.
Both wreak havoc on your blood sugar and how it's
regulated. Caffeine taxes the adrenal glands which is responsible for
regulating your hormones. It puts the body into a fight or flight
mode (all the time) which can cause longterm ill-health effects and
difficulty with weight loss. It also stimulates our central nervous system which can
affect perception, moods and behavior. Although it does increase the
"feel-good" neurotransmitter dopamine when we drink it, over time
you need more and more caffeine for the desired effect.
Dropping these two "toxins" will help you find your natural energy without a
dependence on anything outside of food to get energy or relax. Removing both
will help you to have deeper and more restful sleep.
When we drink alcohol we rarely go into REM sleep, which means our
bodies don't get the healing recovery rest that we need. Over time, it also
depletes serotonin in our bodies, which can then cause depression, mood
swings and other issues related to low serotonin. Drinking also affects our
neurotransmitters in our brain, thinking patterns, memory and hormone
regulation. Not to mention what it does to the liver...I think you probably
know that already!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
T. Horton goes to Washington
Celebrity Fitness Trainer To Lead Charity Run
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 05:30 AM PDT
Online registration is now open for the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” race in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2010. The Press Club’s 13th annual run/walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the corner of 14th and F Sts. NW, outside the historic National Press Building, “the place where news happens.”
Fitness trainer Tony Horton, creator of “P90X Extreme Training System,” will serve as Race Marshal and will lead an open, pre-race warm-up for 5K participants on race day. Horton speaks widely on fitness, exercise, and nutrition and has trained professional athletes, U.S. military personnel, members of Congress and celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Tom Petty, Billy Idol, Annie Lennox, Rob Lowe, Sean Connery and Shirley MacLaine.
“I’m thrilled to be here in our nation’s capital kicking off this 2010 National Press Club 5K race because I’m a huge fan of endurance sports, the thrill of competition, and sweaty people,” Horton said.
Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the National Press Club’s non-profit Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library (EFNJL), which is committed to journalism training, research, and support of a global free press. Some of the race proceeds will benefit the EFNJL’s college scholarship fund dedicated to students pursuing a career in journalism who will contribute to diversity in the profession.
“We welcome everyone to have a good time for a great cause,” said Richard S. Dunham, president of the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library board. “Our race sponsors and participants play a major role in helping us fulfill our commitment to diversity in journalism and cutting-edge training programs.”
Hosted by the world’s leading professional organization for journalists, the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” draws participants from the press and political communities. Reporters, politicians, lobbyists and government figures join the public to compete individually and in teams for $1,000 cash prizes for top finishers and medals for top age group finishers. All participants receive a “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” a commemorative race t-shirt and entrance to the post-race breakfast.
To register for the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline,” visit www.press.org. Pre-registration is $30 for general registration and $25 for NPC members/students. Registration fee is $35 two weeks before the race, and $40 for race day registration. Melissa Charbonneau, 5K Vice Chair, at melcharbonneau@aol.com.
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 05:30 AM PDT
Online registration is now open for the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” race in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2010. The Press Club’s 13th annual run/walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the corner of 14th and F Sts. NW, outside the historic National Press Building, “the place where news happens.”
Fitness trainer Tony Horton, creator of “P90X Extreme Training System,” will serve as Race Marshal and will lead an open, pre-race warm-up for 5K participants on race day. Horton speaks widely on fitness, exercise, and nutrition and has trained professional athletes, U.S. military personnel, members of Congress and celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Tom Petty, Billy Idol, Annie Lennox, Rob Lowe, Sean Connery and Shirley MacLaine.
“I’m thrilled to be here in our nation’s capital kicking off this 2010 National Press Club 5K race because I’m a huge fan of endurance sports, the thrill of competition, and sweaty people,” Horton said.
Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the National Press Club’s non-profit Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library (EFNJL), which is committed to journalism training, research, and support of a global free press. Some of the race proceeds will benefit the EFNJL’s college scholarship fund dedicated to students pursuing a career in journalism who will contribute to diversity in the profession.
“We welcome everyone to have a good time for a great cause,” said Richard S. Dunham, president of the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library board. “Our race sponsors and participants play a major role in helping us fulfill our commitment to diversity in journalism and cutting-edge training programs.”
Hosted by the world’s leading professional organization for journalists, the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” draws participants from the press and political communities. Reporters, politicians, lobbyists and government figures join the public to compete individually and in teams for $1,000 cash prizes for top finishers and medals for top age group finishers. All participants receive a “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline” a commemorative race t-shirt and entrance to the post-race breakfast.
To register for the “National Press Club 5K: Beat the Deadline,” visit www.press.org. Pre-registration is $30 for general registration and $25 for NPC members/students. Registration fee is $35 two weeks before the race, and $40 for race day registration. Melissa Charbonneau, 5K Vice Chair, at melcharbonneau@aol.com.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Buy This!
Hey blogger lovers,
My apologies for being away for so long. As many of you may or may not know, I'm writing a book. I swear my brian is toast. I don't know how a daily columnist does it. Anyway, I think this book is going to solve many of the health and fitness conundrums many of you suffer from. It's due in January of 2011. Still working on the title with some friends in facebook. Should know soon enough.
Now on to why I'm writing to you today. As many of us transition from eating crap to healthy fair we find that the good stuff can taste like wax when we're so used to eating massive quantities of fat, sugar and salt. One solution is finding yummy, healthy sauces to put on our healthy wax food. Ha! One of them is chimi churri argentine vegetable and meat sauce. Holy taste buds Batman! This stuff can make anything taste like magic in your mouth. Thank you Missy!
Here's what it is...
Wine vinegar, water, balsamic vinegar, salt, tomato, hot chili pepper, garlic, paprika, oregano, chili powder, thyme, pepper and rosemary. Come On! The maker is Fair For Trade. So it's healthy and a free trade product. Everyone benefits. Check it out at www.interrupcion.net. Get it. Use it. Benefit from it.
TH-
My apologies for being away for so long. As many of you may or may not know, I'm writing a book. I swear my brian is toast. I don't know how a daily columnist does it. Anyway, I think this book is going to solve many of the health and fitness conundrums many of you suffer from. It's due in January of 2011. Still working on the title with some friends in facebook. Should know soon enough.
Now on to why I'm writing to you today. As many of us transition from eating crap to healthy fair we find that the good stuff can taste like wax when we're so used to eating massive quantities of fat, sugar and salt. One solution is finding yummy, healthy sauces to put on our healthy wax food. Ha! One of them is chimi churri argentine vegetable and meat sauce. Holy taste buds Batman! This stuff can make anything taste like magic in your mouth. Thank you Missy!
Here's what it is...
Wine vinegar, water, balsamic vinegar, salt, tomato, hot chili pepper, garlic, paprika, oregano, chili powder, thyme, pepper and rosemary. Come On! The maker is Fair For Trade. So it's healthy and a free trade product. Everyone benefits. Check it out at www.interrupcion.net. Get it. Use it. Benefit from it.
TH-
Thursday, February 04, 2010
The Change
It's befuddling - the fine line between super easy and hard as hell when it comes to understanding what it takes to improve your life. Here's my shot at it. I'm learning that when you decide to eat right and exercise regularly the person you become has it pretty easy and life no longer seems hard as hell. It's been the strangest phenomenon in my personal life. I used to have so many problems and issues. Everything seemed difficult and daunting. There was so much drama and conflict. I was lazy, tired and overwhelmed. Life was a struggle. Not in a million years would I have equated a poor diet and erratic physical activity as the bane of my existence.
In my late 20s and early 30s I began to eat better and workout more regularly - oddly enough new opportunities came my way, my confidence improved and the drama began to fade away. At that time I still wouldn't have thought life outside of my workouts was getting better because of my workouts and healthier food. I never put 2 and 2 together. I chalked it up to luck, nothing more. There were times in those days when I'd get lazy, eat garbage food and blow off workouts and what do you know, life got hard again. I still didn't think the two opposing situations/events had anything to do with each other.
By the time I met BeachBody CEO Carl Daikeler 13 years ago my fitness and food balance was close to great. Not perfect but pretty good. Those early days creating routines for Great Body Guaranteed and Power90 were fun and exciting. I was in the right place at the right time with the right experience to be able to help Carl and Jon create something different and better when it came to in-home workouts. We were striking Gold were it had never been seen before. You'd think by then I'd have a clear understanding that my regular exercise and healthy eating had something to do with my early triumphs, but the answer was still no. More great luck right?
Turns out that the more consistent I was with my workouts and the better I ate, the more opportunities came my way. As a teenager and young adult when I had a horrible diet and very little exercise, my life was a wreck because I didn't have the feel good brain chemistry of a person who was firing on all cylinders from making better choices. When I was in my sometimes-on-sometimes-off phase I was suffering from what I call "Fitness Bi-polar Disorder" because I wasn't consistent enough to reap the life altering benefits of a true health and wellness lifestyle. In only the last 2 or 3 years have I understood how 6 to 7 days a week of exercise and eating whole foods can provide the energy and enthusiasm to take life on. John Ratey's Book "Spark" and Chris Crowley's & Henry Lodge's book "Younger Next Year" were also the catalyst for my present thinking.
I'm writing this because I want you to realize that life can be incredible - not through luck or upbringing or even education. I know plenty of people with a great education and money and they're a mess. Joy, happiness, opportunities, success and the life you want comes from making The Change to a lifestyle that involves regular exercise and whole foods. What seems hard as hell at first will turn your life into a carefree world of endless experiences, plenty of opportunities and the energy and enthusiasm to enjoy life for the rest of your life. The issues and drama of the past will fade way because you had the courage to make consistent fitness and healthy food a priority.
In my late 20s and early 30s I began to eat better and workout more regularly - oddly enough new opportunities came my way, my confidence improved and the drama began to fade away. At that time I still wouldn't have thought life outside of my workouts was getting better because of my workouts and healthier food. I never put 2 and 2 together. I chalked it up to luck, nothing more. There were times in those days when I'd get lazy, eat garbage food and blow off workouts and what do you know, life got hard again. I still didn't think the two opposing situations/events had anything to do with each other.
By the time I met BeachBody CEO Carl Daikeler 13 years ago my fitness and food balance was close to great. Not perfect but pretty good. Those early days creating routines for Great Body Guaranteed and Power90 were fun and exciting. I was in the right place at the right time with the right experience to be able to help Carl and Jon create something different and better when it came to in-home workouts. We were striking Gold were it had never been seen before. You'd think by then I'd have a clear understanding that my regular exercise and healthy eating had something to do with my early triumphs, but the answer was still no. More great luck right?
Turns out that the more consistent I was with my workouts and the better I ate, the more opportunities came my way. As a teenager and young adult when I had a horrible diet and very little exercise, my life was a wreck because I didn't have the feel good brain chemistry of a person who was firing on all cylinders from making better choices. When I was in my sometimes-on-sometimes-off phase I was suffering from what I call "Fitness Bi-polar Disorder" because I wasn't consistent enough to reap the life altering benefits of a true health and wellness lifestyle. In only the last 2 or 3 years have I understood how 6 to 7 days a week of exercise and eating whole foods can provide the energy and enthusiasm to take life on. John Ratey's Book "Spark" and Chris Crowley's & Henry Lodge's book "Younger Next Year" were also the catalyst for my present thinking.
I'm writing this because I want you to realize that life can be incredible - not through luck or upbringing or even education. I know plenty of people with a great education and money and they're a mess. Joy, happiness, opportunities, success and the life you want comes from making The Change to a lifestyle that involves regular exercise and whole foods. What seems hard as hell at first will turn your life into a carefree world of endless experiences, plenty of opportunities and the energy and enthusiasm to enjoy life for the rest of your life. The issues and drama of the past will fade way because you had the courage to make consistent fitness and healthy food a priority.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Ned Farr Superstar
Well, another P90X infomercial is up and running strong, right out of the box... again. Since the start of 2010 more and more people have been coming up to say, "thank you for this amazing program called P90X." I tell them I'm just the fitness clown on the tube. It's you following the program, making the plan, eating right and pushing play.
The numbers keep growing and thousands of people each week jump on the bandwagon. I was in Lincoln Nebraska at a team BeachBody event this past weekend, organized by Doug and Tammie Fitzgerald and it was astonishing how many people I met who've made dramatic change in their lives. Dozens of regular folks in Huskers territory (and ten other states) who lost weight, got healthy, strong, lean and ripped in the process.
These good people kept thanking me and my answer was the same. It's you doing the work and it's also the man who took your stories and produced the most amazing informercial in Direct Response TV history. So good in fact that he won a 2009 Telly Award for "Creative Excellence".
Ned Farr is a humble guy who would tell you that it was team of people who made these infomercials so successful. The truth is, he chooses the graphics, writes and plays the music, does the editing himself, the voiceovers and scourers over hundreds of submissions to find just the right 5 or 6 that make the show authentic and compelling.
I might be the guy demonstrating Jump Knee Tucks and Corn Cob Pull-ups, but it's Ned Farr who gets you to take the first step. He's the guy who explains Muscle Confusion so it makes sense and he's also THE MAN that creates an infomercial so inspiring that millions of people have picked up the phone to start an incredible life long journey.
Thank You Ned Farr Superstar!
The numbers keep growing and thousands of people each week jump on the bandwagon. I was in Lincoln Nebraska at a team BeachBody event this past weekend, organized by Doug and Tammie Fitzgerald and it was astonishing how many people I met who've made dramatic change in their lives. Dozens of regular folks in Huskers territory (and ten other states) who lost weight, got healthy, strong, lean and ripped in the process.
These good people kept thanking me and my answer was the same. It's you doing the work and it's also the man who took your stories and produced the most amazing informercial in Direct Response TV history. So good in fact that he won a 2009 Telly Award for "Creative Excellence".
Ned Farr is a humble guy who would tell you that it was team of people who made these infomercials so successful. The truth is, he chooses the graphics, writes and plays the music, does the editing himself, the voiceovers and scourers over hundreds of submissions to find just the right 5 or 6 that make the show authentic and compelling.
I might be the guy demonstrating Jump Knee Tucks and Corn Cob Pull-ups, but it's Ned Farr who gets you to take the first step. He's the guy who explains Muscle Confusion so it makes sense and he's also THE MAN that creates an infomercial so inspiring that millions of people have picked up the phone to start an incredible life long journey.
Thank You Ned Farr Superstar!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Day 1
Here it is... 2010. Now what? New year, new decade and new opportunities. I'm going on QVC twice in the next 24 hours and my job will be to convince people to pick up the phone and order P90X. Hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people will be watching, but only a handful will take the first step and call us while we're on the air. Some won't be ready, some maybe too old, some just hate exercise, and many others will wait for the "weight-loss-with-food" program to buy. Another group are still under the impression that a machine will change their life.
Everyone knows by now that the start of a new year creates the desire to be a better person. Smoking, drinking, bad eating habits, procrastinating, better work habits, spend less, save more, get fit, lose weight, and so it goes. Enthusiasm that will last well into April. Turns out that long term change is really hard and falling into old habits can happen with very little pressure from the outside world.
Turns out that success comes to those with good mentors, a rock solid plan that fits your lifestyle, a means to stay accountable, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Many many folks with the best of intentions have been winging it year after year with little or no change. I meet far too many people who have fallen off the wagon. They were on the program but something happened and before you know it 3 or 4 weeks went by and 10 to 15 pounds come back and they're right back where they were. Sound familiar?
1. Follow the person and/or program that makes sense to you.
2. Write down a plan that forces you to stick with your goals for the next 12 months.
3. Finds 3 ways to stay accountable even under the most adverse conditions
4. Run from lazy naysayers and find people who want more out of life.
Do It ~ Bring It!
T. Horton
Everyone knows by now that the start of a new year creates the desire to be a better person. Smoking, drinking, bad eating habits, procrastinating, better work habits, spend less, save more, get fit, lose weight, and so it goes. Enthusiasm that will last well into April. Turns out that long term change is really hard and falling into old habits can happen with very little pressure from the outside world.
Turns out that success comes to those with good mentors, a rock solid plan that fits your lifestyle, a means to stay accountable, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Many many folks with the best of intentions have been winging it year after year with little or no change. I meet far too many people who have fallen off the wagon. They were on the program but something happened and before you know it 3 or 4 weeks went by and 10 to 15 pounds come back and they're right back where they were. Sound familiar?
1. Follow the person and/or program that makes sense to you.
2. Write down a plan that forces you to stick with your goals for the next 12 months.
3. Finds 3 ways to stay accountable even under the most adverse conditions
4. Run from lazy naysayers and find people who want more out of life.
Do It ~ Bring It!
T. Horton
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Beach Interval Workout
The Workout
1: Jump-Run-Jump
Draw a line in the sand. This will be your start position. Then draw another line in the sand anywhere from 2 ½ ‘ to 3 ½ ‘ from your starting line. After about 10 to 20 yards (your choice), draw two more lines in the sand (same distance apart), then after another 15 to 20 yards, draw two more lines in the sand. This will be your course for Jump-Run-Jump. Leap/Jump over the first two lines. Sprint to the middle two lines, leap over those then sprint to the last two leap/jump over those, turn and repeat, back and forth for one minute. As you get stronger, challenge yourself to go beyond the 60 seconds. Try 90 seconds or a full two minutes.
2: Suicide Drills
Using your Jump-Run-Jump course, start low with your left hand on the starting line. Sprint to the center of the course and touch one of the two centerlines with your right hand (doesn’t matter). Then back to the original starting line again. Reach down with left hand. Now sprint all the way to the end of the course reaching with your right hand once you arrive, and back to the center again, reaching with your left. The idea here is to go back and forth between shorter sprints and slightly longer sprints. Something like this…start to center, center to start, start to finish, finish to middle, middle to finish, finish to start. One minute, ninety seconds or two minutes.
3: Circle Run
Draw a large circle in the center of your course. Approximately 40 ‘ in diameter Make sure to make four corners with a stone or cone or driftwood because these are your stop, turn and go points. Also, keep in mind you will be running forwards and backwards. You will have to be creative. The pitch of the beach also added an additional challenge. You can run a full circle forwards or backwards, half or quarter. One minute to two minutes.
5: Hook & Go
This is a simple route that a wide receiver on a football team would run. From the start line, sprint 10 yards - stop and turn inward or outward (practice both) then sprint to the other end of the course. Practice looking back towards the start line at the end of your final sprint to the fictitious goal line. You can gently jog or even walk back to the start line and repeat this 3 to 5 times.
6: Defensive Back Route
In this drill you are taking on the role of covering an offensive player running a hook and go route. So this time you will be running backwards for 10 yards then turning and running to the opposite end of the course. Walk or slowly jog back and repeat 3 to 5 times.
7: Zig Zag (Out & In)
Place stones/cones or any marker that won’t twist an ankle or hurt your feet if you step on it accidentally in a zigzag pattern from one end of the course to the other. 5 to 6 markers from end to end. Play with the distance between cones. Some short, some longer.
8: Go-Stop-Turn-Go
With this drill it is best to have a partner barking commands. When they say go, you go. When they say stop, you stop. When they say turn and come back, you turn and come back. Kind of like “Simon Says” intervals. You can use the markers on the course or add new ones for start and finish points.
9: Cross Drill
This is a great routine done on a grade because it adds an additional challenge to this routine. With a stick or your foot make a giant X in the sand. Each line in the X anywhere from 20 to 30 yards. Put cones/markers at the tip of all four ends of the X. These are your finish points before you head back in to the center of the X. The center is considered your safe zone or break spot before your partner sends you off in one of four directions: sideways, forwards or backwards.
10: Box Drill
The Box Drill is similar to the cross drill. To set up your course just make straight lines from each outer corner of the X. That is your square. The corners are now your pause points in the drill. As with many of the other drills you have forward, backward and sideway options. An additional element when moving sideways is facing inward or outward in the box as you move from corner to corner.
Enjoy!
1: Jump-Run-Jump
Draw a line in the sand. This will be your start position. Then draw another line in the sand anywhere from 2 ½ ‘ to 3 ½ ‘ from your starting line. After about 10 to 20 yards (your choice), draw two more lines in the sand (same distance apart), then after another 15 to 20 yards, draw two more lines in the sand. This will be your course for Jump-Run-Jump. Leap/Jump over the first two lines. Sprint to the middle two lines, leap over those then sprint to the last two leap/jump over those, turn and repeat, back and forth for one minute. As you get stronger, challenge yourself to go beyond the 60 seconds. Try 90 seconds or a full two minutes.
2: Suicide Drills
Using your Jump-Run-Jump course, start low with your left hand on the starting line. Sprint to the center of the course and touch one of the two centerlines with your right hand (doesn’t matter). Then back to the original starting line again. Reach down with left hand. Now sprint all the way to the end of the course reaching with your right hand once you arrive, and back to the center again, reaching with your left. The idea here is to go back and forth between shorter sprints and slightly longer sprints. Something like this…start to center, center to start, start to finish, finish to middle, middle to finish, finish to start. One minute, ninety seconds or two minutes.
3: Circle Run
Draw a large circle in the center of your course. Approximately 40 ‘ in diameter Make sure to make four corners with a stone or cone or driftwood because these are your stop, turn and go points. Also, keep in mind you will be running forwards and backwards. You will have to be creative. The pitch of the beach also added an additional challenge. You can run a full circle forwards or backwards, half or quarter. One minute to two minutes.
5: Hook & Go
This is a simple route that a wide receiver on a football team would run. From the start line, sprint 10 yards - stop and turn inward or outward (practice both) then sprint to the other end of the course. Practice looking back towards the start line at the end of your final sprint to the fictitious goal line. You can gently jog or even walk back to the start line and repeat this 3 to 5 times.
6: Defensive Back Route
In this drill you are taking on the role of covering an offensive player running a hook and go route. So this time you will be running backwards for 10 yards then turning and running to the opposite end of the course. Walk or slowly jog back and repeat 3 to 5 times.
7: Zig Zag (Out & In)
Place stones/cones or any marker that won’t twist an ankle or hurt your feet if you step on it accidentally in a zigzag pattern from one end of the course to the other. 5 to 6 markers from end to end. Play with the distance between cones. Some short, some longer.
8: Go-Stop-Turn-Go
With this drill it is best to have a partner barking commands. When they say go, you go. When they say stop, you stop. When they say turn and come back, you turn and come back. Kind of like “Simon Says” intervals. You can use the markers on the course or add new ones for start and finish points.
9: Cross Drill
This is a great routine done on a grade because it adds an additional challenge to this routine. With a stick or your foot make a giant X in the sand. Each line in the X anywhere from 20 to 30 yards. Put cones/markers at the tip of all four ends of the X. These are your finish points before you head back in to the center of the X. The center is considered your safe zone or break spot before your partner sends you off in one of four directions: sideways, forwards or backwards.
10: Box Drill
The Box Drill is similar to the cross drill. To set up your course just make straight lines from each outer corner of the X. That is your square. The corners are now your pause points in the drill. As with many of the other drills you have forward, backward and sideway options. An additional element when moving sideways is facing inward or outward in the box as you move from corner to corner.
Enjoy!
From The DailyOM ~ Finding Balance
Earthbound
The Pursuit of Conscious Wholeness
Striking the right balance between our physical and spiritual aspects is one
of the most challenging aspects of existence. We are dual beings by nature,
spiritual entities bound to earth by physical bodies. In our lifetimes, we
are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending both with equal devotion
and love. Yet while both aspects of the self are deserving of honor and
respect, there is a tendency for people who are more spiritually focused to
ignore, avoid, or dismiss their bodies. Similarly, many individuals are
entirely ensconced in the carnal realm and pay no attention to the needs of
the soul. In both cases, an adjustment is in order. We are whole only to the
degree that we embrace both sides of our beings.
If the soul is the inward manifestation of our consciousness, the body is
the living, breathing expression of that consciousness. The physical self
provides the home in which the spiritual self takes root and flourishes.
Just as we must tend to the seed of the soul to ensure that it grows strong,
so, too, must we care for the protective shell that is the body to make
certain it is capable of playing its role in our development. Though there
will no doubt be times in our lives when we feel more comfortable focusing
on the spiritual self or the physical self, denying the fundamental
importance of one or the other can lead to ill health, emotional distress,
and a sense of incompleteness. Both facets of the human experience play a
vital role in our well-being.
The body and the soul are the yin and yang of our current reality. They are,
at this point of human evolution, irreparably bound together, and many
spiritual teachers agree that the body is one of the greatest vehicles
through which to access the soul. In fact, many believe that our spirit has
chosen to be embodied as an essential part of our spiritual development.
Consequently, it is the responsibility of each person on the planet to forge
a marriage between the two, so that these disparate aspects bring out the
best in each other, creating a vibrant, dynamic, and workable whole.
The Pursuit of Conscious Wholeness
Striking the right balance between our physical and spiritual aspects is one
of the most challenging aspects of existence. We are dual beings by nature,
spiritual entities bound to earth by physical bodies. In our lifetimes, we
are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending both with equal devotion
and love. Yet while both aspects of the self are deserving of honor and
respect, there is a tendency for people who are more spiritually focused to
ignore, avoid, or dismiss their bodies. Similarly, many individuals are
entirely ensconced in the carnal realm and pay no attention to the needs of
the soul. In both cases, an adjustment is in order. We are whole only to the
degree that we embrace both sides of our beings.
If the soul is the inward manifestation of our consciousness, the body is
the living, breathing expression of that consciousness. The physical self
provides the home in which the spiritual self takes root and flourishes.
Just as we must tend to the seed of the soul to ensure that it grows strong,
so, too, must we care for the protective shell that is the body to make
certain it is capable of playing its role in our development. Though there
will no doubt be times in our lives when we feel more comfortable focusing
on the spiritual self or the physical self, denying the fundamental
importance of one or the other can lead to ill health, emotional distress,
and a sense of incompleteness. Both facets of the human experience play a
vital role in our well-being.
The body and the soul are the yin and yang of our current reality. They are,
at this point of human evolution, irreparably bound together, and many
spiritual teachers agree that the body is one of the greatest vehicles
through which to access the soul. In fact, many believe that our spirit has
chosen to be embodied as an essential part of our spiritual development.
Consequently, it is the responsibility of each person on the planet to forge
a marriage between the two, so that these disparate aspects bring out the
best in each other, creating a vibrant, dynamic, and workable whole.
Friday, December 18, 2009
More Bad News
Reuters) - Cardiovascular disease and stroke will cost the United States an estimated $503.2 billion in 2010, an increase of nearly 6 percent, and many cases could have been prevented, the American Heart Association said on Thursday.
HEALTH
The figure includes both health care costs and lost productivity due to death and disease, according to an update published online in the journal Circulation.
The heart association says obesity and other risk factors, like too little exercise and poor diet, are fueling the expected increase in health care costs associated with heart disease and stroke.
"Current statistical data show Americans to be on average overweight, physically inactive and eating a diet that is too high in calories, sodium, fat and sugar," said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, head of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee.
Lloyd-Jones, a cardiologist at Northwestern University in Chicago, said too many people do not take cholesterol-lowering medicines that could lower their risk.
"One reason it will cost us more to treat tomorrow's patients is because there will be more of them if current trends continue," Lloyd-Jones said in a statement.
According to the heart association, 59 percent of adults who responded to a 2008 national survey described themselves as physically inactive.
The report also says fewer than half of people with heart disease symptoms are receiving cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States and in most industrialized countries. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes accounted for 32 percent of all deaths globally in 2005.
The heart association said the number of inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures jumped 33 percent from 1996 to 2006, from 5.4 million to 7.2 million.
By 2020, the American Heart Association hopes to reduce U.S. deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.
"To reach the 2020 goals, Americans must start making healthier lifestyle choices," Lloyd-Jones said.
(Editing by Maggie Fox)
HEALTH
The figure includes both health care costs and lost productivity due to death and disease, according to an update published online in the journal Circulation.
The heart association says obesity and other risk factors, like too little exercise and poor diet, are fueling the expected increase in health care costs associated with heart disease and stroke.
"Current statistical data show Americans to be on average overweight, physically inactive and eating a diet that is too high in calories, sodium, fat and sugar," said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, head of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee.
Lloyd-Jones, a cardiologist at Northwestern University in Chicago, said too many people do not take cholesterol-lowering medicines that could lower their risk.
"One reason it will cost us more to treat tomorrow's patients is because there will be more of them if current trends continue," Lloyd-Jones said in a statement.
According to the heart association, 59 percent of adults who responded to a 2008 national survey described themselves as physically inactive.
The report also says fewer than half of people with heart disease symptoms are receiving cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States and in most industrialized countries. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes accounted for 32 percent of all deaths globally in 2005.
The heart association said the number of inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures jumped 33 percent from 1996 to 2006, from 5.4 million to 7.2 million.
By 2020, the American Heart Association hopes to reduce U.S. deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.
"To reach the 2020 goals, Americans must start making healthier lifestyle choices," Lloyd-Jones said.
(Editing by Maggie Fox)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fat Planet
Studies Show Obesity Taking Hold In Africa And UK
15 Dec 2009 00:01:09 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Cheap, poor quality food driving up African obesity levels
* Second study predicts one in 10 English kids obese by 2015
* Researchers say poor and ill-educated most at risk
By Kate Kelland
LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Obesity is becoming more common among poor city dwellers in Africa because of easier access to cheap, high fat, high sugar foods, scientists said on Tuesday.
Researchers looking at data from seven African countries found the number of people overweight or obese increased by nearly 35 percent between the early 1990s and early 2000s and the rate of increase in obesity was higher among poor people.
"Given the chronic nature of most diseases associated with obesity and by extension the huge cost of treatment, the prospects look grim for the already under-funded and ill-equipped African health care systems unless urgent action is taken," said Abdhalah Ziraba, who worked on the research with the African Population and Health Research Centre in Nairobi.
The study, published in the BioMed Central Public Health journal, found that while rich people in urban areas of Africa were more likely to be overweight or obese than others, the rate of increase in obesity was higher among the poor.
The data chimes with findings from the World Health Organisation, which said in October that being overweight has now overtaken being underweight among the world's leading causes of death.
"Despite being the least urbanised continent, Africa's population is becoming increasingly urban and its cities are growing at unprecedented rates," Ziraba said in the study.
"In spite of rampant poverty in urban areas, access to cheap foods with a high content of fat and sugar is commonplace."
Obesity levels are rising across the world and threatening to overwhelm health care systems and government health budgets with the costs of handling the high number of cases of diabetes, heart disease and cancer that being overweight can cause.
The number of people with diabetes -- one of the major chronic diseases caused by excess weight -- is already reaching epidemic levels, with an estimated 180 million people suffering from it around the world.
A second study published on Tuesday focussing on the problem in England found one in 10 children there will be obese by 2015, with the poorest at far greater risk than the rich.
Researchers said the gap between the most and least well off sectors of society was set to widen, with more children from poor and less educated households caught in the obesity trap.
"If trends continue as they have been between 1995 and 2007 in 2015 the number and prevalence of obese young people is projected to increase dramatically, and these increases will affect lower social classes to a larger extent," Emmanuel Stamatakis, of the epidemiology and public health department of University College London said in the study.
Stamatakis and fellow researchers looked at obesity trends in England from 1995 to 2007 in children and young people and then predicted obesity levels in 2015.
Obesity among all boys aged 2 to 10 in 2015 was forecast at 10.1 percent, but the worse case scenario could see a prevalence of 13.5 percent. Among girls the figures were 8.9 percent and 9.3 percent respectively, the researchers said in their study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
For comparison, in the United States, which has a severe obesity problem, more than 26 percent of Americans are obese and nearly a third rated as overweight. (Editing by Matthew Jones)
15 Dec 2009 00:01:09 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Cheap, poor quality food driving up African obesity levels
* Second study predicts one in 10 English kids obese by 2015
* Researchers say poor and ill-educated most at risk
By Kate Kelland
LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Obesity is becoming more common among poor city dwellers in Africa because of easier access to cheap, high fat, high sugar foods, scientists said on Tuesday.
Researchers looking at data from seven African countries found the number of people overweight or obese increased by nearly 35 percent between the early 1990s and early 2000s and the rate of increase in obesity was higher among poor people.
"Given the chronic nature of most diseases associated with obesity and by extension the huge cost of treatment, the prospects look grim for the already under-funded and ill-equipped African health care systems unless urgent action is taken," said Abdhalah Ziraba, who worked on the research with the African Population and Health Research Centre in Nairobi.
The study, published in the BioMed Central Public Health journal, found that while rich people in urban areas of Africa were more likely to be overweight or obese than others, the rate of increase in obesity was higher among the poor.
The data chimes with findings from the World Health Organisation, which said in October that being overweight has now overtaken being underweight among the world's leading causes of death.
"Despite being the least urbanised continent, Africa's population is becoming increasingly urban and its cities are growing at unprecedented rates," Ziraba said in the study.
"In spite of rampant poverty in urban areas, access to cheap foods with a high content of fat and sugar is commonplace."
Obesity levels are rising across the world and threatening to overwhelm health care systems and government health budgets with the costs of handling the high number of cases of diabetes, heart disease and cancer that being overweight can cause.
The number of people with diabetes -- one of the major chronic diseases caused by excess weight -- is already reaching epidemic levels, with an estimated 180 million people suffering from it around the world.
A second study published on Tuesday focussing on the problem in England found one in 10 children there will be obese by 2015, with the poorest at far greater risk than the rich.
Researchers said the gap between the most and least well off sectors of society was set to widen, with more children from poor and less educated households caught in the obesity trap.
"If trends continue as they have been between 1995 and 2007 in 2015 the number and prevalence of obese young people is projected to increase dramatically, and these increases will affect lower social classes to a larger extent," Emmanuel Stamatakis, of the epidemiology and public health department of University College London said in the study.
Stamatakis and fellow researchers looked at obesity trends in England from 1995 to 2007 in children and young people and then predicted obesity levels in 2015.
Obesity among all boys aged 2 to 10 in 2015 was forecast at 10.1 percent, but the worse case scenario could see a prevalence of 13.5 percent. Among girls the figures were 8.9 percent and 9.3 percent respectively, the researchers said in their study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
For comparison, in the United States, which has a severe obesity problem, more than 26 percent of Americans are obese and nearly a third rated as overweight. (Editing by Matthew Jones)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Calling all Military Personnel!
I'm DC bound to train elected officials and lead a monster class at Andrews Air Force Base. I want a handful of before and after photos from members of the U.S. Military. I need them to convince Washington that P90X keeps people in uniform fit and ready. I'm also trying to convince the DOD to distribute P90X as Standard Issue for all military personnel. Send those photos ASAP!
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