Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Update & Final Reflection

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  This week was a little more tricky.  I was able to get out there every day, but not for the entire 30 minutes.
2. With the semester winding down and work schedules keeping me running around town every single day, I would pack the two puppies in my car, bring them along for errands and work so I was able to stop at one of the parks on the way home.
3. I did feel rushed at times.  And the cold weather is darn freezing now!  The puppies still love every minute of freedom, but we know its time to stop when their poor little toes start bleeding from breaking through the crispy, icy snow.
4. Organization, minute by minute planning.  We all have 24 hours in a day...spend it wisely and prioritize.
5. We will definitely continue these fun outdoor adventures for the upcoming weeks.  Hopefully we'll be able to visit the new parks more often.

OVERALL REFLECTION

1. I will take my dogs to Hartley Nature Center for a 30-40 minute walk/run, 3 times during the week days.  My goal did change somewhat throughout the weeks, rather than just going to Hartley, we were able to explore some other parks around Duluth.
2. It helped to keep a schedule- go the same time on the same days each week and stick to it.  Yes, things happen and schedules change, but it wasn't too much to fit it in at another time.
3. The benefits: it made get outdoors in the cold weather!  We were able to find new parks that I normally would not go to.
4. I guess just by telling the story of the two dogs and talking about the new place we went today and the funny things that they would do brought awareness to others of what out there and available to us in Duluth.  Hopefully people will take the time to visit the parks themselves.  This might be an outreach, but again after hearing Abby & Ranger's story, people will be encouraged to check out the local shelter when & if they're looking for a new pet.
5. Of course we're going to continue this behavior.  It also kind of goes along with the bill that I looked up:  Adults needing to participate in 30-40minutes of daily moderate activity.  I need to continue to promote what I believe in.
6. Baby steps, you can always modify later, but you need to stick to it!

Advocacy Project: Letter to the Editor

December 6, 2010


President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500


Focus Area 22: Physical Activity

• Objective 22.2: Increase the proportion of adults who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day 3 or more days per week.

Currently, a larger number of Americans are not getting the required daily exercise they need and obesity is on the rise.  As adults, we must learn to lead by example.  By not setting a balance, healthy lifestyle for ourselves, our children will easily follow into our footsteps.  They are susceptible to losing control of their own adult lives and become unhealthy with other diseases and health problems.  Physical inactivity causes a tremendous burden of disease and death.  Researchers commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports coined the phrase 'Sedentary Death Syndrome.'o And no wonder. In 2000, the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that approximately "250,000 deaths per year in the United States are premature due to physical inactivity."  Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing forms of heart and cardiovascular diseases.  These can also contribute to further risks of obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, and diabetes.  These are all forms of long-term health problems.

Researchers pointed to evidence in adults that an increase in physical activity can help reduce and address symptoms of depression and anxiety.  Being physical active is a healthy habit with many benefits.  Regular physical activity can improve health and lower risks for diseases.  We must allow people of all ages into general fitness clubs.  Or at least allow them access to clubs that are open for those who can provide there own health care, but cannot provide their own membership at other popular organizations.

Thank you for your time.  We appreciate everything you have and continue to do for this country.  We hope to continue to move forward in bringing awareness of the importance of physical activity.  If I can provide any additional information or assistance please contact me at email@gmail.com or (123) 456-789.

Sincerely, 

Jamie Somrock

Facts About Physical Inactivity

Sedentary Lifestyle: no reported activity or any physical activity or pair of activities done for less than 20 minutes or less than three times per week.

Regular and Sustained: any physical activity or pair of physical activities that are done for 30 minutes or more per session, five or more times per week, regardless of intensity.

Regular and Vigorous: any physical activity or pair of activities done for at least 20 minutes, at least three times per week, that requires rhythmic contraction of large muscle groups at 50% of functional capacity.

• 59% of the New York population reported a sedentary lifestyle
  • 58% of men
  • 60% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 6% higher level of sedentary lifestyle
• 20% of the population meets the criteria for regular and sustained activity levels.
  • 21% of men
  • 19% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 4% higher level of regular and sustained physical activity
• 14% of the population meets the criteria for regular and vigorous activity levels.
  • 13% of men
  • 15% of women
  • The nonwhite population had a 5% higher level of regular and vigorous physical activity