Fitbit has arrived!

1-29-09: It's finally here! Thx to one of the founders, Eric, I was able to get my Fitbit before leaving for the APHA conference next week. I've had it for a couple of days now, so here are some pictures of it.

The Fitbit (www.fitbit.com) is a type of accelorometer that measure my steps, how far I've walked, and how many calories I've burned. It download's the data wireless and automatically to the receiver attached to my PC via USB and uploads my data to my account online. There I can see my progress, data, graphs, goals, etc. I can also log my eating there so I can see calorie balance info and weight loss goals.

Had a bit of a challenge getting the receiver set up on both my computer here at work (network issues) and my iMac at home, but I did get it to communicate and sync up on Keri's Dell laptop. But I wanted to use it at work and upload my data while I'm here, and also show it to patients, so thanks to our clinic's IT, I was able to get the proxy and port info so now it's working fine!

Will have more info on what it's tracking, the website, and how it's going. Initial comparison tests with my Yamax pedometer is very good. Both reading about the same.

Check out the pictures! And maybe someday, this may be a device that is part of a online video game so that your real-life phyiscal activity can be credited in the game, say like...oh, that's top secret and in development! LOL!

Support PA Federal Guidelines!

10-21-09: Take Action: Support Federal Physical Activity Guidelines Please Support Physical Activity Guidelines Take Action!

Important to Pass S 1810 and HR 3851

Please act now to support the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Act (H.R. 3851 and S. 1810), which has just been filed in Congress. This bill would establish federal physical activity guidelines on a five-year cycle, like the nutrition guidelines.

You can send a message to your Senators and Representative, asking them to support and cosponsor H.R. 3851 and S. 1810. Then, please ask your friends and colleagues to do the same. Regularly updated guidelines would do much to improve the health of all Americans.

click HERE to go to the website to take action now!

Westside Steppers Wins $10,000!

10-20-09: Check out this news release on the Westside Stepper's big win! Congrats to them all!

GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON
THE WESTSIDE STEPPERS DRILL TEAM & DRUM SQUAD
AS PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

During the Council meeting of Monday, September 21, 2009, Kenney Rogers, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports will represent the gold medal Spotlight Award along with a $10,000 check to the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for the Westside Stepper Drill Team and Drum Squad. The award recognizes the Parks & Recreation Program of the Year to acknowledge and further promote and support the program physical activity and efforts to positively impact community youth.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009, during the awards ceremony in Sacramento, CA, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Council Chairman Jake Steinfeld presented Glenda Martin-Robinson, Community Recreation Manager and McKennzie Locklin, team member gold medals for the 2009 Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards for the Westside Steppers Drill Team and Drum Squad program for Parks and Recreation Program of the Year on behalf of the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

The Spotlight Awards recognize the efforts of individuals, organizations and events that positively impact the physical activity, fitness levels and well being of California children. The Westside Stepper Drill Team and Drum Squad program has been providing physical activity and positive experience for community youth since September 1, 1991.

Dad on GlideTrak

10-12-09: Check out how my dad, a post-stroke (right side), is walking on the GlideTrak. Hasn't walked like that in years! (Note that the seat is supposed to be a bit higher to let him have a fuller leg extension, but we didn't have time to do all the fine adjustments.)

A 7-seater bike!

10-10-09: Check this bike out! It's called the Cobi bike and seats 7 people! Independant pedaling so you can pedal as slow or fast as you want. Now that's exercising together in a fun way! This was at the Redlands Adventist Academy Home & School Fair.

Be Active Directory PSA!

Free Resource Directory Empowers Local Residents to Eat Healthy and Be Active

Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region Helps Residents Make Health a Priority Even in Tough Economic Times  

San Bernardino, Riverside, and Inyo Counties, September 16, 2009 - The Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region (Network) released its new and improved Be Active Resource Directory to empower community members to be active every day, even on a budget. The Resource Directory not only includes free & low cost physical activity opportunities but also provides valuable nutrition & health assistance resources to encourage San Bernardino, Riverside and Inyo County residents to take steps to improve their health. “The Directory is a great resource for families and individuals who are struggling to stay healthy on a limited budget. It includes free walking clubs, trails and certified farmer’s market locations. I encourage everyone to use the Directory, share it with their family, friends, and co-workers, and make healthy lifestyle changes together,” says Pamela Sampson, RD, Physical Activity Coordinator, Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region.

The Directory is a valuable tool for families to find activities that are free or reasonably priced; for professionals in promoting affordable referrals for their clients; and the community at large who are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle for adults, children and youth. It includes locations for indoor and outdoor recreation and instruction for activities such as hiking, skating, swimming, dancing, equestrian, martial arts, and more. It provides contact information for a variety of nutrition and health services, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, nutrition and physical activity education materials, classes for seniors, and free mammograms and pap smears for those who qualify. Download the Be Active Resource Directory for FREE at http://www.sbcounty.gov/eatwell in the Things You Can Use section.

Eating fruits and vegetables and getting regular physical activity improves overall health and reduces the risk of many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer.  There are many fun ways to get physically active and eat healthy at little or no cost:

·         Walk, bike, or jog with a friend or family member after dinner

·         Plant a fruit and vegetable garden and eat what you grow

·         Play with your kids- tag, jump rope, and hide and seek

·         Purchase fruits and vegetables in season or on sale

·         Dance to your favorite music

·         Use the stairs instead of the elevator

·         Get on and off the bus a couple of blocks away from your work

·         Walk the farmer’s market for fresh fruits & vegetables

The Resource Directory is one of many ways the San Bernardino County Department of Public

Health Nutrition Program, the Riverside County Department of Public Health Nutrition Services and the Network have joined forces to empower low-income Californians to be Champions for Change and make health a priority by eating more fruits and vegetables and being physically active every day.  To learn more about the Network, how to become a Champion for Change and how food stamps can increase your food budget, visit www.cachampionsforchange.net.

For more information, or to inquire how you can have your resource listed in the Be Active Resource Directory, please contact Pamela Sampson, RD, Physical Activity Coordinator, Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region, San Bernardino County DPH-Nutrition, 909-387-9144 or psampson@dph.sbcounty.gov.

PA Helps Elderly

9-15-09: Rec'd this article on how physical activity helps the elderly! Adds further evidence to what we've seen from the "Blue Zone" research and book.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Geriatrics/GeneralGeriatrics/15949