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Program
teaches benefits of exercise
Aug. 2, 2002
It
seems some people are asking, “How much DO you weigh?”
My answer is: I’m not saying.
Asking me that is like asking me to march naked down
Genesee Street in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Most people realize that’s a very personal question,
even if I am writing about my struggle with weight.
The question came up during the editing process of my
first column, and I said I’d address it. At that time,
I told a fellow editor I would drop the Choose to Move
project if I had to disclose my weight to 100,000 readers.
I don’t tell anyone how much I weigh.
The only person I’ve told is one of my four sisters,
and that’s only because she can relate to what I’m going
through. My mom doesn’t even know.
Weight is such a private issue for so many people. At
the first meeting of the program, we all got weighed.
One woman asked the person weighing us if she could
put a screen in front of the scale for privacy. I was
all for that!
Unfortunately, one person’s curiosity about my weight
got the better of her. A woman in line behind me inched
her way beyond the screen to read what the scale said.
I actually could see her whispering to her husband.
I guess there’ll always be someone who is mean-spirited.
I went to my second meeting Wednesday, where the organizers
gave me a water bottle. I filled it and walked a mile.
It wasn’t an easy mile for me, but I made it. I was
surprised, though, that nobody told us to stretch before
walking. Stretching is very important and can help prevent
injuries.
After the walk, they talked with us about whether we
are exercising now and the excuses we make. The biggest
excuse was not enough time, but they said we just have
to make time. They even said 30 minutes of activity
doesn’t have to be in one block. I can walk 10 minutes
in the morning, another 10 at lunch and the final 10
at night.
Linda Turner from the Utica Roadrunners asked if anyone
was doing something active. Nobody said anything at
first.
“NOTHING?”
she asked in a very surprised and disappointed voice.
I was thinking — feeling very guilty and ashamed — “That’s
right, I’m doing nothing.” But then some people started
talking. One woman exercises with a church group, another
walks and one even ice skates. Vicky Jacobson of Rome
rides her bike because she wants to set a good example
for her son. What a great motivation.
I guess we won’t walk every week. We also can swim and
learn about strength training. I don’t know about swimming
... wearing a bathing suit in front of all those people.
Think they’ll let me wear sweat pants in the pool?
Weight training sounds better. Linda said moderate strength
training, between 15 and 20 minutes a day, can add six
to seven years to your life.
For that kind of return, I think maybe I can invest
some time.
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