Editor hopes to get people thinking about fitness
Aug. 9, 2002

Colleen Passalacqua Colleen is the Observer-Dispatch features editor. E-mail her at: cpassala@utica.gannett.com.

I received a letter the other day that said, “I just can’t take your articles anymore.”

Then it said, “Don’t be offended ...”

The letter was from a former high school classmate who said she enjoys my writing, but doesn’t like the way I’m presenting myself to readers. Apparently, I come across as being weak and depressed about my weight all the time, she wrote. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“You are absolutely one of the strongest people I know, both physically and mentally,” she said in the letter.

Now she was making more sense!

She ended by saying, “I wish you the best of luck and hope that in future articles you give your readers a better sense of what a tough cookie you are.”

By the end of the letter she redeemed herself from the abrupt start.

So I decided to take her up on it.

Many people have told me I’m brave to try losing weight publicly. Others have said I’m stupid.

But the point of this column isn’t about promoting a certain image for myself — it’s about getting people thinking about their own weight and overall health. If my self-deprecating humor makes people laugh and gets them motivated to do something for themselves, I consider the column a success.

My friend’s letter said she never told me her thoughts in the past because topics related to weight generally are taboo. “But since you opened the door with your article, I’m going to share my thoughts with you,” she said.

I think that’s great! I want people to talk about their weight and heart disease and other problems caused by obesity. Especially since, according to the American Heart Association, almost one in every two women will die of heart disease or stroke.

I’m trying to break that taboo by sharing my experiences with those who can relate to them. From the feedback I’ve been getting, people are starting to talk AND move.

Some people have told me they are walking or swimming every day because they know I am. Then I told them I wasn’t exercising every day. But after hearing about their motivation, they motivated me.

This week I have walked every day for 15 minutes. According to the program’s physical activity quiz, I should be active for 15 minutes per day, two to three times per week. Obviously, that’s easier than 30 minutes. I’m more motivated to move now that I’m walking at the right pace.

Wednesday was the program’s third meeting. We learned about the three types of physical activity: aerobic, stretching and strength training. We took care of the aerobic by walking. Then some physical therapists from the Sitrin Family of Services showed us some strength-training techniques and stretches.

It was a very informative session. One interesting tidbit: people begin to lose lean muscle after their mid-20s and up to a pound of muscle each year past age 50.

Another reason why strength training is important, no matter what your age.