FOX Broadcasting Company: MORE TO LOVE

FOX Broadcasting Company: MORE TO LOVE

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Is Being Overweight Considered Normal?

Something that I noticed recently is the increase in stories and media dealing with overweight and obese individuals; and more specifically the idea that being overweight is the norm or status quo. I have a problem with this on a number of levels but first will discuss some of what I have seen in the last few days.

While watching a prime-time television program this past week I saw a commercial trailer for an upcoming dating show. We have all seen the shows like The Bachelor and Bachelorette, and even shows like Average Joe etc. The latest one that will begin showing in the next few weeks on Fox is titled "More To Love", and is basically "the bachelor" for overweight contestants. Don't get me wrong, I am all for accepting someone for who they are, and think that everyone has the right to find love, a significant other, and happiness. My problem with this show, is that it is being marketed in way that "normal", "real", and "regular" means that they are overweight. I know that it is a real struggle to lose weight, but supporting shows like "More to Love" I believe that it is facilitating an inaccurate standard, enabling bad habits, and saying that being overweight is normal and healthly. You can watch the trailer just below this blog.

The second example of this change in standard comes from an article I read online last week about clothing sizes. I wish I would have bookmarked the article so I could link it from here, but basically stated that clothing companies are consciously decreasing the numbers to market to the overweight and obese population. What used to be a size 14-15 is now a size 10-11. Now if the same person walks into one store and trys on a pair of jeans that says "14" and fits comfortably, and then trys on a different brand that says "10" even though they fit the same, which pair do you think they are going to buy? It is smart marketing to sell pants, but just like the TV show above, it does nothing to address the health, or fitness, and furthers the idea that being overweight is no longer overweight, but normal.

What really made me decide to write and get some feedback on the subject was a movie. I was watching the movie "Wall-E" with my kids the other night, and in the movie all of the humans are obese and spend all there time in chairs; eating and watching the tvs in front of them that are their lifeline for everything. It made for good comedy, and I know its a far reach, but when do we recognize the difference between entertainment and real life. How far and fat are willing to go before we recognize the problems that we face?

Great Henderson Hike - Short but Gratifying

Hiking is one of the best sources of exercises because it involves cardio, strenth, and intervals etc. The only problem is that many times, we look at hiking as something we need to plan for, and that takes a long time. When I think of hiking, I usually think about day long hikes or treks that take 4 or 5 hours that span many miles.

The other day, I set off for my daily run. I ran up E. Horizon Ridge where the road ends and turns into a dirt road for miles. Initially, I planned on running for a set period of time, turning around and return home. But as I began running down the dirt road I looked up to my right at the high, and steep mountain side that overlooks all of henderson. I decided to run as much as I could and hike the rest to the top.

It didn't take too long to find out that I wouldn't be running too much. The trail is steep, and the majority of the trail is covered by shale and loose rock. Needless to say, although from the bottom to the top is only maybe a quarter of a mile, it is very steep and difficult. And just when you reach the top you see that there is another little saddle and the real summit is another 300 meters away. When you reach the top, someone has posted a make shift flag to signal the accomplishment.

From the top you can look northeast to the las vegas valley and see some of the strip hotels in the far distance, but the best views are of henderson, lake las vegas and even lake mead. It is definatly worth the hike to view the city from this vantage point. I took some pictures that I have posted below but they don't do justice to how high you really are. You have to see it in person.

Directions: Drive to the end of E. Horizon Ridge and park you car. start walking south/southwest. You will immediatly see the trail off the right hand side of the road. Allow yourself around and hour to get up and back. Happy Hiking!

Don't Let the Summer Heat Melt Your Resolve

As the summer suns rays grow in intensity, people begin to start shedding layers of clothing to compensate. Many times, as the extra layers of clothing come off, people relize that those extra layers have covered up and allowed them to add extra layers of fat. Since the summer invites outdoor recreation, most people are motivated to shed the extra weight for bathing suit season, but find that the heat makes it difficult to have the desire to get out and sweat in high temperatures.

I started to think about this yesterday as I went on my run. We have had an abnormally moderate June here in Vegas and the heat has not played a huge role. However, I headed out for a run at about 5:00 pm yesterday planning on a quick 30 minutes. I had noticed that it was hotter than it has been, but I decided that I would be fine without taking water since I would only be gone 30 minutes. Half way into the run I realized I was wrong. When I returned home, I was more tired than I should have been, thirsty, and light-headed. I realized that it was time to start following three major rules of exercising the heat.

Rule #1-Dawn or Dusk- When exercising in the summer it is wise to avoid the sun. Exercising in the morning or evening is encouraged to decrease thermal stress. (For every 1 degree that your internal temperature rises, your heart rate increase 10 beats per minute) Because the Heart has to work harder in the heat, it is important to moniter your heart rate before, during, and after exercise periods. If you are not aware of your target heart rate training zone, you can ask your doctor, or send me an email at fitness_evolution_lv@yahoo.com and I will provide you with the information.

Rule #2- Drink, Drink, Drink- You should begin by drinking 8-14 ounces of water at least 20 minutes before you begin, and an additional 8 ounces for every twenty minutes of exercise to prevent dehydration. If you become thirsty, you have gone too long and your body is entering the early stages of dehydration. For most individuals, water fulfills all the fluid requirments of the body, however, individuals who exercise for more than 45 minutes, and whose work is primarily aerobic in nature, should consider using a sports drink like Gatorade that will replace electrolytes lost through sweat. It also provides calories (energy) for continued energy.

Rule #3- Dress for the temperature of the activity. I always get a kick out of people at the gym who are wearing plastic gym suits, or have on full sweat suits because they think if they sweat more, they will burn calories faster. Sweat=water weight, so while they might see a very small and insignificant amount of loss, it comes from water, not fat tissue. If anything it is putting the body at higher risk by placing the heart under excess stress. Unless you are a boxer or wrestler that has to cut weight for a weigh-in, there is no reason to "sweat it off". Sweat suits also interfere with the evaporation of sweat and raise the core temperature of the body. Wear loose-fitting, light and breathable fabrics like cotton or cool-max, and you will see greater results, feel better, and be safer.

By following the simple rules above, you can take advantage of all of the recreational activities that the Las Vegas area has to offer year-round. I know that I will not be doing another late-afternoon run without taking my water with me.