The Fitness Guru with a Plan
For those under the age of 30, health is rarely a top priority. But, a certain fitness guru from the Windy City has a simple plan of action to get college students in shape by the year 2010. Join our Chicago writer, Dennise Pineda for the details.
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Chicago, IL--- Freshmen fifteen, beer guts and that pesky baby fat--there is no doubt that college students are the unhealthiest bunch around. In fact, according to recent findings, the generation topped off by age 23 is the unhealthiest generation in history.
The electronic age has caused most college students to lead sedentary lifestyles prompting the medical community to change the name of adult diabetes to type 2 diabetes due to a huge rise in pre-pubescent teens being diagnosed with the illness.
Enter Mark Brticevich, fitness director for Columbia College Chicago and Roosevelt University, as well as a personal wellness professor at Columbia College. Brticevich is the former CFO of the Chicago Public Library and as he puts it "lived life in the fast lane" by abusing alcohol and drugs on a regular basis and measuring in at a 46 inch waist, the man was a walking heart attack.
He was severely depressed and knew he had to make a change, and change he did. He gave up his habits cold turkey and began to exercise feverishly. As the pounds melted off, Brticevich began seeing life in a new perspective and wanted to share this newfound knowledge with other unhealthy souls.
He quit his job, went back to school and got certified in nutrition and physical fitness. It was while exploring this new endeavor that he learned about the "special population" that desperately needed help with fitness, senior citizens and the aforementioned young unhealthy generation.
In 1996, the United States surgeon general proclaimed that a sedentary lifestyle is equal to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. According to Brticevich, when the surgeon general speaks, everyone listens and this proclamation prompted a nationwide action plan designed by the US Public Health Service called "Healthy People 2000" and later reformed, tweaked and renamed Healthy People 2010.
The plan is geared towards achieving two broad goals, the elimination of health disparities and the increase of life span and the quality of life by focusing on 28 areas and 10 leading health indicators.
Comments
Thanks for the long and insightful post. It's interesting to see that they recommend that you should eat every 3 hours. So I'm assuming you never actually sit down for a large meal. I must say that I think that is a bit much to ask for on a long term basis.I also like the fact that it is saying to start out small when exercising. That is a great idea you don't want to push too much. I have had lots of experience in fitness consulting and I know this to be true.Nice post really enjoyed it. Sam
Rather than all these rules such as walking 10,000 steps / day, we should just be more active. Take the steps at the train station instead of the escalators. Eat healthy and engage in regular exercise.
Avoid sweets, candies and soft drinks.
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