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CELEBRATE NATIONAL PHYSICAL
FITNESS MONTH! VISIT WASHINGTON, DC "Nations have passed away and left no traces, and history gives the naked causes of it-one single reason in all cases; they fell because their peoples were not fit."
- Rudyard Kipling
By Rob Wilkins Special Assistant for the IFBB  After a long, grueling winter of frigid temperatures and shoveling snow off the steps of our nation's capital, it is time for the Cherry Blossoms to bloom and the tourists to emerge. Rarely is there a better time to visit Washington, D.C. than in the spring. At the heart of the nation's capital is an energetic population that enjoys the pleasures of running the winding streets of Georgetown, rowing down the Potomac, or pumping iron at one of the areas many fine health and fitness centers. As the nation celebrates National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (NPFSM) perhaps now is the time for you to consider taking a trip to Washington, D.C. and taking advantage of the many fun activities the city has to offer while also recommitting yourself to an active lifestyle.In 1983, President Ronald Reagan, designated May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in part due to the lack of physical activity among Americans of all ages. This epidemic is so serious that it's considered to be a major health risk factor. Inactivity and poor diet cause at least 300,000 deaths a year in the United States. This is more than by infectious disease, firearms, motor vehicles and illicit drug use, combined! During his speech at the largest-ever conference on childhood obesity, Dr. Richard Carmona, the U.S. surgeon general, called obesity the fastest growing cause of illness and death in the United States and said it deserved more attention than any other epidemic (3). More and more, trends show that Americans are adopting sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits. Seven in ten adults are not regularly active. Nearly one-third of US adults are now classified as obese, and young people are increasingly overweight. The problem of overweight/obesity in America costs $117 billion annually and accounts for at least 14 percent of deaths in the US, or some 300,000 premature deaths each year (1). HOW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IMPACTS HEALTH: Regular physical activity, performed on most days of the week, greatly reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways: · Reduces the risk of dying prematurely · Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety · Helps control weight · Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints · Helps build muscle tissue which uses calories at a faster rate than body fat · Helps older adults maintain the ability to live independently and reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones Because physical inactivity is a risk factor for many diseases and conditions, making physical activity an integral part of daily life is crucial. Physical inactivity threatens to reverse the decades-long progress that has been made in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with many chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. A physically inactive population is at both medical and financial risk for many chronic diseases and conditions including heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis (2). PRESIDENT BUSH'S HEALTH AND FITNESS INITIATIVE 
Recently, President Bush outlined his Health and Fitness Initiative. The primary message of this initiative is that healthy Americans benefit our entire society. If you're interested in improving America, you can do so by taking care of your own body.
"So long as we're here in Washington, we will do everything we can, as we travel around the country, to demonstrate ways to help keep America fit," said the President. "It is important for all of us to be responsible for the decisions we make in life. It's important for us to be responsible for taking care of our own health. And as we do so, not only will we each have a more fulfilling life, collectively we'll make a great contribution to the country we love. Take a small step for America by exercising on a daily basis," said Bush. TIPS TO KEEP YOU GOING · Adopt a specific plan and write it down. · Keep setting realistic goals as you go along, and remind yourself of them often. · Keep a log to record your progress and make sure to keep it up-to-date. · Upgrade your fitness program as you progress. · Enlist the support and company of your family and friends. · Avoid injuries by pacing yourself and including a warm-up and cool down period as part of every workout. · Reward yourself periodically for a job well done! (Source: www.fitness.gov) GET FIT IN DC: Few places in the United States offer more to see and do than Washington, D.C. The DC area is filled with many great attractions all within walking distance for residents and tourists alike who want to maintain their fitness program while in town. Besides the great museums, other sites of interest to see are the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral, the Pentagon, Iwo Jima, the White House, and for those looking for a real physical challenge, look no further than "the Exorcist stairs." Located on Prospect and "M" Street, the stairs were made famous in the 1973 horror classic, "The Exorcist," written by Georgetown alumnus William Peter Blatty. The narrow 75 stairs and its three landings stairs are the equivalent of a five-story building, and while it's easy to make the journey down, going up is a lot tougher. The Washington DC area is also home to a number of well-known IFBB Pro athletes such as 7-time Ms. Olympia, Lenda Murray, Kevin Levrone, Yohnnie Shambourger, Lisa Reed, Bethany Howlett, and AmyYanagisawa-Wilkins. GET MOVING: Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be effective. Research has demonstrated that virtually all individuals can benefit from regular physical activity, whether they participate in vigorous exercise or some type of moderate health-enhancing physical activity. Summer is just around the corner so now is the perfect time for you and your family, friends, and co-workers to take part in a physically active lifestyle. Take advantage of the great weather, visit the Nation's capital, and during National Physical Fitness & Sports month, focus on the positive benefits of physical activity. The evidence is clear; a healthier America is a stronger America! For more information on National Physical Fitness and Sports Month or the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports visit their web site at www.fitness.gov. __________________________________________________________________________________ Rob Wilkins is a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at The Pentagon, Washington, DC. Wilkins is also a Special Assistant for the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at Robifbb@yahoo.com. References: 1. Council announces new fitness award to encourage physical activity, www.fitness.gov/news/fitaward/fitaward.html 2. Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease, June 20, 2002 3. San Francisco Chronicle, Jan 7, 03 HEALTH RELATED PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION National Institutes of Health 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 web page - http://www.nih.gov/ President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Department W 200 Independence Ave., SW Room 738-H Washington, D.C. 20201-0004 Phone: 202-690-9000 Web link: http://fitness.gov/index.html Gold's Gym 3910 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 516-4653 Gold's Gym 409 3rd St. SW Washington, DC 20024 (202) 554-4653 The Sports Club/LA 1170 22nd St, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 974-6600 Results the Gym 1612 U St. NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 518-0001 Washington Sports Clubs 1990 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 785-4900 http://www.mysportsclubs.com Washington Sports Clubs 2800 Clarendon Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 465-2828 http://www.mysportsclubs.com Contribution by Kathy Watson | ||||||
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