This week, many of us are hitting the 10 miler as a Steady State workout on Monday, so we’ll come back with a focus on shorter, faster intervals on Thursday (the only Thursday track workout of the year - next week back to Tuesday). Here you go!
Call me a dreamer (everyone else does- among other things), but articles like this one out of Wake Forest really makes me wonder when the day will come where we require some sort of action on the part of individuals to accompany their prescriptions.
Here’s the article: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543855/?sc=dwhr;xy=5040555. It demonstrates significantly negative cardiovascular effects to certain types of Diabetes drugs. This isn’t new, nor will it be the last time. What if, instead of looking for ways to decrease the costs of drugs, we provided a discount to individuals who - in the case of diabetes - demonstrated consistent activity, weight loss and healthy eating (which obviously all go together)?
The result would be far better long-term health for all involved, cost savings to tax payors, and a discount to those who are doing something more to improve their health than placing a pill in their mouth.
Someday…
Thanks to Michele Baker for the following highlights:
Minnesota Group Works to Create a More Physically Active Community
August 8, 2008
Bemidji Pioneer
http://www.rwjf.org/publichealth/digest.jsp?id=8374&c=EMC-ND141
Mississippi Schools Receive Funding for Prevention Education
August 11, 2008
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/publichealth/digest.jsp?id=8366&c=EMC-ND141
Leaders nip, tuck healthcare policy
August 11, 2008
The Boston Globe
Business Plays Role in Obesity Crisis
August 11, 2008
Miami Herald
http://shapingamericashealth.org/myhealth/getthefacts/news/familiesnews223.html
Outdoor educators pushing for ‘No Child Left Inside’ funding
August 11, 2008
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-08-10-students-outdoors_N.htm
Ohio Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign Stirs Controversy
August 12, 2008
The Cincinnati Inquirer
http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/digest.jsp?id=8398&c=OTC-RSS&attr=DI
In summer, obesity rules
August 12, 2008
The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2008/08/12/in_summer_obesity_rules/
Struggling Madison Parks Division looks for private money to maintain city’s green spaces
August 14, 2008
Wisconsin State Journal
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/300622
Goodwill, Self-Esteem Harvested In Community Garden Program
August 17, 2008
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/15/AR2008081503587.html
Though still slim, Colorado’s obesity rate is growing
August 19, 2008
Rocky Mountain News
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/19/its-official-coloradans-remain-skinniest-us/
439,000 more get health coverage
August 20, 2008
The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/08/20/439000_more_get_health_coverage/
“Good” fat may be new weapon in obesity fight
August 20, 2008
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN2043946220080820
After more of an endurance/pacing workout last week, we’ll focus in more on speed with the additional rest in this week’s workout. Here’s the rundown…
Did you see it? Big announcement last week based on a national survey. Companies will be facing “ONLY” an 11% increase in their health care premiums in 2009. Isn’t that fantastic news?
Are you kidding me? 11% increase is good news? Is anyone else laughing along with me? Can you imagine if your accounting costs went up 11% (for the 8th straight year)? Or what if your lease jumped 11% again. Would that be good news?
Fortunately, some forward-thinking companies have stopped covering their eyes. They’ve stopped being shocked by the annual increases and started taking action. They’re initiating an employee wellness program that will not only reduce those health care (and disability!) costs over the long run, but will also impact critical areas like sick time and retention. Well done! Are we prejudiced about the value of employee wellness programs? Of course we are! It’s what we do. But we wouldn’t be doing what we do if we didn’t see the positive impact in company after company after company.
Let’s take off the blindfolds and fix the problem - not just figure out new and different ways to pay for the annual increases…
Thanks to Michele Baker for the following highlights from the past week…
Reconsidering Local Food: Putting it in your own backyard
Urban Alliance for Sustainability
Jewish Exponent: Philly Nonprofit Lets the Kids Veg Out
July 24, 2008
The Food Trust
http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/press/news_detail.php?id=82
Walking Maps Promote Healthy Community Living
July 26, 2008
CBS4 Denver
http://cbs4denver.com/localhealth/Stapleton.Area.Walking.2.780702.html
Diet, Exercise and Culturally Sensitive Care Can Prevent or Control Diabetes
July 31, 2008
Health Behavior News Service
http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1757
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado Introduces Industry Leading and Comprehensive Transparency Initiative to Colorado
August 4, 2008
PRNewswire
Supermarket Chains Narrow Their Sights
August 6, 2008
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/dining/06local.html?ref=health
Fifth Season of the Thrive Campaign Focuses on Health Advocacy and Quality
August 7, 2008
PR Newswire
Florida Schools Adapt to New P.E. Requirements
August 7, 2008
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/digest.jsp?id=8355&c=OTC-RSS&attr=DI
Bill targets health insurance
August 8, 2008
The Advocate
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/26407309.html
Married Adults Report Better Health, But Singles Are Catching Up
August 11, 2008
Health Behavior News Service
http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1758
Health-policy costs forecast to rise 10.6%, the least since ‘01
August 11, 2008
Bloomberg News
http://www.denverpost.com/healthcare/ci_10170350?source=rss
Prescriptions for Health, the Environmental Kind
August 11, 2008
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/health/12clin.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
Los Angeles Stages a Fast Food Intervention
August 12, 2008
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/dining/13calo.html?ref=health
Training schools help consumers pinch pennies
August 12, 2008
The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/healthcare/ci_10171269?source=rss
Half of overweight adults may be heart-healthy
August 12, 2008
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-08-11-obesity-heart_N.htm
Exercise Can Lead to Drop in Blood Pressure, If Patients Get Message
August 12, 2008
Health Behavior News Service
http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1759
This week, we’ll be working on sustaining leg speed over long periods, running a total of 15 two minute intervals over the 40 minutes of our work set. Here are the details:
See you there! Or, for those of you who are accessing this workout remotely (which is entirely fine), we’d love to hear your comments on how it went.
On a beautiful day, US Corporate Wellness Coaches Cathy, Ann and Jennifer joined several thousand triathletes in the Tri for the Cure event in Colorado.
Not a week goes by where I don’t hear something along the lines of “I don’t run because it’s bad for you.” The individual will point to a specific “case study” of someone who died in a marathon or the death of a famous “runner” like Jim Fixx as their own personal research.
I have to admit, that while I do my best to engage the individual in a conversation of reason (ie, reminding them that Jim Fixx was a long-time smoker with heart issues before taking up running and likely extended his life span - not shortened it - through his love of running), inside I’m rolling my eyes a bit.
Start with the bones and joints (”it’s bad for my knees”). Sorry - not shown to be true. When done properly (ie, good shoes, form, surface and overall mechanics), the compression of running - when done at a reasonable level of mileage - actually is good for your joints. And it’s especially good for strengthening your bones at reasonable levels. A study looked at this years ago and found the knees of runners were actually BETTER than those of couch potatoes. If running bothers your knees, it means something is wrong - time to go see your neighborhood Physical Therapist (one who works with runners - ask around) and then you’ll be good to go!
Then along came this study - if you have any doubts about the value of running, take a look at this link: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/ExerciseFitness/tb/10506
Incredible, isn’t it? If you don’t want to run, that’s fine - choose something you do enjoy - and then do it regularly. But please - don’t use silly, un-documented theories as an excuse not to do it, especially when the research is actually so very strong in the other direction.
Several people coming off of longer events this weekend but few with “A” races in the immediate future. So we’re going to do a workout that starts with a little more consistent effort over longer periods and then reverse it and do higher intensity at the end, but with equal active rest included: