Fitness is Fun!
July 2004

President's Challenge Printed Material Updates
The 2004-05 edition of the President's Challenge Program Manual is currently in production. Each year our office sends one copy of this information to every health and physical education teacher in the US. You should expect to receive your copy in late August or early September. Inside you will find information about all that the President's Challenge has to offer as well as the new poster for promoting the program. To order additional copies, or if you do not receive a copy, you can contact our office at 800-258-8146 or request one online at http://www.presidentschallenge.org

ACSM Fit Society PageŽ
The new Summer edition of the ACSM Fit Society PageŽ newsletter - a special issue on EFFECTIVE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT - is now available on the ACSM Web site. This publication is available to the public and covers a variety of health and fitness issues. Download your FREE copy and get the latest information from ACSM's leading authorities on calories, metabolism, energy expenditure and more. http://www.acsm.org/health%2Bfitness/fit_society.htm

Nickelodeon Let's Just Play Grants Program
The Let's Just Play Grants Program provides support to create or expand opportunities for physical play in K-9 schools and after-school community-based organizations throughout the U.S. Approximately 25 to 50 grants will be awarded with awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Eligible applicants include elementary and middle schools grades K-9 and after-school community-based organizations. Applicants must participate in Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play. Funds may be used to purchase playground and athletic equipment, integrate playtime or recess into school/organization curriculum, establish nutritional or health education programs, establish athletic or intramural clubs/teams, or to host days of play for club/school/community throughout the year. http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops167.asp

Update of the Food Guide Pyramid
Here is your chance to have a say in what is changed about the Food Guide Pyramid. Written comments on the proposed plan for revising the food guide's graphic presentation and consumer education materials can be submitted and must be received by the Agency on or before August 27, 2004. Major revisions are being considered; energy expenditure messages will be included, so "physical activity" input is needed. Please consider sending in your ideas after reading the Federal Register. http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-15710.pdf

Information taken from the CDC's PA listserv, July 14, 2004

Functional Training
The term 'functional training' has been thrown around almost as much as the phrase 'low carb', but in order to truly be training functionally, you have to understand the concept behind it. Functional fitness entails engaging the body as a whole, rather than just one muscle group at a time. When performing bicep curls on a machine, for example, only the biceps are engaged. Functional training has been widely embraced because of the simple concept that, in real life, one never engages only the biceps; the body works as a unit and utilizes multiple muscle groups to perform daily tasks. The truly 'functional' way to do a bicep curl would be to sit on a stability ball, forcing you to use your core stabilizers to keep you from rolling off. Even the strongest, buffest gym rats may have a hard time with this type of training because they aren't accustomed to using and controlling their own body weight. To read more about functional training and how to integrate it into your own routine, click on the links below:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/72/81694.htm
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/a/functional.htm.

Diet and Exercise Myths
The fitness industry has no shortage of myths about what will really work to get you healthy. WebMD has looked into eight myths that are commonly associated with diet and exercise. One of the myths discussed is on the length of needed to get healthy, some exercises believe it take hours in a gym when an activity as simple as walking will help. American Council on Exercise spokesman Richard Cotton makes a true statement about walking in the article, "If America began to walk even a minimal amount, 30 minutes a day, it would turn around the epidemic of heart disease and obesity." http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/64/72532.htm.

Are You Drinking Enough Water?
If you're like most people, you know you should be drinking more water, but do you know why or how much? One of the roles of water is to flush toxins out of the body. Water also lubricates joints, eyes, and spinal cord. Drinking enough water helps regulate the kidneys, controlling frequent elimination of fluids which in turn allows them to relax and work more efficiently. So how much water should you drink? Experts generally agree on the standard eight 8 oz. glasses per day, but to get a more exact figure based on your weight and daily activity needs, visit http://www.bottledwater.org/public/html/input1.html or http://www.water.com/learn_about_water/swg1340_hydcal.asp.