What's Wrong With This Picture?

Poor kid, but who is to blame here, he or his parents? Yup, I agree. Remember that when you are parenting someday-- YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

We are on blog #3 and I left you with the 3rd goal setting step-- recruit others -- to help you with your goal. One of your people might be "mother" or your "BFF", if for nothing else to ask them for encouragement.

Now let's see how motivated you are to make these changes. I want you to Google on: goal setting steps and discover what steps 4-5-6 are. Actually, at some websites it will say there are only 5, others may say 7. Find one that makes sense to you, and use their format-- whether it's 5, 6, or 7 steps... you can still get full credit for this project.

How to Begin?

Congratulations, you have already begun by taking an interest in gaining more control over your life. A change in attitude generally precedes a behavior change, and that is what we are talking about here.

http://calorielab.com/news/2005/05/30/teens-definition-of-normal-weight-on-the-upward-creep/

Here (above) is the link to that "pretty in pink" girl from the previous blog, but it's not just about her. It's about the fact that there are soooo many that are overweight and many don't see themselves that way. How come? Because OVERWEIGHT is the new normal.

Anyhow, back to our How to Begin topic. It starts with a measurable goal that will PUSH you a little bit. You know it can't be something too easy... My Goal is to do 3 sit-ups today, nor should it be too hard. My goal is I'm going to get 5 hours of exercise today, including 1500 crunches!

This goal should also have a timeframe... as in weekly, or monthly, or by a specific date. Examples include:

• Play soccer or basketball at least 12 times in March


• Lose 7 lbs by April 15


• Eat 4 apples and 3 bananas every week for the next 4 weeks


• Eat breakfast 6 of every 7 days (a week) for the next 28 days


• Walk/jog 15 minutes at least 10 times in March

The first sample goal is pretty straightforward and won't take as much planning as say the second one. The LOSE 7 LBS BY MARCH 28 is a goal that can be achieved in many different ways. Regardless of the goal, be sure to WRITE IT DOWN and keep is somewhere you will see it often. This will keep your mind on it and it will become more than just an idea, easily thought up - easily forgotten.

Once written down, start writing a SPECIFIC PLAN. What days of the week will you do this? -whatever this is.

In writing down your plan, include STEP 3 with it-- Recruit others. Will you have a veggie buddy, or a soccer friend, or will it be your mother who will be buying the fruit you will be eating? Anyhow, get planning and thinking, and get writing even if it's just a brainstorm or rough draft and I'll be back soon with another dumb picture and more things to think about.

And don't forget to wear your seatbelts!

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Pretty in Pink?

At least this first blog will be of a pinkish hue. Why? I know from experience that if people read this blog they will be mostly female. I first learned that women are more tuned into health when I was an undergraduate at the University of Oregon in the early 80's. In a typical class, let's say nutrition or epidemiology, there would be an 80 / 20 split, females to males. Some of those classmates would go on to nursing, others public health, and others (like me) non-profit health agencies and then school health.

And why are women more in-tune to health than men? Women get a "monthly reminder" of how things are going inside of them. Guys, we have no such reminders and many of us are about as obtuse as a piece of wood, going to the doctor only when necessary.

While I am not a big fan of the color pink (there are only boys at home and a wife who owns exactly ONE pink shirt), I will try this out.

So Mr. Schroeder, what is the purpose of this website? Good question reader.

There are many of my students who want (and need) to lose weight. They want weight loss for many reasons-- including to look better, feel better physically, feel better about themselves (self-esteem), avoid illness (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.) , though this last one is not that common when you are 15. So I am here to offer assistance in a somewhat anonymous fashion since some students may be embarrassed or shy to ask for or admit they need help losing weight.

Secondly, I am offering EXTRA CREDIT and this site will be an opportunity for those keeping an eating, exercise or weight loss (30 day) journal to stay supported and also be able to contact me while working on these lifestyle changes at home during vacation.

That's it. The first blog entry is done and I will try and keep this up with a new one about once a week, more if I am able. Thanks for reading!