My Big Idea!

My idea is really big.  I want to help stop obesity.  I know that childhood obesity is a really big problem, but I think it has to start with the parents. From watching “Biggest Loser” from the beginning, I see that so many parents with obese children are obese themselves.  Also, “In the United States, some 60 percent of adults are overweight or obese, as are nearly 13 percent of children.” They really need to be educated on health, fitness and wellness. My goal is to get my degree and then become a Certified Fitness and Wellness Consultant.  I would love to work out of my home.  I would like to counsel adults and seniors on nutrition, possibly going into their homes or into Assisted Living Facilities to help them with their diet and plan their meals.  I wouldn’t even mind helping them prepare the meals because I love to cook.  Maybe even teach healthy cooking classes at the community center. From my own experience, I know that diet needs to be changed one step at a time.  Years ago, I was 200 lbs. and by learning all I could and taking small steps, I lost 40 pounds.  I didn’t even start exercising until I had lost about half that weight. Walking is the only exercise that I enjoy! Admittedly, I have gained a lot of that weight back because 2 years ago I had to have a knee replacement and I cannot do a lot of exercising.  But now that I can walk well again, I am working on losing that weight again.  I have worked in the school lunch program and even though our school district has tried hard to provide healthier options, the kids just won’t eat it! You would be surprised how much food goes in the trash can.  This is why I think that first the parents need to be educated, because if they are not eating healthy at home, they will not eat healthy food when it is offered in school.

Collins, Anne (2002). “Obesity Statistics – Children”, Retrieved from http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/child-obesity-stats.htm

Celebrating My Success

I just finished my first term at Kaplan on the way to my BS in Nutrition.  My husband and I have  planned a staycation to Estes Park to celebrate. I knew I was doing well and since it was my first term and I had not been back to school in 30 years, I knew that I would have to work hard to succeed.  I have an “A” in both classes and I am proud of my accomplishment.  I am looking forward to the rest, but also to my second term, now that I have this one under my belt.  In the article, that we were asked to read it asked how many of us have heard the words congratulations, well done and good job.  I am happy to say that I have.  I networked with other Kaplan students on Facebook and they have been a source of help and support for me throughout this term.  Some of them are taking at least one of the classes I am taking next term and I know they will continue to support me.  I also connected with two of the students from this class who were also in my Food Safety class and will be taking at least one of the classes I will be taking next year. They are both Nutrition Science majors also.  We will be a support to each other also.  I started a blog also on Blog Spot to post information that I have food useful during my studies and on-line.  I don’t have any followers yet, but that doesn’t matter.  Right now it is mostly for my use and I post thing from it to Facebook.  I started two groups on Facebook also.  One called “School” and the other called “Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness”.  I know that they will be a good source of help going forward also. I like the idea of spending 10 minutes once a month writing what I have achieved and my blog will be a good place to post this.  I will have to make sure to make time in my schedule to accomplish this.  I am looking forward to continuing my career at Kaplan and “celebrating my success”.