Easter Reflections

2008-03-24T11:58:00Z

It’s finally here—the first full week of spring—even though the thermometer continues to show winter temperatures. I can’t say that I enjoyed all those little white snowflakes over the Easter weekend but it’s over now, and we are one more day closer to summer! I hope everyone enjoyed some time together with family and made sure to take a nice brisk walk after the big holiday dinner. It’s a great way to re-energize and burn off some of those extra calories you may have “devoured” as you enjoyed those Easter jelly beans, peanut butter eggs, Peeps, and oversized chocolate bunny that your children so generously shared with you (or that you secretly “borrowed” from their Easter basket!).

I’ve been there/done that—years ago—and I had three children to “borrow” from! That happened at a time when I was morbidly obese and my children were very young. But now that they are all teenagers and are health-conscious, they receive non-food items instead. My youngest has joined the track team and a brand new pair of athletic shoes was the perfect item for her to receive instead of a basket full of sugar and calories. Sure, they all enjoy the occasional piece of candy, but knowing that many of these sugary items contain around 55 calories EACH, they prefer items that don’t pack on the pounds and that last longer than a few days. She’ll be removing calories with her gift instead of adding them!

I can recall having more than a single Easter basket as a young child, receiving one from the Easter Bunny, one from my grandparents, and yet another from my aunt and uncle. More pieces of candy than I could count—obviously more than any person, young or old, should consume. But I did consume the majority of it, leaving the “yucky candy” that I just knew my dad would enjoy (not!). Not only did I add a few pounds, but I also created a new problem: cavities. And I spent much time in that dreaded dentist chair. Fun.

Now that a few decades have passed by, I’m dealing with those cavities, or fillings, all over again. Luckily I have found the best dentist ever—so good in fact, that I have no pain during or after a procedure—amazing! It’s difficult to believe that I don’t dread any dental appointments now, in fact, I look forward to them because not only do I improve my smile with each visit, but I learn something new in regards to fitness. My dentist, Dr. David Ronto, has become more and more focused on his health, and this year set a personal goal: 500 miles “logged in” for the year 2008. I know he will reach this goal for two reasons: first, it averages walking or running less than 1½ miles per day, and second…let’s just say the consequence is one that would cause severe embarrassment!

What I learned was that Dr. Ronto is able to “log in” these miles with a chip that he has inserted into one of his athletic shoes. This chip informs him how many calories he’s burning, along with his pace, time, and distance. I think this is awesome! And he also is able to track his progress along with setting personal goals. Dr. Ronto also explained that you can compete with friends and rivals, or issue challenges. Not only is he improving his own health, but he is also influencing his staff members who strive to partake in some form of physical activity along with eating healthier. And hopefully, patients and family members will be influenced, who in turn, will influence additional individuals!

As time passes, I’m finding that more and more Michigan residents are focusing on their health, and I love it! As the Mayor of East Lansing, Victor Loomis, has reminded me, I, along with each of YOU, are causing a ripple effect of healthier lifestyles in Michigan—which I’m anticipating will eventually turn into a tidal wave and then my ultimate goal: a tsunami of healthy lifestyles! We will get there! Michigan is ready to be HEALTHY!

WalkyTalk - - Home

Easter Reflections