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November 2007
Make fitness a family affair
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Slowpoke. Weakling. Klutz.
No kid in gym class ever called me those names to my face. But I got the message.
Whenever it came time to form teams for whatever sport we were playing, I was inevitably among the last to be picked — and for good reason.
I consistently struck out in baseball. I trailed the pack in track. I succeeded in getting the volleyball over the net maybe once, when it bounced off my head by accident.
The only form of fitness I truly enjoyed at that time in my life was jumping on my neighbor’s trampoline. I learned some rather impressive tricks and eventually convinced my parents to enroll me in an acrobats class. Somersaults lead to back bends, and cartwheels to running handsprings. I still recall that moment of glory when I mastered a no-handed back flip, with Mr. Goings standing by for emotional support only.
I signed up for jazz dancing as well. I wasn’t very graceful but the routines were fun.
And undoubtedly that’s why, to this day, I actually look forward to aerobics and other fitness classes at my neighborhood Y.
The search for the right activity that keeps us moving remains an ongoing process for many of us, regardless of age. The earlier we begin exploring our options, the better. But that can be a challenge for time-stretched families, especially when our interests take us in different directions.
In today’s main story you’ll meet several people who have found ways to both strengthen their bodies and their family bonds, all in one place.
Does your family have a plan for staying active together? What do you do?
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No more pedicures!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have not been to a pedicurist in ages. What was once one of life’s relaxing little luxuries has become, for me, just one more source of stress, ever since I saw that unsettling television news segment awhile back about women who’d gotten staph infections at nail salons — with painful and disfiguring consequences.
Am I being paranoid?
My fashionable friends have hinted at that. If only letting go of some vanity was all it took to protect myself from these highly contagious germs.
We’ve all been reminded of this recently, with reports of the increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a hard-to-fight infection once confined primarily to health care facilities that’s been turning up in schools and other public places. It’s been blamed for the death of a Virginia high school student a few weeks ago and has stricken a number of local students this school year, fortunately without serious effects thus far.
Going overboard on antimicrobial soaps and hand sanitizers, or taking antibiotics whether you really need them or not, is not the solution. In fact, many scientists believe it’s wearing down our immunities and making these “super bugs” all the more difficult to irradicate. But, there are a number of sensible steps you can take to protect yourself.
At the top of the list is taking charge of your personal hygiene — right down to the tip of your toes.
What are you doing to protect yourself and your family from staph infections?
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