As a fitness and recreation resource, we can’t forget to remind everyone that Father’s Day is a great day to celebrate having a healthy family. By promoting healthy gifts and activities when all eyes are on dad, you can help teach your children the importance of their health and wellness. In a way you are glamorize living a fit lifestyle. If it’s good enough for dad and dad enjoys it, then so can the kids.

Here is a guide to navigating a fit Father’s Day:

For those looking for some active play with the kids

Play outdoor games. You can play any number of games for little kids, go swimming in the pool, or play volleyball, soccer, baseball, or any number of backyard games.

Spend the day at a local park. The new Ocean County Park, Jakes Branch has trails both short and long through the woods. You can still see trees that were damaged in the fire several years back. Before you head in the woods start with a tour in the nature center with a 360 degree view of the area from the lookout. After your walk enjoy a picnic on a blanket or one of the picnic tables. You can finish up the day by playing catch, Frisbee, or a visit to the playground.

Go to the beach. There are tons of things to do at the beach to stay active. You can build sand castles, bury each other, or play catch. Heading into the water you are sure to burn calories swimming and navigating the resistance of the water. Add some fun with body surfing, boogie boarding, or surfing. Be sure to pack the sun block.

Go kayaking or canoeing. There are plenty of rental places if you do not have a boat of your own.

 Photo by OakleysOriginals

Relax with the kids

Go to a sports game. There is a special BlueClaws game on Father’s Day. They are also hosting a picnic with unlimited chicken breast, burgers, and more for $24.95 which includes entry to the game. Post game all dads are invited on the field with their kids to play catch.

For dads that prefer a day kid-free

Buy him a tee-time for him and some buddies.

Get him some bait, pack the cooler, and send him to his favorite fishing spot. Of course this is a perfect idea for dads and kids as well.

Gifts for dad

Get him a gym membership or personal training sessions. Personal training sessions can help him get an edge on his training or get him started on his mission impossible Possible.

Buy him backyard games for a summer of fun. Think horse shoes, ladder ball, or bocce ball.Buy him new sporting equipment. Whether he plays golf, or pick up games of football, basketball, volleyball, or tennis new equipment can brighten his day.

Whatever you dad is into, you can show him you care, by helping him live a healthy lifestyle. Happy Father’s Day.

 Let’s start with Sunday because I do not have photos to support Saturday’s story, yet.

 It started with a trip to Popcorn Park Zoo with my boyfriend Erik and my two little brothers Phillip (12) and Benjamin (6). It was your typical zoo experience. The boys loved walking around seeing all the animals, including the dog and cat cages, which I don’t remember ever visiting. In fact, Phillip’s favorite animal of the day wasn’t the two hump camel, the lion, cougar, or bears, but a guinea pig. Go figure. I’m just glad they can appreciate the animals. There was a little two or three year old girl at there whose mom kept yelling at to “stop playing with the dirt and come look at the animals.”

 This peacock was trying to woo a passing female.

 Benjamin who is a tall, strong 6 year-old was funny to see squirming past the roaming chicken and hiding behind me as we walked the dog cages. Yeah, that’s probably expected behavior from a six year old, but you should see how brave he acts at home: Running into any room, but his own when it’s bedtime, sneaking my dad’s snacks from the garage and eating it in the open. Then when others want some, he licks his hand and mixes it in the bowl. Now that’s what I call bravery. I think my parents need to invest in a little chicken to help with bed time rituals.

 Back on topic. We got lucky with the rain; it only rained for a half hour, maybe an hour the entire day. It happened to be from when we got in the car through our dinner. The kids were so well-behaved and I was having so much fun, I did not want to bring them home. So instead, we checked the radar on Erik’s phone and decided we had some time before a possible shower to go to Cattus Island Park.

 The day before, Erik and I had paddled by kayak into Mosquito Cove (didn’t see a single mosquito) passing trees that fell from a cliff. We decided to take the kids there so we could show them all of the cool things we had tried to explain to them about our trip the day before.

On the Map of Cattus Island, the number four (the little pennisula looking tip above Mosquito Cove) indicates our target location, it’s just north of Mosquito Cove. To get there, take Fischer blvd. north, past the main Cattus Island entrance to Yellow Bank. Make a right on Yellow Bank and a Left onto Bandon. It will lead into the parks and recreation building parking lot. Follow the trail that is by the driveway entrance to the bay.

 Once you’re at the bay, you’re standing on a dirt cliff about 12 feet high that you can see clear signs of erosion. There are several trees on their side. The fell into the water because the land below it literally eroded away. The roots of the trees that fell are totally exposed. There was one tree still on the cliff that will fall in the near future. More than half of the roots are hanging exposed below it because the land underneath it is gone.

 We walked around, threw some rocks, looked at washed up jelly fish, talked about what erosion is, and walked a new route back to the car. We saw some geese, ducks, and even a hawk up in a tree. Actually, before we got on the trail we saw about ten deer hanging out on the edge of the woods. Earlier that day I had been telling the kids how I had never seen deer in the day time, only the night time. I guess it’s time to think about something new I have never done or seen.

By the time we brought the kids home we had spent hours outside and it was now 8 p.m.  No Tv’s, video games, or yelling (shockingly). Just fun, moderate-exercise, and two well behaved boys enjoying nature.

I do not subscribe to this magazine, or know too much about it. Based on the title “Advance for Nurses,” the image on the front cover seems to diminish any credibility the inner pages may have.

I find it difficult to criticize or draw attention to another free magazine, because I too have made many mistakes in 5 issues we have published. I am sure we will make more. Any company including ours has to continually work to build and maintain credibility. In this case it is not just about the magazine, it also about health and health care.

While the magazine “Advance for Nurses” is not an official representation of the health care industry, by default it represents it to some extent. The cover models are actual health professionals with a patient. The cover story is about free health services through a hospital.

The image at first sight evokes feeling of contradiction. How can these people represent health or health care? Maybe it is my fault for lumping health with health care, but I find it difficult to separate them. When it is your job to tell people they need to lose weight to prevent the further onset of any number of ailments associated with being over-weight or obese, then I feel you should not be a patient of your own medicine. I can not imagine living a sedentary life, but telling all of my readers to get active. Why would they listen? So why would a patient listen to advice given by a nurse who is unable to follow her own advice?

It is not about size or about being skinny. Battling health in recession which is their feature headline* includes cutting health related cost by taking charge to prevent disease. That means losing weight. Being over-weight or obese puts you at risk for hyper-tension, diabetes, heart disease, and more. There is no cure or vaccine for many diseases, like cancer, but that is not the case with obesity. Cancer patients would do anything to have the opportunity to extend their life and live healthier. Obesity is the one health condition that is controllable, it is the one health concern that can be prevented and treated without medication, and the one condition that if you do take control of you can prevent or delay death by eliminating other serious health conditions. So why is the magazine that should be teaching professionals about tackling a major, but controllable health concern and the costs associated with it, representing the health industry with nurses who can not heed their own professional advice?

I know as a fitness professional, that it is not an easy task to overcome a life of bad habits or the depression often associated with being over-weight. I have great compassion for those who struggle with their weight. While losing weight is the answer it is not always easily implemented. I am not trying to lash out about being over-weight; my concern is that we need role models teaching patients how to live healthy. There is not one set thing that pushes someone to take charge of their lifestyles. But inspiration, motivation, positive role models, and knowing it’s possible seems to be a productive start. Sure you can be over-weight working as a nurse, but just as I don’t think there should be super skinny girls representing success and youth, I don’t think obese women should be representing health care. When you go to hire a personal trainer, are you going to hire one who epitomizes the shape and health you are seeking or someone who is in the same or worse shape then you?  When you pay to go to the doctors, don’t you want a doctor or nurse who can live by the advice she prescribes?

*The article is actually about free health care services, which is a much needed resource for many Americans. I am happy to see my Alma Mater offering a much needed service, but let’s not forget the goal here. To make American’s healthy.

It was a long journey from January to May 23^rd when Team Fit had 5 members run the JB MDL 10 mile race. There were moments of great success including having 24 people participate in a run/walk session in the freezing cold of January. There were also discouraging moments, like being the only person to show up for a run/walk session in the middle of May.

Before creating the team, I had thought that a few friends of mine would join along. It was exciting to see Team Fit evolve into a weekly, social exercise program for many. I find it difficult to write in an organized way my experience, so I have just listed the way I felt hoping that will keep it somewhat organized.

Happy- I love getting people involved in active lifestyles. To see friends come out to walk, even though everyone else was running, made me happy to know such strong willed people.

Surprised- I never thought we would have some many people get involved. We had 24 people at our largest gathering, but had many more in the grand total. On several occasions we had some friends come by for one session.  Two brothers joined us for a run, just for fun as they trained on their own for various races throughout the year. Another couple of friends brought family members who were in town for a visit.

Proud- Many people came out to walk, even though Team Fit was intended to be a running group. They walked further than they had in a long time. Many of the runners also ran further than they had ever before, even if they did not go to the ten mile race with us.

Inspired- The participants in both the walks and runs were older than me, slower than me, and more deconditioned than me, but that just meant they had to work a little harder to stay motivated and reach new limits. To see the team members work hard to reach goals they thought were impossible was amazing.  

Helpless- In March we found out that the run we were training for, the Broad Street run, was filled. We had been training for 3 months with 2 months until our race day. I felt like I had let everyone down. What did we have left if we did not have a race?

Sorry- A few people had slowly began to fade away. They stopped coming to runs for numerous reasons. I feel sorry that I did not do enough to get them back onboard. I had convinced them once before that they could do it; I wish I did it again.

Overwhelmed- I took on 3 scheduled running days a week which was one more than I had intended. It was much easier for me to run on my own schedule and at times with all that I have on my own personal and professional agenda, I was overwhelmed.

 Impressed- When we could not get into the Broad Street race, I scrambled to find another 10 mile race for the crew to run in. When I announced the JB MDL race, two members knew they could not make a race that day due to a previous engagement. I was again feeling sorry and helpless. In the end I was impressed with their creativity to utilize their training. They did a tour of 5K races, four 5Ks in four weeks. They had a blast doing it. Several other members ran in other races or have plans to run in other races.

Strong- On race day, I was not as conditioned as I had hoped. Stress the last few weeks had helped me miss a couple of goals, but on race day, surrounded by fellow team members, I felt strong. I knew I had support and I knew I had the power to finish. When I did, I felt mighty strong.

Excited- Although I was a little sadden that many team members fell off of the race day rooster, I was excited to have a diverse group represent the first official Team Fit event. On race day, we had the two oldest runners and the two youngest runners standing at the start line. They had survive 5 months of training and they were about to attempt our ultimate goal, running 10 miles.

Anxious- I am not going to lie, I was a little nervous about Lynne finishing. She is our oldest runner at age 55. She had only been running about 3 miles at a time. The most she ran was 5 miles somewhere in the 5 months of training. At the last minute she told her mom not to come watch and she complained of a sore hip. I thought that if she could brush aside some of the worries, she could finish, but was also worried she would hold herself back from crossing the finish line.

Nervous- I was nervous I would not finish.

Uber-proud- After an extended training program, let downs, inspirations, and miles and miles of running and walking many friends and family members walked and ran further than they ever had before. To my surprise, we had 5 members, of whom I would not have predicted in the beginning, finish a 10 mile race. The track was a little on the boring side and lacked fans to cheer you on. None of that stopped Ronnie our youngest runner, Erik, Lori, Lynne our oldest member, or myself from crossing the finish line.

The race shirts read “JB MDL 10 miler. Done! What’s Next”

A few weeks ago I took a road trip down to South Carolina for my sister’s birthday. I was staying from Thursday to Sunday. Even though I was staying in Myrtle Beach and had plans to go to her birthday party, I still thought it would be fun to bring my ladder ball game. I’m glad I did. I spent hours playing with my family and introduced them to a new game.

I first brought it out on Friday when my dad was hanging out at my grandma’s house. We had nothing better to do, so I thought we could at least be a little active while socializing. We only had three players so we improvised and had my dad act as the steady thrower for each team. He wound up being the best player for each team. He looked at each play according to what the team he was throwing for and threw as he would if he was not on both teams. Who says you can’t bend the rules. After a few rounds, my dad was ranting and raving about the game. It is sort of southern style: relaxing, sociable, and friendly competition. 

He left and my sister came with my cute little nephew Aiden who is three. After hugs and settling in, we messed around a little more with the ladder ball. Then Joe popped open his trunk. He pulled out a floorball stick, a floorball ball, and a volleyball. For the rest of the evening we played with all three pieces of equipment. All Aiden wanted to do was hit the floorball ball into the goal (the ladder ball goal became the floorball goal). When he was done with that, he wanted to practice hitting the volleyball…nonstop all night. He makes me proud.  

Saturday we walked around shops and went to the beach where we played in the water and built sandcastles. All were time fillers so we could bring my sister home at 6:45p.m. for her surprise party. My brother-in-law did a great job of planning the party. He had 60-70 people make it to a party the evening before Easter. At the house, Aiden had a ton of toys to keep the other little kids busy. He had big trucks to push around, a trampoline, a swing set, and Joe’s floorball stick. The adults had delicious chicken bog, chairs, tents, and beer or soda. That’s until I pulled out the Ladder Ball set. We played all night long. Winner stayed on, so my partner Erik and I played all night long. We went 7-1 only losing the last game of the night to my sister’s husband and friend.

Ladder ball is also known as bolos balls, lasso golf, and blongo balls. I am sure there are a few more titles I don’t know about. In a Blongo Ball Complete Game Set there are two goal areas that look like a three tier ladder. The two goals are set about 20 feet apart facing one another. There are also two sets of three ball sets. The ball sets are two balls attached by a little rope. The object is to get to 21 points, exactly, by ringing the ball sets on the three goal tiers. Each Tier has a point value of one, two, or three points.

You can have a party, go to a party, or be the party. Ladder ball was the party. My sister now owns her own set and if my dad does not yet, he will very soon. BBQ season is upon us, so with that consider finding a few backyard games to keep your guest moving. Remember fun can happen at any time.

Photo by Fred Benenson used under a Creative Commons Attribution License.

 Are you ready? 

 If not, there is still time to get the body you want, but you better get moving. Here are some ways to get in summer shape:

• Join a gym. Hire a personal trainer, take group fitness classes, or follow a workout from a book. Suggested Reading-The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises: Four Weeks to a Leaner, Sexier, Healthier YOU!,    The Men’s Health Big Book of Exercises: Four Weeks to a Leaner, Stronger, More Muscular YOU!,     Hungry Girl 1-2-3: The Easiest, Most Delicious, Guilt-Free Recipes on the Planet

Photo by Matthew Purdy 

• Go for a run. This is my favorite. That is because it is free and effective. Mix it up with some sprints for an enhanced workout. Suggested Equipment- Apple iPod touch 8 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL,  Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (5th Generation) NEWEST MODEL,  iControl Watches,   Asics shoes

• Play outside. Actually this is my favorite. For some reason it does not even feel like a workout when you are running around chasing a ball. It might, if it is your first time playing in a long time.  Suggested Equipment-SKLZ 10 Man Flag Football New DELUXE Set,  Blongo Ball Complete Game Set,   NALGENE Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle

  The list can go, but rather than have you sit here and read how to get fit, I would rather you go do it. We all have been wishing for summer, here it comes.

I hate changing songs and adjusting the volume while I am running, but it’s something I have to do; I need to adjust my iPod according to my mood. Unfortunately, my mood changes a lot while running. It wouldn’t be so bad if my fingers weren’t always sweaty. I can never stop my hands from bouncing (because I am running) and I wind up doing everything except what I want. I fast-forward the song when I want to change songs, I go back to the menu and the music stops altogether or I turn the volume way too loud.

While Christmas shopping I came across the iControl Watches. They allow you to change the song and volume from the watch. It does everything you need without having to touch your iPod. It does it the first time and with accuracy. I loved the idea of it, so after Christmas my boyfriend bought it for me since I was still talking about it.

I had not been able to use it too much until now. Running with gloves on and trying to work the watch is not fun, believe me. Now that I am running glove-free and with my iControl watch my runs with my iPod are hassle free.

You can get one at Models in Toms River for $25. I guess it is cheaper than online because it is the earlier version and they are trying to get rid of it for the newer models. It works fine, it is just not a fancy blue or green color. There are several models of the watch (linked here) and specific colors linked below: 

Timex Unisex Orange Ironman Sleek iControl Resin Strap Watch #T5K057

Timex Unisex Green Ironman Sleek iControl Resin Strap Watch #T5K058

Timex Unisex Blue Ironman Sleek iControl Resin Strap Watch #T5K049

Many people with many goals and intentions fail to follow through with their initial goals.  While there could be hundreds of reasons why, there could also be a simple solution. If something is not working, or you get off of your routine it is important that you identify why and find a new way. While I hope everyone joins us this Sunday for a run or walk, I would like to know that if they can’t that they are rescheduling their sessions on their own time. It may even help to substitute running or walking with other healthy habits.

Here are some solutions. For the issue of finding time, having limited money, not wanting to workout outside, and the many other challenges we all face, try working out at home. For those of you struggling with keeping up with the financial aspects of staying healthy check out “cheap ways to lose weight.” If it’s motivation you seek check out this website, it helps to keep me motivated.

Send us your struggles with staying on track and we will be happy to report the ways you can keep up with a healthy lifestyle.

Yesterday I received a text message from my uncle Doug who works at Seaside Furniture Clearance Center on RT 37. It was a typical text message from my uncle;  it made me cracked up. It said, “Just had an elderly man run into the store grab a magazine [Fit In NJ Magazine] then turns to me and says I found it this is what I came in for then he ran out.”

That’s right an old man went to a furniture store to get my magazine. I just hope he was not looking for free bedding for some kind of caged animal, but I know better than that.  

So you want to know who is reading my magazine? Everyone! Well not everyone, but both young and old (check the previous blog post about the 7 year old).

I love these moments.

I don’t know how this little boy recognized James. Perhaps his dad told him, he saw the magazine on the counter, his family had a copy at home, or he heard us talking about it. It doesn’t really matter because he has a positive memory of us and also the magazine. He will hold onto the spring issue for a while, show and tell his friends, teachers, and family he met “famous people” who signed his magazine, and be likely to grab future issues. We have a new fan who we can hopefully help stay on a healthy track for years to come.

He was a little young to be reading Fit In NJ Magazine, but he could still look at the pictures and I know he did. I am proud to say he sat behind me discussing with his dad the vegetable caterpillar featured in the blurb about healthy kid birthday parties.

Meeting him was certainly a highlight to my week.  The best part was when we walked out he said “bye and thank you for being the most famous people in the world….that I knows.”  You’re welcome.