Catch A Shooting STAR in 2006: Get Moving! By Jerry A. Chenault, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Lawrence County

I'm sure you've heard the news by now. After all the years of research and medical advances we made to increase the average life expectancy through improvements in nutrition, immunization, and medical science, we are now going backwards. Backwards? Yes, backwards! Due to high-fat and sugar diets and unhealthy sedentary lifestyles, we are shortening our lives and increasing our risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks just to name a few. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the consequences of our actions.

That's why Extension's STAR (Savings Towns Thru Asset Revitalization) program focuses on getting people outside and active. That is outside for greater interaction with plants (which do so many wondrous things in their own right), outside for greater interaction with people of all generations, and outside to engage in physical activity. Activity is a life-saver, and the STAR program helps to jump-start activity through revised versions of the almost lost art of "street games" such as hide & seek, leap frog, hop-scotch, jump rope, and pogo sticking.

As we begin a new year, why not take a personal stand against obesity, diabetes, and inactivity in your life. That's the first place to start and I can think of at least one great place that can help---your local gym or fitness center. Local gyms or fitness centers have the equipment and the classes, and your success rate is so much higher there than trying it at home on your own. And finding a workout partner quadruples your chances of staying on your workout routine. "A little bit every day for a lifetime is what you need," according to personal fitness and martial arts instructor Ricky Shelton of Trinity, Alabama.

Speaking of martial arts, consider adding "life" to your life this year by including martial arts as a form of physical exercise. Martial arts are not just for 5-7- year-olds who want to be Power Rangers. Nor are they just for 13-15-year-olds who want to kick straight up and turn flips in the air either. Martial arts are for everyone. There are many, many styles of Chinese arts like Tai Chi (meditation in motion), Aikido, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, and Kali. The Chinese arts, especially Tai-Chi, are really accommodating to those past being a "spring chicken."

All martial art forms focus on improvement of self and everyone gets to excel in them unlike the few who participate on team sports. Even though they teach self-defense skills, most people benefit more from the improvements in health, coordination, stamina, and flexibility than they ever dreamed. What a list of benefits!

So, in 2006, catch a shooting star! Get moving to improve your life!

References
American Obesity Association. (2006). Childhood obesity. Retrieved January 15, 2006.

Togan, Carol. (June 2002). Childhood obesity on the rise. Word on Health. The National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 15, 2006.