Lane 8 – Page 19 – Disney Employee Engagement Speaker

Master’s Athlete of the Year 2009

Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom

Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.

Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.

The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.

In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive. Amazingly supportive.

Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

USATF Masters Track Press Release

USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.

The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.

Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.

That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million. Are ya with me. Succeed or fail. There is no middle ground.

USA Track and Field does it for me. For now.

What’s doing it for you?

Lane 8 USA Obesity

Once again tonight, the TV was on while I was in the vicinity, doing the evening things American families do. I don’t sit and watch TV, unless it’s American Idol, and even then it’s iffy.

But Diane Sawyer was talking about First Lady Michelle Obama announcing big plans to fight childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity? Are you kidding me!!!! For real?

How the hel heck is that possible?

We all know why, and there’s an old saying that proves this “fact”.

“The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

The best way to help our children is to help ourselves. We adults are in for the fight of our lives, if we really want to be a great health example. And if we don’t have the fight of your lives….

Then our children will.

How does a person live with that? Seriously. How?

Is Idol on at 8pm or 9pm tonight?

Lane 8 Digestive Health

When do we think about our long term outcomes – from the food choices we make this week?

Um, well, uh, like never. Right?

Most of us can’t or don’t want to see that far, because it’s too much work. Or, we won’t give up today’s pleasure and convenience for tomorrow’s payoff – good digestive health.

Our son told me last Friday on the drive home from school that he had a “confession”. He doesn’t really like the bread (double fiber) we use to make his lunch sandwiches.

Grateful for the truth, but now what?

So last night on the way home from a doctor’s visit, I stopped to get some food items, including a different kind of bread, but with the same digestive goal – high fiber.

Blogging about health enhances accountability and increases motivation. Are you working on that too?

If not you, who? If not today, when? Seriously. Enjoy your lunch.

Lane 8 Healthy Week Flashback

Last night, while watching the Super Bowl, did some blog surfing and found this Lane 8 healthy blog post from last April.

It’s a story about a Father and a Son having a casual conversation that was as significant, as it was insignificant.

These are the small, often unnoticed moments that make life exciting.

You have one you’d like to share?