As you know, obesity is a growing concern for both our nation and our
state. With over 60% of Rhode Island's adult population and a
significant number of children and teens classified as either overweight or
obese, our state is experiencing an urgent public health threat that
deserves a coordinated community response.
You are invited to join me on Friday, May 9, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at Rhode
Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, for the launch
of a statewide physical activity challenge called Millions of Minutes,
a program designed to help Rhode Islanders improve their health through
more active living while participating in a community-wide effort to
see how many millions of minutes we can walk or exercise over a six
month period. The Millions of Minutes challenge, an initiative of my
Healthy Weight in 2008 campaign, is designed to educate Rhode Islanders
about guidelines for good health that recommend 30 minutes of physical
activity for adults daily, and 60 minutes of daily activity for children.
Participants will be able to record their activity on a tracker
that will be housed on the http://www.healthyweightin2008.ri.gov/ website, and we
will continually tabulate the total number of aggregate minutes of
activity.
We will be joined by special guest Gary Marino, the inspirational man
who lost 150 pounds and wore out dozens of pairs of sneakers in a
Florida-to-Boston "Million Calorie March" in 2004. Gary has lost weight
and kept it off the old-fashioned way: by exercising and changing his
eating habits. His walk inspired thousands of Americans, and was the
beginning of a full-time crusade to draw attention to our nation's
growing obesity epidemic. Gary, the author of Big and Tall Chronicles:
Misadventures of a Lifelong Food Addict and founder of Generation Excel,
delivers a common sense message about healthy lifestyle choices and
weight that resonates with all who hear him speak. NBC-10 Health Check
Reporter Barbara Morse Silva will emcee the event.
Following a speaking program and viewing of Gary's brief motivational
video, attendees at the launch event will embark upon a walk around
the Rhode Island College track and then enjoy refreshments. The event
will last approximately one hour.
This event will be a fun kick-off for a challenge that has a serious
purpose. We must energize all segments of our population in a common
effort to improve our collective health and protect our quality of life.
As a community leader who cares about the health of our state, your
presence would send a positive message about the need to work - and
exercise - together to reverse the dangerous trends in obesity and
overweight. Let's build on the success that the team-based program Shape Up RI
has had with over 12,000 Rhode Island adults so far this year.
Please feel free to invite colleagues or friends to join us at this
exciting event, and R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, May 7 to Cheryl Martone at
(401) 222-2391 or cmartone@gov.state.ri.us with the number of individuals
attending from your group. I look forward to seeing you on May 9th.
state. With over 60% of Rhode Island's adult population and a
significant number of children and teens classified as either overweight or
obese, our state is experiencing an urgent public health threat that
deserves a coordinated community response.
You are invited to join me on Friday, May 9, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at Rhode
Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, for the launch
of a statewide physical activity challenge called Millions of Minutes,
a program designed to help Rhode Islanders improve their health through
more active living while participating in a community-wide effort to
see how many millions of minutes we can walk or exercise over a six
month period. The Millions of Minutes challenge, an initiative of my
Healthy Weight in 2008 campaign, is designed to educate Rhode Islanders
about guidelines for good health that recommend 30 minutes of physical
activity for adults daily, and 60 minutes of daily activity for children.
Participants will be able to record their activity on a tracker
that will be housed on the http://www.healthyweightin2008.ri.gov/ website, and we
will continually tabulate the total number of aggregate minutes of
activity.
We will be joined by special guest Gary Marino, the inspirational man
who lost 150 pounds and wore out dozens of pairs of sneakers in a
Florida-to-Boston "Million Calorie March" in 2004. Gary has lost weight
and kept it off the old-fashioned way: by exercising and changing his
eating habits. His walk inspired thousands of Americans, and was the
beginning of a full-time crusade to draw attention to our nation's
growing obesity epidemic. Gary, the author of Big and Tall Chronicles:
Misadventures of a Lifelong Food Addict and founder of Generation Excel,
delivers a common sense message about healthy lifestyle choices and
weight that resonates with all who hear him speak. NBC-10 Health Check
Reporter Barbara Morse Silva will emcee the event.
Following a speaking program and viewing of Gary's brief motivational
video, attendees at the launch event will embark upon a walk around
the Rhode Island College track and then enjoy refreshments. The event
will last approximately one hour.
This event will be a fun kick-off for a challenge that has a serious
purpose. We must energize all segments of our population in a common
effort to improve our collective health and protect our quality of life.
As a community leader who cares about the health of our state, your
presence would send a positive message about the need to work - and
exercise - together to reverse the dangerous trends in obesity and
overweight. Let's build on the success that the team-based program Shape Up RI
has had with over 12,000 Rhode Island adults so far this year.
Please feel free to invite colleagues or friends to join us at this
exciting event, and R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, May 7 to Cheryl Martone at
(401) 222-2391 or cmartone@gov.state.ri.us with the number of individuals
attending from your group. I look forward to seeing you on May 9th.
