Sad Statistics

[monty]

These stats below are pretty sad, as a high school PE teacher I see this everyday, I am constatly promoting execise and health and let kids know they can be their own trainer. So many of them are so lazy and have no energy due to poor diet and sleep patterns. There parents are fat and for most, they will be fat.
It seems like a battle that will not be won.
Great to have websites like this to direct people too.

I feel more than anything that this is what will make or break America.

I think Nate should be the poster child for what can be acomplished with a little discipline.

Current obesity statistics are mind-blowing:


Two-thirds of America's adults are overweight or obese
As many as 30 percent of U.S. children are overweight
Childhood obesity has more than doubled within the past 25 years
Within the past 20 years, childhood diabetes has increased 10-fold

Many experts believe that the young generation of today will die younger than any other generation in the
USA
Any thoughts??
Monty

[John Peterson]

Hey Monty,

I sent you a PM. It outlines one way to fix the problem. Great post. Sad but true.

---John Peterson

[MikeNY]

Monty they changed school systems since I was there, no recess and crap lunches loaded with fat. Kids can buy pop, candy and snacks in school now.

Monty we need recess back and gym class dialy. Then every school needs copies of one of these books! The Miracle Seven, Push Yourself to Power, Isometric Power Revolution, Powerflex and VRT! Now right now VRT is a DVD and booklet but will soon be a book. If it was up to me one of those books would be the system for each school.

I lean toward the M7 or Powerflex but think any of the above noted books is perfect! DVR/VRT are cheap no equipment needed, an open gym is perfect, in nice weather exercises can be done outside. VRT might need something like a Jo or a wooden bar 4' long and to make it easier and that is it! If a school adopts one of these classic books then it can offer Isometrics as an add on or alternative, same for offering PYTP.

DVR/VRT seems to be a return to the classic methods taught in ancient Greece, it is not proven but seems a resonable deduction. now equiptment Makers, magazines and all the junk book writers on the market have a vested interest int he current poor fitness. KISS works.

[DT man]

Unfortunaly, the schools are not the answer. I occasionally do my AM work out in a park next to a Jr. High. The school uses the athletic fields for gym class. The class consists of 30 or so kids divided into two "teams" of about 15 regardless of the sport. The two teams face off, but in actuality only 7-8 kids are active, the rest stand there talking with thier friends while the gym teacher sits in the stands reading a magazine! The track is empty as are several chin up bars and parcour training stations in the park! No, parents must play an active role in ingraining good habits, including healthy living and exercise to their kids. In the past the Charles Atlas model was the best to steer the kids, but now John's courses along with some running and / or jump rope training is the best way to go.

[monty]

DT Man,

I can relate to big PE classes through out my career, I grade kids on effort and dressing out. Tues and thursdays I take my PE classes and run them, 1-2 miles of various stuff from easy running to sprints to circuit training. The other days we play a sport and all participate. I am pretty stict and have flunked kids who are lazy and refuse to participate. My Yoga class we do various routines incorporating DVR, DSR, ISOs and BWE. The girls in my class do better than the boys, have some freshman boys who are so weak and just don't care.
Most of the PE teachers I know are overweight and somewhat burned out. Most coach a sport or two which adds to the stress of them not caring also.
The average PE teacher changes positions within 5 years.
I have had upwards to 40 in class, try motivating that many on an Arizona day when the temps are 100+
I have done this for 20 years plus coaching two sports for very little money and some days it takes so much energy to keep all in line. What helps me so much is exercise throughout the day, this boosts my energy pretty good. I also dig what I do. Though somedays when we have got home from a track meet at 10pm after teaching all day, then getting up to do it again can be wearing.
My two cents.
Monty

[monty]

DT Man,

I also wanted to add that schools ARE the answer but school districts cut money for PE and put it toward some other academic area. Making PE an elective. As a PE teacher we are fighting agaianst a whole society that is fat and lazy and look to Docters for their health. If PE was as important as math and science you would not have 40 in a class and the teacher would be engaged with the kids and have help. Our budget for PE at the school I am at is 500 dollars, we have 3000 students, thats pathetic. A yoga mat is 10 bucks times 40 is 400. PE equipment is very expensive. If PE were a priority you would have to do well on a fitness test, heck I have kids that can't do a pushup or a pull-up. Not sure what the answer is but until society takes physical exercise seriously things will get worse.

PE is not a priority in most public schools, just a dumping ground.


Just my opinion
Monty

[tomman]

Great thoughts folks, I think the problem, as with many other problems (gangs, smoking, obesity, drugs) are more than one segment can handle. Communities have to stand up for themselves and agree that things can be different. It takes a village to raise a child, as we once said, but the village has taken a back seat. This could go on and on, but my point is that we have to set an example and spread the good news much like we have been called to do so as Christians.

Tom

[MikeNY]

DT Man,

I also wanted to add that schools ARE the answer but school districts cut money for PE and put it toward some other academic area. Making PE an elective. As a PE teacher we are fighting agaianst a whole society that is fat and lazy and look to Docters for their health. If PE was as important as math and science you would not have 40 in a class and the teacher would be engaged with the kids and have help. Our budget for PE at the school I am at is 500 dollars, we have 3000 students, thats pathetic. A yoga mat is 10 bucks times 40 is 400. PE equipment is very expensive. If PE were a priority you would have to do well on a fitness test, heck I have kids that can't do a pushup or a pull-up. Not sure what the answer is but until society takes physical exercise seriously things will get worse.

PE is not a priority in most public schools, just a dumping ground.


Just my opinion
Monty

Monty I am stunned $500 for 3000 students is nothing! PE is important to build a healthy foundation for life. There is an element in the School Administrations that wants Americans, stupid, weak and fools.

The only thing you can do with $500 and 3000 students is the Miracle 7 or VRT. I see no other way.

[monty]

Hey Guys,

One thing that is lacking in most young people that I work with is they are unmotivated and many just do not care.

As you know DVR, ISOs, DSR, BWE etc. all take discipline. I teach a Yoga Fitness class and many do a horrible job at the simple poses, they lack discipline. Johns program is awesome but without discipline it will not work.
We have a parent problem in our society not a teacher problem.
Monty

[gruntbrain]

Members are urgently needed in the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Yourself; being unfit is cruel.