I am a little obsessive about fitness.

I know this because people who have known me for a long time, family members even, say to me, "Bob, you're a little obsessive about fitness."

Not crazy obsessive. Not, "Oh My God, is that a Carb?!!!" obsessive.

But yeah, I am fairly religious about my workout time. And I can count on one hand my "In-and-Out Burger" moments over the last couple of years. And you want to know what breaks my heart? (If you don't want to know ...stop reading. It's what they call a rhetorical question.)

It's out of shape kids. I don't mean fat. Fitness isn't a number on a scale. It's a lifestyle. This breaks my heart because I know what kids who are out of shape go through. I grew up overwieght and out of shape. It took a moment of crisis and a choice in my mid-twenties to put me on a long gradual path towards a fit lifestyle.

Kids who are out of shape face a lot of challenges. They are at an age where there is more emphasis placed on physical activity. Where appearance is much more scrutinized and commented on.

Also, there are heath ramifications, both currently and down the road. Dr. Duke Johnson, the Medical Director for the Center for Optimal Health, has some great information in his book, "The Optimal Health Revolution." The book just came out. If you haven't read it, do.

Here's the tricky part.

Kids are smart, by and large. They aren't going to just do something because you say so. You can't say "eat your broccoli" while downing your Big Mac. Unlikely as this might seem at times, they actually look up to you, even idolize you. If they see you with the Cheetos and Coke, they are going to want the Cheetos and Coke. Yep, you're going to have to live it, not just talk it.

I know a couple who are great friends and former co-workers of mine. They have two youngsters who are about ready to hit school age. They've been raised on veggies, lean protein, etc. You know, healthy stuff. Their parents are physically active, and they have picked up that behavior. My friends arev worried because in school their kids are going to get exposed to junk food, cola, etc. My response to them was: "That's real life. They are going to see all of that sooner or later." But what my friends did was give them a taste of a healthy lifestyle. They don't like ALL veggies, but they like some. They don't like to play ALL sports, but they like to play some. That, to me, is the greatest gift you can give a kid.

Good Health.

It's a gift that you are giving yourself, too. Having happy, healthy kids is an amazingly joyful thing. And in showing them a healthy lifestyle, you are also creating good habits for yourself.

What? You need a better reason?

It's about your kids. Enough said.

Bob Tully
 
P.S. You'll notice that I didn't mention Nutrilite once during this blog. That doesn't mean that we don't still produce the best supplements on the face of the planet Earth, and that any Optimal Lifestyle is greatly enhanced by plant-based supplementation, the best, highest quality example of which is Nutrilite. It's just that I wanted to do a post without making it a Nutrilite commercial...which I guess...I just did. Oh well :-)

Ok, it's been way too long since I blogged here. It seems that all the other responsbilities of my job - and my life! - get in the way of blogging. Which is yet another reason why I find those Teen Wellness Leaders so inspiring. These are teens across the country whom Amway Global and the YMCA have rewarded for their leadership in their communities in promoting health and wellness. I have no doubt that every one of them is swamped with school committments, family obligations and other responsbilities and yet they've all made the time to do something good for their communities. They've all made the time to help others. And wouldn't the world be a much better place if we all did that?

Each Teen Wellness Leader has received a $1,000 scholarship to futher their education and a $1,000 donation to their local YMCA. I hope you got the chance to read some of the amazing stories of the winners and their inspiring and innovative efforts. If not, you can check them out here.

We are not the only people who applaud these teens for their hard work and committment to wellness. Several local media outlets also have acknowledged the winners throughout the nation. Check out some of the articles below:

Connecticut's Teen Wellness Leader - Jose Campos (attached below) 

Michian's Teen Wellness Leader - Katelyn Prine

Nebraska's Teen Wellness Leader - Andrea Eggleston

Tennesee's Teen Wellness Leader - Steven Hollingshead

I wanted to post these pictures to complement Bob's recent post on the L.A. Sol and San Jose Earthquakes' visits to NUTRILITE. What an honor for us to host these talented athletes, who we wish the best of luck for a winning 2009 season!

Players and coaches of the San Jose Earthquake soccer team visit the Nutrilite facility in Buena Park, CA., to learn about the health products, foods and supplements made by the company, which sponsors the team.

The L.A. Sol made a similar visit a few weeks later (above and below). 

You know Bob from his adventures, and his blogging about them, on the Mobile Brand Experience blog. Bob works at the Nutrilite Center for Optimal Health, and will be a regular contributor to Inspire Wellness. This week, Bob says, "Tis the Season!" Enjoy!

- Anna

'Tis The Season!

I know. You're asking, "What season, Bob?" That season just got over. The holidays are fading and now, in most of the country, it's just plain cold.

Nope. That's not the season I'm talking about. This is the season that people like me, who work in Gyms and Health Clubs, witness every year. This is when all those people who bought themselves shiny new gym memberships, shiny new gym shoes and shiny new gym clothes start finding perfectly good excuses to not go back to the gym.

That post-holiday, New Years resolution-inspired rush of humanity starts to thin out. And when I say "perfectly good excuses," I really mean it. They are "perfectly good." Allow me to list several for you:

1)I'll just skip today, then go twice as long next time.

2)I had to work late.

3)I was on my feet chasing the kids, and that should count as a workout. Or cleaning the house. Or giving that presentation. Or my (insert body part here) is sore.

Any of these sound familiar?  And I have to tell you, when you use that excuse, whatever it is , other people will support you. Absolutely. They will say "Oh yeah, you're right. You shouldn't work out today. Tomorrow is another day. Don't push it. You don't really need to anyway, you look great!"

Uh huh.

I'm here to tell you:

Don't

Stop

Now

If you've been going since the New Year, you're on the verge of starting a habit. You're about to become used to the feeling of working out. You're about to hit a point where you will miss it if you don't. Trust me. Every single day, you can come up with a great reason to work out, and a great reason to not work out. Find an excuse to do it. Find a way to get it done. Here is the cold hard fact of it.  No matter how good your excuse is; how many people who told you that you're perfectly justified to skip; and no matter how well you rationalized it; the scoreboard says you didn't work out.

Conversely, no matter how lazy and low energy you feel; no matter how bad you think you look in your workout clothes; no matter what you're feeling about your workout; the scoreboard says you worked out.

I'm telling you. The only thing that counts as a workout....is your workout. And if you're over 40 like me, being sore from time to time is part of working out. You learn to appreciate it if not enjoy it.

I find lots of excuses to go:

1. They pay me (though if you knew how little, you would laugh. A lot.)

2. I really do get motivated seeing the other people there who are working out.

3. Fit women are wearing spandex. 

Whatever works for you. Whatever gets you there. Make it fun. Find a class with some goofy fitness instructor (like me). Wear an IPod; bring a book; watch the T.V. (they have enough of them there).

I really do believe in the restorative power of exercise. Whether it's going to the gym, walking with your kids or dog or spouse around the block. You've come this far; now take that next step. Make it a regular part of your life.

It's worth it.

I gotta go now. It's time for my workout.

Bob

The Teen Wellness Leaders are here! Well, ok, they're not here but we are announcing their names today on http://inspirewellness.com/community-teens/.

The YMCA and Amway Global's search for teenagers from across the country who show leadership in health and wellness yielded 263 applications from 44 states. We whittled this down to 103 finalists and from there selected an impressive and inspiring group of winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a $1,000 donation to his or her local YMCA.

You'll definitely want to check out their stories and I hope you'll be as amazed and enouraged as I am to discover some of the incredible things that young people across this country are doing to help others.

Ellen from Georgia founded Girls Running Strong to help provide young girls the opportunity to experience the positive physical and mental benefits of running. Nile from Illinois began a pet-facilitated therapy program at a local nursing home to provide mental stimulation, increased socialization, and to help improve the fine motor skills of handicapped and elderly residents. TJ from New Hampshire volunteers for the Special Olympics Swim Team and works one-on-one with kids facing physical or developmental disabilities. Christina from New York established “Get Active, Get Healthy”, a program focused on addressing childhood obesity and teaching inner city teens to respect each other and their differences. Miranda from Virginia created a program called “Go Green Girl” to raise awareness about individuals’ carbon footprints and provide solutions for reducing society’s negative impact on the planet.

Seriously. I could go on and on about the creativity, innovation, and generosity demonstrated by these Teen Wellness Leaders, but you can read even more for yourself over at inspirwellness.com. These teens aren't just going to change the world -- they already are changing it! And they're making it a much better place by focusing on helping others.

It was tremendously fun to be involved in reviewing the applications and very tough to select winners from among so many incredible teens who are making such a positive difference in their communities. It also was very uplifting and enlightening for someone who hasn't been a teen for (ahem!) about 15 years and who is quite a long way from having any teens. Contrary to the image we sometimes see in the media, today's youth is clearly involved in much more than just watching the latest episode of The Hills and updating their My Space pages!

I hope you enjoy reading about the Teen Wellness Leaders and please stay tuned for more stories about their inspiring efforts -- and don't hesitate to share any inspiring stories of your own!

The deadline to nominate a deserving teen for the Teen Wellness Leader search has been extended to 10 p.m., December 1! That means there is one week left to nominate a teen who is actively promoting wellness in his or her school or community.

Check out the profiles of the teens who've already been nominated. There are some truly inspirational stories and an incredibly variety  of initiatives -- from fencing and yoga clubs to fighting diabetes and autism to working to improve the environment. The diversity of their stories just goes to show that wellness is about much more than diet and exercise. True wellness comes from a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and that means making healthy choices in everything you do, not just what you eat or how much you work out, although those areas are important.

The folks behind our Nutrilite brand like to sum this philosophy up as "Optimal Health" -- choosing every day to be your best by selecting the right foods and supplements, engaging in exercise and rest, and by incorporating healthy habits and balance in everything you do. Words to live by!

Amway Global and the YMCA are looking to recognize 51 teenagers who fit this description -- one from each state and Washington D.C. You can nominate your teen of choice at www.inspirewellness.com and the deadline is rapidly approaching -- November 16! There are about 30 finalists currently in the running -- and some really cool stories -- so there's definitely room for more teens to share their wellness stories.

Each selected Teen Wellness Leader will receive a $1,000 scholarship for further education; a $1,000 donation toward a local YMCA and the chance to be featured in Newsweek magazine.

The Teen Wellness Leader Search is one element of Amway Global's new collaboration with YMCA of the USA - Inspire Wellness - which was created to encourage individual, family and community health and wellness, while establishing awareness of Amway Global's role as a leader in health and wellness among consumers.

 Some examples of  what teens are doing around the country might include:

• Advocating  for  physical education classes in school and healthier food options in school cafeterias;
• Organizing  friends to help build a playground or develop a walking path in a local park;
• Managing community gardens that provide locally grown produce;
• Coaching  team  sports  or  promoting  other  activities  in undeserved neighborhoods;
• Accompanying older adults on walking excursions; and
• Organizing a 5k or walk.

You might also want to check out  Miss America, Kristen Haglund, blogging this week about the Amway Global Teen Wellness Leader Search at the Miss America blog.

She also issued a news release as Miss America promoting the scholarship competition and urging people to recognize the teens they know who are making a difference in the health of their communities and asking teens to nominate themselves for recognition.

Now get nominating!