Make your voice heard!

Currently, childhood obesity is at an all time high, with 30% of kids obese. Studies show that fat kids will end up fat adults and while trying to be politically correct and not make children feel different or bad about themselves, the fact of the matter is, these kids will probably grow up with a multitude of health issues. They will die younger than the generation before them, they will be plagued with diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and will eventually drain the tax payers money. It's a lose-lose situation all around.
But what can we do to help? I'll tell you what you can do that takes no money and relatively little time. You can log onto americanheart.org and send a message to your representatives to ask for better food to be placed in our schools. 50% of a child's calories comes from time spent in school. Right now, the choices given them are high calorie and high fat. Let's give them better choices and a healthier life! This has been my passion for 20 years, it is my job, it is my hobby, it is my volunteering and it is indeed, my calling.......here is the message I sent to my reps:

I myself was an overweight teen and needed more guidance on fitness and healthy eating, which was not provided by the schools I attended. Let's please give our children better food choices and give them a healthy life! Maria Beall Mrs. Chesterfield International 2010 American Family Fitness, Swift Creek

I am confident that we can make these changes. I lobbied last year to ban indoor smoking. I took my personal time and marched into my 2 representatives offices and asked if we could please breathe clean air when we eat in restaurants. They both told me it would not happen. Well, it did, and I am proud to say that I was involved in the change.

If you have questions of what and how to do it, I am available to you! mariabeall@yahoo.com thanks for taking the time to read this! In good health,

Maria