Welcome to 2012- I hope the new year is off to a great start Where You Live!  On this weekend’s show we’ll explore simple ways you can recharge, re-energize and revamp things for your family!  We’ll shop with Shari from Meijer and see how simple switches in the groceries you buy can make a big difference in your family’s  health.  Our friends at Holland Aquatic Center will share great shape up moves you can do at home and Priority Health has five ways to make living healthier a little easier.  A Pine Rest Expert will share practical ways to reconnect with those you love.  Plus, you’ll love the great finds at Goodwill that will inspire you to re-do your wardward and your living room all for under $10!!  Plus, it’s time to kick-off the 35th Anniversary of the Fifth Third River Bank Run-find out how you can get involved!  Watch “Where You Live” this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7;30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and Sunday at 11:30 on WOOD TV 8.

*In just one year, we have given away over 12,800 prizes to kids and families in West Michigan. 

*We are blessed to have loyal viewers who join us each week for “Where You Live” where we have shared some incredible stories, explored some wonderful family fun destinations and weekly presented relevant information to help families live a little healthier and happier.

*Partnering with over 100 local libraries over 70,000 kids participated in the 2011 Summer Reading Club!

*This past summer over 42,000 kids and families enjoyed free food, free entertainment and free fun at our Park Parties.

*We were involoved in great community events like the Fifth Third River Bank Run, Beautiful U, Teacher Wish List, the grand opening of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, the first ever Santa’s Pool Party, Cruiserfest, the Bethany Caring for Families shopping event at Meijer and so many other amazing events. 

*We visited over 220 schools and non-profit events.

It’s been an amazing year and I’m so thankful to each person, organization, community and company that partnered with us to make it all happen!  Happy New Year and here’s to an incredible 2012!

Gazelle Sports-Holland recently hosted a Fifth Third River Bank Run “For Women Only” Training Clinic featuring a number of incredible women involved in the running/walking industry.  The event was attended by a number of incredible women, all setting their sites on the Fifth Third River Bank Run finish line on Saturday, May 8.  From questions on nutrition for optimum performance to how best to stretch before and after exercise to just how does one even get going with a training program, information was shared back and forth with understanding and humor.  After the clinic, presenters and participants hung around, talking and laughing together about shared experiences (yes, a good sports bra makes all the difference in a training run) and lifestyles (why do cookies always taste better than veggies?).

And the generosity extends far beyond the setting of an organized training clinic.  It is present at the first Saturday of the month community training runs at the David D. Hunting YMCA as those new to the sport pepper seasoned runners and walkers with questions about pace and hydration.  I see it on Kent Trails where I run/walk my dog; one obviously stronger runner verbally encouraging their partner that they can go just a little further.  Generosity lives eternal in people like Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warrior Coach, Sheila Bosworth, who seeks out those who are looking to make a positive change in their fitness habits to provide just the right words of motivation.   Those involved in the sport can’t wait to share what they have learned and how much better they feel than they did prior to getting involved.

Everyone — even the guy in tights who looks like he was born running — had to start sometime.   The running/walking community stands ready to come alongside you as soon as you are ready.  Take that first step.  Sign up for the free Fifth Third River Bank Run 10,000 Steps Program at www.53riverbankrun.com and start walking more with a pedometer.  Or attend the community training run on Saturday, March 6 at 8a at the downtown YMCA.  Or stop into Gazelle Sports and ask to talk with someone about how to get started.  Take advantage of the generosity of others.   Then, when you’ve found solid footing in your sport of choice, be prepared to be generous yourself.  We can be so much stronger together than apart.

Wearing a pedometer, however, can be fun, and, for people like me, pretty easy to get used to doing each day.  The pedometer acts as my conscience, prompting me to make choices that will increase the number of steps I’m taking which, in turn, leads to an increase in  my overall activity level.  It doesn’t require me to pay a gym membership and then carve an extra hour out of my day to exercise.  It doesn’t require me to change my eating habits…but, the funny thing is, when I’m actively adding steps to my day I’m less likely to reach for those truffles.

The Fifth Third River Bank Run is currently offering the 10,000 Steps Challenge — completely free of charge!   Simply sign up online at http://www.53riverbankrun.com/training/t1/10-000-steps.php or through a paper entry form (available at any Fifth Third Banking Center).  Upon receipt of your registration, we’ll mail you a pedometer (yes, your very own conscience to get and keep you stepping), a 12 week walking schedule, water bottle, chapstick and a $3 discount coupon for the Fifth Third 5K Community Walk on Saturday, May 8.

So, no excuses.  The 10,000 Steps Challenge isn’t too expensive — did I mention that it is free of charge?  It won’t take a lot of your time — simply clip the pedometer to your waist and go about your regular activity.  And it will provide you with an easy way to get just a little healthier — a step in the right direction for all of us.

Here’s to a new year of taking a few risks.  Sure, it won’t always work out, but when it does, we feel energized, euphoric, on top of the world.  Instead of playing everything so safe, let’s be just a little reckless; with our compliments (brighten someone’s day), our talents (go the extra mile every time), our faith (let someone know they are not alone).

Here’s to a new year of getting a little more healthy.  Not biting off more than we can chew by committing to an exercise regime that we don’t have time or money to complete.  But taking a few steps toward a fitter lifestyle.  Giving up soda and juice in favor of water.  Taking the stairs instead of the elevator — every time.  Doing jumping jacks during all the commercials.

Here’s to a new year of making the world a better place.  The opportunities are overwhelming but we have to start somewhere.  Commit to volunteering for a nonprofit organization once a month.  Clean out your coat closet or pantry and donate what you can without asking for a receipt.   Shovel your neighbor’s driveway right before they return from vacation.  Send a card to someone who means a lot to you listing specific ways they have touched your life.

Here’s to a new year of slowing down a bit and enjoying the world around us.  Go sledding with family or friends even when you have laundry to fold.  Treat yourself to a trip to the library or bookstore; take one hour and just browse without buying.  When you eat out, make a point of asking your waitress or waiter how they are and really listening to their answer.  Make snow angels…with or without your pajamas.

Don’t ever let that thought stop you from doing anything — whether we’re talking about a road race or a new project at work.  Sure, we all wish we were born gazelles, but the fact is, most of us are penguins – kind of silly and not really meant for moving between point a and point b very fast (unless there is water involved).

John “the Penguin” Bingham is one of my favorite Runner’s World columnists, delivering messages of hope and inspiration to people of all fitness levels – plus a dose of humor.  Because, after all, John is one of us.  He’s not the fastest and, in fact, he’s often the slowest.  But rather than worrying about it, he just keeps plugging along, enjoying the words printed on the backs of countless pairs of shorts that pass him on his trek to the finish line.  Check out one of his articles at http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-243-332–13208-0,00.html.  Then take up his mantra:  ”The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

So, if you’re thinking about the second Saturday of May in downtown Grand Rapids, about running or walking (or a combination of both) your way to the Fifth Third River Bank Run finish line, stop thinking and begin training.  Like John “the Penguin” Bingham, have the courage to start.  Waddle on!

Beginning a journey toward improving your level of fitness without a specific goal in mind can be like driving without any sense of direction.   Unless you’re working toward something, it is often tough to stay motivated day after day after day after…you get the idea.

So pick something that interests you and get it on the calendar!  Maybe your kids’ school is having a walk-a-thon to raise money and you”ll make the decision to walk with them.  Maybe you’ve just had a baby and you’d like to get back in your pre-baby clothes by the first day of summer.  Or maybe you’re ready to commit to participating in — not just watching — the Fifth Third River Bank Run on Saturday, May 8.

2010 Fifth Third River Bank Run Training Guides, with training schedules for the 25K, 10K and 5K , are available at any West Michigan YMCA or Gazelle Sports’ location.  Or by emailing Race Headquarters at runinfo@53riverbankrun.com with your mailing address.  The Guide will act as your road map (much easier to fold than the one in your glove box) to better health, detailing the amount of walking and/or running you should be doing each day to safely cross the finish line the second Saturday of May.

Whatever you choose for your road map, choose it soon.  Then allow that goal to lead you toward a healthier — and happier — lifestyle.

BLEACHERS — drive (cycle or walk if the weather allows) to your local middle or high school and walk or jog the bleachers.  Same routine as the stairs but this will get your outside!

HILLS — you don’t need a treadmill with an incline if you can find a good hill or two near where you live or work.  After stretching, try walking uphill several times (walking each downhill), gradually increasing your speed.  Swing your arms to give you more forward momentum.  Add another hill climb with each workout.

JUMP ROPE — turn this into a competition with a friend or family member.  The first person has to jump 10 times in a row; the next person has to match the number of jumps.  Then move to 20 times.  (30 times had me completely out of breath the first time we tried this!)

SHOES — if you live in a neighborhood where you can walk or have access to one of the many trails in West Michigan, get a decent pair of walking or running shoes and hit the pavement.  Just 20-30 minutes a day can make a difference!

EXERCISE BALL — try sit-ups and crunches with an exercise ball and your abdominal muscles can only get stronger. Plus, the ball makes any workout more fun!

WORKOUT VIDEO — my current favorite is from the “Biggest Loser” series (BOOT CAMP).  For less than $15 you get several amazing low impact workouts that really make you sweat.  Plus, Bob and some of the past competitors are right in your living room!

WEIGHTS – I like to use 3 lb., 5 lb. or 8 lb. hand weights to add extra exercise to my stair climbs, workout video routines and neighborhood walks.  Think multi-tasking…your arms will be working just as hard as your legs!

RESISTANCE BANDS — if you travel for work or don’t have a lot of space at home, resistance bands will provide you with a complete body workout on the go!  Plus, kids love these and won’t need much encouragement to get involved.

SHORT-TERM GYM MEMBERSHIP — a variety of workout facilities are currently offering low cost monthly and/or annual memberships.  This is a great way to jumpstart your fitness plan.  Visit a local gym for a tour and see what it would cost to join for just 30 days.  You’ll get a chance to see if the gym is right for you and be 30 days closer to your fitness goals.

The game on Saturday started intimately enough, just our son, daughter and myself taking to the street in front of our house (conveniently we live on a court so traffic is very minimal) and bouncing the Sky Ball back and forth between us as hard as we could.  We had wanted to get out of the house and take advantage of the beautiful Indian Summer day.  My kids’ science teacher emailed me that, “A true Indian Summer occurs when temperatures warm above average during the 7th to 14th of November.”  I didn’t know that prior to his Monday email but certainly enjoyed the fact on Saturday!

As adults, we often fail to appreciate this traditional child’s toy — the ball.  In this instance, the Sky Ball.  With its tremendous bouncing ability, this simple toy really got us moving (if only I had thought to strap on my pedometer!).  The bounce potential makes it difficult to predict where the translucent sphere will wind up, so we were often sent running after it across lawns full of downed leaves and driveways marked with colorful sidewalk chalk images.

The unintended workout was fantastic.  The parent versus kid interaction, priceless.  And within a short time, as more and more of the neighborhoods’ young came running out to join us, the sites and sounds of what felt like a summer day in November…unforgettable.

The 10 day weather forcast predicts above normal temperatures through the week.  Try having a ball on your block.