The Be Active Blog

Good morning!

I can't believe it's already come. But here it is. My last day at Be Active North Carolina. I want to say that the past half year has been an amazing experience, and I could not have had a better internship experience through this organization. I have learned so much, and done so much, that it is amazing to look back on everything. To all of you who I met through the HAC trainings, I wish you good luck and continued success in the policy! For those others who have read these sporadic blogs, thank you, and I hope you enjoyed them!

Be Active North Carolina is a really ambitious non-profit, and working on some of the projects from the inside, I realized what makes this organization a real success is its people. Everyone in the office is passionate about what they do, and they work very hard to bring about the goals. There is so much potential, I am happy to have been a part of the organization, if only for a little while, and helped North Carolina head in the right direction to become a healthier, more active, and happy place to live.

Thank you again to everyone here! I hope when I come back to visit in five or even ten years, it will be to find all of our programs reaching out to the four corners of the state, and Be Active North Carolina known as the Little Organization That Could which brought about a change in physical activity in North Carolina.

Now, I am going back to being a student, for one last semester of my college career!

Signing off,

Nile - Be Active North Carolina, Intern

How time just keeps on flying by. It's hard to believe it will soon be Thanksgiving. It's definitely one of my favorite holidays; an excuse to overeat delicious food, then lie around and do nothing, and then go back to eating even more! To be able to maintain such a rigorous eating schedule, Im going to have to make sure I exercise and eat healthy during the upcoming two weeks. It definitely increases the pleasure of indulging in Thanksgiving when there's no guilt attached to it.

I have finally made jogging around my campus an every-other-afternoon activity, which I am very proud of. I kept telling myself I was going to get back into running, and keep it up, but then the excuses (Too hot! Too cold! Too humid!) always stopped me from following a strict schedule. It's so much harder to keep something up when you don't have some sort of schedule, and your body falls into lapses of no exercise. But now, I feel like my body knows it is time to go running, and it feels great! Remember, the initial step is always the hardest. Once it becomes habit, what you once thought was work can actually turn into fun.

In other news, last night Be Active's full-time staff attended the YWCA Academy of Women. Everyone had an enjoyable evening, mingling with others and watching those receive awards. The Lieutenant Governor was also present, and gave an encouraging speech to women to be more empowered. Congratulations also go out to Polly Leousis from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, who was inducted at the ceremony.

We would also like to wish Chris and Walker good luck for the upcoming Biggest Loser Competition to be held at the Top of the Hill restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC. These men worked hard to lose those pounds, and we are all proud of their personal achievements at becoming such "losers." Good luck!

To everyone else, hope your weeks ahead don't look as busy as mine do. But I know one thing for sure, it will be Thanksgiving before you know it. And I honestly cannot wait fo that!!

Nile  BANC Office

Halloween is fast approaching! Does everybody have a costume yet? I know I do. For the past three years, circumstances made it so that I was not here in North Carolina for Halloween. This year, finally, I get to experience Halloween as a college student, and for my senior year at that. I have no idea what we are planning on doing, but whatever happens, I'm sure it will be a great time!

So, now that we have established that I am just as giddy about Halloween as the eight year olds down the street, how is everyone else planning to spend the day? For our younger crowd, I'm sure the schools have a lot of different functions planned, but how about the working adults? Do you have anything planned within the office? Maybe you could use the day as an excuse to include some fun and activities into the workday! A pumpkin carving contest comes to my mind. You could make teams of three or four, and each team is responsible for carving a pumpkin as fast as they can! Or, you could have a pumpkin-carrying relay around your back lot, field or any other open space you can find. Team events always get you more motivated and the heart rate up, and running around carrying a pumpkin may be the perfect blend of comic amusement and physical exercise! Crazy activities like this are a great way to unwind, not to mention they become talking pieces, and get everyone motivated again back at their desks.

The other joy of each holiday is the great food it brings! Just remember, everything in moderation, and don't go crazy on the snacks and treats! For every extra bit you may eat, it's nice to get out and be active, even for a little bit. The nights are getting too cold, but while the sun is up, enjoy the crisp weather by jogging or taking brisk walks. You will feel that much better when you sit down to a meal, or indulge yourself in a bucket of candy with your children at night.

Last, but not least, I want to give a shout out to Josh Lovell! Josh, you attended the NC PAPA Conference a while ago, and talked to my fellow Be Active members about not knowing we had a blog! Well, here it is! And I hope this encourages you to come back and check in on us periodically. Before the new website goes up, the blog portion is what gets a scheduled update every one or two weeks. Hopefully my random rambles give you some good ideas, and are an enjoyable read for you!

Have an awesome week everyone and a spooktacular Halloween! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Nile - Be Active North Carolina

Today's post will include some updates on projects that were talked about during this past summer. To start, the office has been just as busy recently compared to the summer months, and has expanded to full capacity with new program coordinators and managers! The fun yet hard working atmosphere has only escalated, now that we have more people bustling around the office. Needless to say, this confirms the demand for organizations like ours, and my hope is that such demand is indicative of the state's increase in those participating in physical activity.

The Healthy Active Children (HAC) Policy is well under way of being implemented in all public schools. The goal is to have every teacher within North Carolina trained and familiar with the policy and its related programs by the end of this 2006-2007 school year. We are really happy with the feedback we have been getting so far, and the responses from motivated teachers excited about the changes the activities have brought to their classrooms. So far, we are on track for fulfilling our goal, and some school districts have even completed all of their teacher trainings to receive their completion packet. As the year progresses, we can give you more updates on the policy and its successful implementation. For more general information on the policy, click on the link that can be found under the news heading on the home page!

After one of the most successful Corporate Golf Challenges to date, the team is now gearing up for its upcoming fundraisers, including next year's challenge as well. The money made from this year's challenge is now helping promote physical activity throughout North Carolina through our various sponsored projects, including the Active Steps programs and the Active Blue Van events. Information on other fundraisers, events, and programs will be updated on the website through the upcoming months.

Speaking of websites, currently, major effort and research is going towards revamping the website to make it more informative, interactive, and user-friendly. Though we are still in the first stages of this long process, the prospects are exciting. I will definitely keep you updated on this process, as it not only involves us, but it involves you the viewers as well. With a more up-to-date website, we hope to reach a greater audience within North Carolina, and extend our mission to even the far reaches of the state. (Though, you have to admit, for an office centered in the Triangle area, we do a pretty good job of getting out to every part of the state even now!)

I hope everyone is enjoying the nice October weather. Next up, Halloween. And then we have Thanksgiving and then Christmas! So much to look forward to, I love this time of the year!

Have a great weekend!

Nile  Be Active North Carolina

Good morning! Fall is here, and with it a lot of exciting activities! Here in the Triangle region, the State Fair is coming October 13-22. Fairs are a great chance to get outdoors and walk around. Just make sure you get plenty of walking and exercise in to compensate for the food you are bound to eat there! The beauty of autumn is its clear, brisk days perfect for spending time outdoors. And you don't have to worry about pollen or hayfever the way you do in spring. Make use of this beautiful weather by going out for an early morning run, a lunch break outside, or an evening walk. If you have a store, cafe or restaurant nearby, try walking to these places instead of taking the car. Every little bit helps, and the weather will only make you feel better that you chose to actively get to your location. Studies have shown that, on average, those who get out and enjoy the actual change in seasons like this not only have less stress, but they become healthier both mentally and physically, and help build up a better immune system to fight off colds.

I recently used my bicycle to get from my apartment to a shopping center, and realized how hard it actually is to get from one location to another without a car. When I'm driving, I'm always annoyed when bicycles use the road - I feel like they are blocking the entire lane, and I swerve way around them to make sure I won't hit the cyclist should he topple over or something. But after riding my own bike the other day, I have a new found respect for cyclists, and a new found anger for our local government which I feel is often neglecting the safety of walkers and bikers. I ride around my neighborhood and campus, which is fine, because the university has a lot of trails and a lot of walkers; drivers around there are used to bikers. But the moment I left campus, all of a sudden I saw a problem. First I saw my bike lane end, and when I went up onto the sidewalk, that ended another block down the road. Come to think of it, most roads around here do not have sidewalks. And we all wonder why no one walks from one place to another! I want to say, riding my bike to the shopping center was a pretty bad experience (and I chose to do this because it was a beautiful day, and I didn't want to take my car out just to go buy a new CD!), and a couple of times, I felt my life in danger considering the speed some of these cars passed by at.

The sad fact is, the situation is like the chicken and the egg; which came first? Did people stop walking so therefore sidewalks were forgotten, or new roads were built without sidewalks so people stopped walking? I actually believe that the former is the real truth. In which case, I have no right to complain that there aren't enough sidewalks or bike lanes. But we can change this! If we all start walking, jogging, biking, and getting out there, the need for such sidewalks and bike lanes will become apparent again! Already, in the newer subdivisions, such trails are in existence. We should make it our priority to extend these trails to all parts of the state, so that when people do want to get from one place to another without their car, they have that option.

Again, make sure you do go out and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather! Otherwise, once it gets too cold, you are going blame yourself for not getting out more, and no one wants that. Keep a log or calendar of possible events and activities to get you motivated to go out and be physically active. It'll make you feel proud come winter, and less guilty sipping that hot chocolate by the warm fireplace!

Nile - Be Active North Carolina

Hello!! I can't believe it is already the first week of September. The summer months seem to have slipped right by, and everyone is back in their routine, whether that be school, jobs or working around the house. The evenings are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. Autumn is definitely in the air, and what better way to enjoy this beautiful season than take some time to step out and feel the changing season for yourselves. An early morning/ late evening jog or walk can be very refreshing, and help you get back into that physical activity mode after hiding under the AC all summer. On weekends, bike rides or picnics with friends and family are also a great way to enjoy what North Carolina has to offer. Here in the Durham region, we have the American Tobacco Trail, a 22 mile hiking/biking route that connects downtown Durham with Jordan Lake to the south. Though some parts have not yet been completed, much of the trails are done. For more information on the American Tobacco Trail and other greenways in the Triangle region, check out http://www.triangletrails.org. Other regions in the state have similar trails, and they can be found by looking up greenways or parks within your region. Triangle Trails has a link page with information on trails in other regions as well. Instead of a Saturday at the mall, break it up this season with outdoor activities and recreation at these sites!

For those interested in obesity issues, Trust for America's Health released their 2006 report; "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America." You can read the report by going to our homepage and clicking on the news link there. According to the report, North Carolina has been ranked the 17th most obese state in the nation, while if you include overweight people in the category, we have been ranked the 14th fattest state in the nation. There is much that still needs to be done regarding obesity issues in our state, but we are on the right track, with more people aware of the gravity of the issue and willing to step up and help. Take the time to read the report, and see how the nation compares as a whole to both North Carolina and your own region.

Remember though, eating healthy is important, but physical activity is just as important. Even the smallest things, like parking at the far end of the lot of your supermarket and walking that extra distance, can help you stay healthy. (And not only that, it saves your car from being scratched up by other cars!) It's the start of a new season, and the weather is cooling off. It's a great time to start being physically active, if you aren't already. Enjoy the outdoors and have fun, and you'll be amazed by how much more fulfilled you feel at the end of the day.

Until next week,

Nile - Be Active North Carolina

I would like to think we have experienced the worst and the summer heat is giving way to the cool deliciousness of autumn here in Durham. This past weekend was beautiful! Dry, with a high of 75, with puffy white clouds and amazingly blue skies. If there was ever a day to take advantage of and get out and about, it was last Saturday. I hope everyone did in fact leave their homes for at least an hour and enjoy the weather. Since then, the humidity has been on and off, but nowhere near as deadly as it has been. I hope this weekend will bring back some of that nice weather again. Keep your fingers crossed!

The end of August is always an exciting time, bringing change and a new year for children and students, and parents live this change vicariously through them. After three long months of fun, camps and perhaps a little studying, students (whether they admit this or not) are excited about going back to school and seeing all of their friends. It is especially exciting for me personally, as this will be my last school year, and then I am off to join the world of adults. I suppose senior year of college is quite different from moving from 4th to 5th grade, however I would like to think we all share that same giddy feeling the first day back.

This upcoming semester, as part of my curriculum, I have signed up for some PE classes. A first for me at college. I have been OK about getting myself to be active over the past three years of college, but after working at Be Active over the summer, I realized being simply OK just doesn't cut it. I know there are people out there that can motivate themselves and make sure they stick to a strict regimen, and they achieve results, feeling good about themselves in this way. I have to admit, I am not one of them. If it came down to it, I would probably choose being lazy over being active, which is why I have decided to sign up for physical education.

My point here is, not everyone can be active without a little push or helping hand. And there is no reason to feel ashamed or guilty about this. If you are like me and need that hand, why not go look for something? There are always community groups that get together to be active, or you can create one among a group of friends. This way, you not only encourage each other, but you encourage yourself as part of the group. You will find it will be much easier to get up and out when you know five other people are expecting you. And, remember, you can always treat yourself to a reward afterwards. Like a healthy drink or snack. Tea is always a good choice, as are fruit and vegetables. Afternoon tea with a fruit platter can become a great incentive after an hour's worth of physical activity.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! I will be back to post in September, when I resume working here at Be Active.

Take care,

Nile  Be Active North Carolina.

Good morning! The past couple of days have been slightly overcast here in Durham, lowering the heat from what surely was the 100s to a more bearable high 80s. Still, the scorching summer heat (and not to mention humidity) has not left us yet, and I hope everyone is taking the necessary precautions when they go outside in this weather. Being active and maintaining this activity can especially be a drag during these hot summer months. I know I have gotten lazy myself about going out and running, and I am not a gym person; I just don't like being surrounded by strangers all plugging away on machines that don't take you anywhere. So here are some things that you can do that will still keep you active, while at the same time allow you to survive through the rest of summer so that you can enjoy that first cool breeze of autumn. (By the way, didn't that used to be September? Nowadays it's still hot in October!)

For those who have stairs in your homes, there is an easy way to keeping active, in the comforts of your house and air conditioner. All you need to use is the first step; step up, and then step back down; step up, and step back down. Keep repeating this for however many minutes you feel like doing. You can keep going up on your right foot first, and then halfway through, switch it up and go up on your left foot. You may be surprised, even a short ten minute workout on the stairs can get you sweating and your heart rate up. If your staircase is by a window, it even gives you something to look at - although, I personally suggest turning on some music, not only to pass the time, but to help track how long you have been going at it. (A song on a CD is roughly 3-4 minutes long.)

Another exercise you can do uses weights. If you don't have weights, you can use empty milk cartons as an easy substitute. Fill them up with water or sand, and the beauty of this is you can adjust the weight accordingly. Just make sure that the top is secured tightly with duct tape! Once you have your weights, find a relatively large room in the house where you can get to the four corners without having to dodge a lot of furniture. Start in one corner, and walk to the next corner while lifting your weights up and down. You can lift them up over your head or out and sideways, depending on the muscles you want to work on. When you get to the first corner, do some squats along with the weights. When you do ten squats, walk again to the next corner. Keep repeating until you make it a couple of times around the room. For an extra work out, you can keep lifting the weights while you do the squats as well.

Cleaning the house, mopping the floors, and scrubbing the bathtubs can all become exercise too. Treat it as such, and not only will you get your daily quota of physical activity, but in the end you will having something to show for your accomplishments! The important thing though is, whatever you do, to keep at it, and don't fall into the habit of calling off all activity until the weather cools. Be innovative in what can be physical activity, and you'll feel great at the end of each day knowing you did something good for your body!

Take care!

Nile - Be Active North Carolina

Good afternoon!! The update today will be about the Healthy Active Children Policy and the Regional Trainings. To recap, the HAC policy is in response to the state mandate that every elementary and middle school student must have 30 minutes of physical activity a day during school. Here at Be Active, with the support and sponsorship of the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund and NC Department of Public Instruction, we are helping provide all teachers with the resources to meet this state mandate. Be Active has organized eight regional trainings statewide to teach classroom teachers and other community supporters, who in turn will give and teach teachers within their own districts these resources.

As of today, we have completed four regional trainings, and we have four more coming next week. They have all been successful so far, with great feedback. I want to thank every teacher and supporter who has shown up at these trainings. The state mandate could not be met without your dedication and support, and we are glad that such an enthusiastic bunch is on board! With your help, we will surely meet the goals and help decrease childhood obesity within the state.

Special thanks also go out to the representatives of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund, Kymm Ballard from DPI, and Melanie Champion from Sports Time for their help in these trainings. I want to also give a special shout out to Carrie! Her relentless work has made each of these trainings a success, and without her none of these trainings would even be taking place!

Yall have a good weekend, and stay active, and stay healthy!

Nile - Be Active North Carolina

The days go by way too fast. I feel like I just wrote the last entry, and already it is a week later. So much happened over this past week though, there is much to share. And much for Be Active to be proud of.

Our annual Corporate Golf Challenge down in Pinehurst was a wonderful success. Everyone left with smiles on their faces, despite having been outside all day in the 100 degree weather. We had the largest turnout yet with nearly 400 people, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and Pinehurst Resort staff, everything went flawlessly. We have to give special recognition to our staff too, especially Liz and Sarah, without whom none of this would have been possible. They spent hours upon hours to make sure that this was the best Golf Challenge yet, and all of that paid off. Everyone had a great time, and for a great cause. And it put Be Active on the map and minds of North Carolinians!

The Golf Challenge started out for us staff on Sunday, when we arrived bright and early in Pinehurst to set up the registration room in the Club House of the Pinehurst Country Club. By late afternoon, we were feeling the aches from hauling and opening 400 boxes with give-away golf bags, but two hours was enough for everyone to freshen up and arrive at the Corporate Express reception. There, those of us who arrived a day early had a chance to unwind and meet one another before the big game the following day.

The day of the game was a beautiful North Carolina summer day. Needless to say, every player (and volunteer!) went through a lot of liquids that day. I am proud to say that water was one of the most popular drinks out on the course. Not only were people being active, they were being healthy as well! The day ended with a reception in the Members Club, where everyone sat down to a gourmet buffet. Our mission at Be Active was highlighted, and we all wished everyone a safe journey home. Needless to say, many players shouted out greetings, "see you next year!"

I want to thank again everyone who took part in this great weekend, and know that the money raised will be used to improve the health and living of the state of North Carolina through physical activity. Take some time and look around this website to see what sort of activities and other plans this money will support.

Tomorrow we have another regional training for the Healthy Active Children policy. A busy week lies ahead for us for these trainings next week as well. We will try to get more comprehensive pages up for these different events in the coming weeks. We have some good pictures we want to share with y'all too!

Have a great weekend! Stay healthy and be active!

Nile

Be Active North Carolina