Published: September 05, 2008 08:45 pm            

DODD: Get moving it before Charlestown loses it

Is our state logo eventually going to be a silhouette of a beer belly and our state song to be changed to “Baby got (too much) back?”

That will not happen if Mayor Bob Hall can motivate the residents in and around Charlestown. Move It-Lose It-Charlestown is a program that is now underway to help local residents shape up and get healthy. For Hall, this is not just a slogan but rather a very personal crusade. He found out last February just how important it is for a 52-year-old man to begin to exercise better health habits.

Hall was sitting with a friend at lunch one afternoon when he began to feel a bit out of kilter. A trip to the hospital found he had suffered a mild stroke. Speaking half sarcastically, Hall said a doctor told him, “Lose 100 pounds and then we'll talk.” I doubt that 100 is necessary, but the former basketball player is now keenly aware that being overweight can be harmful to one's health.

He also noted that after his medical wake-up call, many people commented to him that they also needed to shape up for both aesthetic reasons and for health concerns. All of this talk spawned an idea that perhaps a citywide effort would provide a support system for many people who know an excess of weight and a shortage of exercise is not the best recipe for a long and healthy life.

“Sixteen Tons” is the title of a classic country song and the unofficial goal for the collective weight loss for Charlestown residents between the actual kick-off date of Oct. 4 and next year's Founders Day ceremony that begins June 26. Hall is encouraging local offices to form teams as they have done in the mayor's office.

Mayor's Assistant Ruthie Jackson is excited about being a part of the team and setting and achieving her own personal goals. "We are just looking forward to it as a staff- to be on the page, but not the big page.”

Merchants and small businesses around Charlestown are getting aboard and participating. Some restaurants will have a Move It-Lose It- Charlestown logo to indicate a healthy menu item. Anytime Fitness, a new 24-hour Charlestown health club is heavily involved. PIP printing has donated, as well as Jay-Cee food store. Mike Funk, CEO of Saint Catherine Hospital, is making sure proper nutrition information and health technical expertise is available. In a phone message, said, “We are going to be working closely with the mayor, the city, various other entities in the community, to try and provide an ongoing, sustained approach to healthy lifestyle, healthy habits, weight reduction, physical fitness and a variety of other things that will help our community to be healthier, live longer and live more happily.”

Anyone wishing to pre-register can go to the city Web site at cityofcharlestown.com and select the Move It-Lose It-Charlestown logo to link to the registration site. In the near future as the contest gets underway a running meter on the Web site will keep track of the city's collective success along the way. The plan calls for local celebrities and dignitaries to lead group walks through Greenway Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

The mayor's office and community volunteers are in the process of organizing the big kick-off event on Oct. 4. While there will be some prizes awarded for accomplishment next Founders Day, this is not about winning a grand prize or creating a competitive atmosphere among residents. The ultimate prize is for a fit and healthy citizenry and a chance to share some community spirit.

The entire state has motivation not to move up in a top 10 list, as Indiana was recently selected as the 11th-fattest state in America. Hall is tracking his daily steps with a pedometer and trying to increase his own daily walking habits. His recent 35-pound weight loss is already making him feel better and has him leading by example.

I asked Hall and Jackson if there was an interoffice pool wager among individual City Hall team members. Before she could respond, Hall chuckled and let out what certainly sounded like was a premeditated and calculated double entendre response, “We carry more weight around the city than anyone else.” However, if all goes according to the city team's action plan, it probably won't be as true a statement in the future.

Lindon Dodd is an Otisco resident who is a freelance writer and can be reached at lindon.dodd@hotmail.com.

        

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