Weighing in on United’s Extra Charge for “Large”
I saw the [item] about United charging extra for fat people (July–August “Making News,” p. 13). I think it’s terrific. Have you ever sat between two obese people? It’s rather gross and uncomfortable. If I pay for one whole seat, I expect to have full use of the whole seat. Not a portion of it—otherwise I should get a discount. Absolutely. Fat people should pay more. I am sure they pay more when they eat more. Just like we all pay more for larger housing lots. Perhaps more [rules] like this will make people think twice before they get too large. When more people are slimmer, and therefore healthier, it brings down medical costs and insurance premiums for all of us. The obesity rates just increased again. What is it going to take to stop it? Definitely not more “acceptance” of it.
Birgitta Lauren
President, Expecting Fitness Inc.
Beverly Hills, California
It’s unfortunate that United Airlines is forced to do this, but for many “large” people this is the first time they have been held accountable for the personal behaviors that led to their obesity. I feel that too often, in the interest of protecting people’s feelings, we lie to them or give them excuses: “It’s not your fault you are overweight. Portion sizes have grown. You have the fat gene.” The net effect is that by shielding or preventing the natural accountability or “feedback” loop necessary to identify and correct for poor choices or bad behavior, the people never make any changes. They waddle through life until they are embarrassed and angry when they don’t fit in the seat. United Airlines becomes the bad guy, [then] some attorney walks up and tells them, “It’s not your fault.”
John Macgowan
Host, Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast
Misconceptions About
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Jennie McCary’s article about high-
fructose corn syrup (HFCS) (June 2009,
pp. 76–78) had some solid information about restricting sugar (fructose) intake (not satisfying hunger, leading to triglyceride excess, and other dangers). [However,] the title of the article is perplexing to me, because it seems to defend HFCS as okay to eat (“sweet facts” and “dispelling myths”). A major misconception about HFCS among dietitians is that it is just as safe as sucrose. The truth is that both HFCS and sucrose are toxins in the human body, causing metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Rick Voakes, MD, FAAP
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Applause for IDEA
Editorial Content
I am a personal trainer, group instructor and professional counselor living and working in rural Wisconsin. I have been an IDEA member for many years and have enjoyed and learned from every Fitness Journal I’ve received. I appreciate this publication and the organization for the education and support I receive. In my locale, there are very few others “like me,” and it’s good to feel connected to the greater fitness world via IDEA.
Nancy J. Vraniak, MS
Springbrook, Wisconsin
I received the May issue of IDEA Fitness Journal, and words alone cannot express our appreciation! The editorial staff has achieved absolute excellence in how the articles are written and the information provided to the IDEA community! Thank you for giving co-author Rich [Colosi] and me the opportunity to be part of the IDEA family, [offering] information that is very important for health and fitness professionals. We hope to continue providing education through IDEA Fitness Journal and in presentations at IDEA events.
Christina M. Christie, PT, CCE, FAFS
President, Pelvic Solutions, and Facility
Manager, Accelerated Rehabilitation
Park Ridge, Illinois
The May issue of IDEA Fitness Journal, which included a Women’s Health section, was one of the best ever! I particularly liked the in-depth article on women’s bone health (“The Bare Bones,” by Jason Karp, PhD, pp. 35–41). I prefer to read evidence-based research versus anecdotal evidence. [The article] was outstanding! I thought I knew a lot about the subject, but this was up-to-date and very informative. Thank you for all you do to make IDEA Fitness Journal an excellent resource.
Diane Buchta
Del Mar, California
I have to say that the June 2009 issue of IDEA Fitness Journal by far has been the best one I’ve read!
Renee Short
Fitness Fusion Buzz
What a wonderful event 2009 IDEA Fitness Fusion™ was. I had four of my employees with me, and I can’t tell you the buzz this conference has created among the staff. Prior to the event, I sat with them to create a strategic class-selection list that would best meet each of their needs. Two of the four are new to the industry and had never attended a conference before. I had designated a meeting time/place during the conference break to [hear about] their experiences from the morning sessions. If I could have bottled their energy, enthusiasm and excitement, and sold it on the market, I’d be one wealthy woman.
Your course offerings, coupled with the selected presenters, were second to none. All the sessions that we attended were professionally conducted, as well as educational, motivational and—most important—practical for our work. Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment to bring quality education to our region.
Debi Pillarella, MEd, CPT
Exercise Program Manager, The
Community Hospital Fitness Pointe
Munster, Indiana
2009 IDEA Fitness Fusion seemed to be a tremendous success! The energy of the participants and the cast of quality
educators were outstanding!
Lynne Brick
President, Brick Bodies Fitness
Services Inc.
Cockeysville, Maryland
Excellent Teaching Tips From IDEA Instructor
I had to drop you a line just to say how much Donna Hutchinson’s seminar at Fitness Fusion (“From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary”) has helped my classes and my overall teaching experience. I have used most if not all of her teaching points with success:
- bringing in live music for cool-down (a 9-year-old violin player whose mom was a member of my class
- asking a question about health or giving a healthy tip of the day
- asking a student to come up to the front for a demonstration because he or she is my star student of the day (The student demonstrates proper form or leads the class during the final go-through of the dance routine.)
- using 2-minute workout index cards, changing them every week or every other week
- awarding an MVP every week in my boot camp classes (I post the notices at the front desk near the scan-in point, so everyone knows who the MVPs are.)
- addressing the students by name or using name tags for new classes
- using partner drills during class and announcing that it’s time to get to know your fellow members a little bit better
- letting students request music
- opening the format to students’ ideas (I have a class that is a mixed bag, so I often ask for requests or for ideas from students to keep it interesting.)
- bringing healthy treats (I’m a former chef, so for my early morning classes I have been bringing vegan breakfast treats or recipe ideas.)
Other things I plan to incorporate:
- holding a Christmas in July event (a week of Christmas-inspired music)
- implementing a Team Spirit Challenge for my boot campers (a prize for the person with the best overall team spirit
My class numbers have gone up, and members have told the department head wonderful things about how much fun they have in my classes, as well as what a good workout they get. So, again, thank you Donna so much for all of your help! I hope you will be at the next IDEA conference!
Selange Giannetto
St. Charles, Illinois
Corrections
The editors wish to correct two errors in the June 2009 issue of IDEA Fitness Journal.
On page 39, in “IDEA World Fitness Convention ’09,” by Mary Monroe, a STOTT PILATES® product name was given as the STOTT PILATES V2 Max Plus Reformer; it should have been the STOTT PILATES V2 Max Plus Reformer.
On page 60, in “Pilates for the Overweight Client,” the caption for
the pectorals exercise indicated that the client was lying on two arc barrels; in fact she was on a foam roller. The exercise can also be performed on two arc barrels.
We apologize for the errors.
Send your letters and opinions to Ryan Halvorson, IDEA Fitness Journal Fitness Forum, 10455 Pacific Center Ct., San Diego, CA 92121-4339; fax them to him at (858) 535-8234; or
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fit.com. You may also leave a voice mail letter in the editorial voice
mail box at (858) 535-8979, ext. 239. (For general membership questions or information, however, please e-mail member services at member@ideafit .com.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length or clarity.
