What’s YOUR Biggest Obstacle to Living Healthy?

Okay…so I’m doing a BUNCH of research and looking for ways to overcome common health obstacles like “no time,” “no money,” etc.

But in order for us to develop successful programs to overcome obstacles – we need to know what your biggest obstacles to health are?

Sound off! What conditions limit you from living your healthiest lifestyle? Let us know!

Be part of the movement to make America’s communities healthy! Share your comments, suggestions and great ideas on how to eat healthy!

Lolo Jones: Champion in our Hearts

It’s obvious to all of us at Hopscotch Family Company that Lolo Jones has indeed earned her publicity. Her life story is an inspirational look at how one can overcome adversity, praise God for it, and move forward regardless of what people are saying. And ‘people’ are not being very nice.

In a recent article published in the New York Times, the writer says that Jones has ‘‘received far greater publicity than any other American track and field athlete competing in the London Games. This was based not on achievement but on her exotic beauty and on a sad and cynical marketing campaign.’’

I think the only sad and cynical campaign being used is in the NYTimes article, not in Jones’ marketing campaign.

The writer, Jere Longman, continues throughout the article to berate Lolo for her marketing decisions. He complains that she posed nude for ESPN the Magazine.  But if you do a Google image search for “ESPN nude Lolo” you’ll come up with a whole slew of athletes that have also posed nude – and not so discretely as Jones did. Not only are we proud of Lolo for her tasteful photographs, we are also proud of her for maintaining her body and providing a healthy model of living to Americans. (BTW, over 42% of American’s will be obese by 2030…those statistics are bleak at best.)

The NYT writer also pokes at the February cover of Outside Magazine on which Lolo appeared wearing a lovely bathing suit that he complains was, “made of nothing but strategically placed ribbon.” If Mr. Longman has such strong opinions about fashion, perhaps he should make a career change and become a fashion writer!

Coming Soon! Spring Fashion blog by Jere Longman…

And finally, in his last ditch effort to shame Lolo, Longman speaks out against her virginity saying, “If there is a box to check off, Jones has checked it…Jones has decided she will be whatever anyone wants her to be — vixen, virgin, victim.” I wonder if Jere would have even paid any attention to Lolo if she were not a vixen, virgin or victim? Isn’t he supporting all of these roles by drawing attention to them? Perhaps if she looked like Nanny McPhee he would leave her alone?

If Lolo were only beautiful on the inside, would there even be an issue?

In the article, fellow athletes are quoted making statements that they too have had difficult lives, but they just don’t share them with the public. Of course they don’t share them. That would mean opening themselves up to vulnerability and scrutiny and harassment. That takes courage. Opening yourself up to the world to stand tall in your convictions, to proclaim your strengths and weaknesses, to share your trials and successes, your “testimony,” well that’s something only the strongest in heart and fullest of faith are able to do.

We applaud Lolo Jones in her public and private struggles to do what is right and come out ahead of the pack. Please continue to share your testimony, Lolo. So many young girls need to hear what you have to say! We’ll see you in Rio!

Champion in our hearts – Lolo Jones!

Morning Zen for Teachers

It’s back-to-school for kids and teachers this Monday! And we wanted to encourage our readers to begin the school year properly – by setting up a morning routine that inspires you and energizes you.

Your morning should be focused on creating a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere inside you (mind, body & spirit) and around you (home, classroom & colleagues). You should strive to enter into your day with a positive mindset, a calm heart and a great big smile.

Here’s how:

• Start the day before. Tie up any loose ends in the classroom before you leave for the day. This may seem tedious at the end of a long day, but as you get used to this routine you will find that your sleep is more peaceful, your morning is less hectic and your energy at the end of the day is increased.
• Wake up to something other than an ‘alarm’ clock. Get an iPod or CD player that will wake you up to your favorite symphony, the sound of the rain forest, or some other subtle (yet vibrant enough to rouse you) sounds.
• Stretch. Ever heard of “good mornings?” This is a wonderful stretch that can be done on the edge of your bed, or when you first rise.

Wake up your muscles & gradually improve overall flexibility with this morning stretch.

• Exercise. Wake up 15 minutes earlier than you usually do so you can exercise your body. Not only will you energize your muscles, stimulate your metabolism, and clear up any mental morning fog, research suggests that morning exercise improves sleep, a benefit that could also promote weight loss! So, head out the door for a brisk 10 – 15 minute walk, or commit to doing jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches, and lunges.
• Get inspired by choosing a weekly or daily quote. You can purchase a 365 day quote calendar or bookmark a favorite quote website and visit each Sunday to choose your weekly quote. (We like http://www.quotegarden.com/ )
• If you have a long morning commute, focus on arriving safely. No matter how loud you scream or what expletives you choose to use, traffic will not suddenly disappear and let you through. So rather than focusing on something you don’t have much control over, drive safely and pay attention to what you’re doing. We all love our teachers and want you to arrive safe & sound to school!

And please remember, Don’t Text and Drive

• When you make it safely to your classroom, say a blessing over the room as you walk in. Bless the room as a safe place where children will encounter guidance, inspiration, creativity, compassion, encouragement, and healthy relationships. Say a blessing over the children’s desks, asking for something specific for each child or simply for curious minds and focused energy. Then take a moment to confess your insecurities and release them so that you too may continue to grow and receive valuable lessons from your pupils.
• Be a blessing to your colleagues.

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.  ~Phyllis Diller

I will leave you with this to inspire a smile and hopefully a hearty laugh like the one I enjoyed…

(I laughed until I cried! Hope you have a wonderful day!)

Does This Makes Sense to You

What does that mean to you? Have you been looking for a magic pill that will achieve your fitness results? Have you tried every “get fit quick, melt fat fast” gimmick, trick, tip, and diet out there?

Let me encourage you before I make my next statement – if you’re determined to fit into your ‘dream body,’ it CAN be done! You CAN do it!

But a pill, wrap, diet, shake, book, etc isn’t the answer. YOU are the answer.

• YOU have to get ‘it’ together!
• YOU have to love your body enough to make it healthy.
• YOU have to put in some hard work.
• YOU have to dedicate your life to a new way of feeling, living, acting, eating.

Does that make sense to you? YOU are the key to your own success.

Hopscotch Family Company is holding a Book Club Reading of “Thin is the New Happy.” Purchase your book here and then join us on Facebook. (We’ll do live Google Hang-outs for long distance book clubbers.)

 

A Letter from Focus on the Family

This is copied directly from a letter I received from Focus on the Family. I wanted to share this because it encompasses the belief structure that is the foundation of Hopscotch Family Company.

You’ve probably seen the name of a popular fast-food restaurant, Chick-fil-A, in the news quite a bit recently—but unfortunately, it’s not because of the quality of their food or service (which are both excellent).

It’s because Chick-fil-A’s COO, Dan Cathy, was asked in a recent radio interview how he feels about same-sex marriage, and he gave an honest answer, based on his Christian faith and what the Bible says about homosexuality.

Now, the Left is calling for a nationwide boycott of the chain. A-list actors have vowed never to eat there again, and Boston’s mayor has said he’ll do all he can to keep Chick-fil-A franchises from opening in his city. And the Jim Henson Company, which was working on a promotional campaign with Chick-fil-A, ended the partnership last week, with CEO Lisa Henson ordering Chick-fil-A’s payment to be donated to a gay-activist organization instead.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee posted an invitation for people to show support for Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1—one which was shared by nearly a million people in the course of 24 hours this week. Tuesday, Facebook® took the invitation down without explanation. Fortunately, it was restored later that night, with Facebook® telling CitizenLink it had made “an error.”

Chick-fil-A has always operated with biblical values. Franchises from coast to coast are closed on Sunday in order to observe the Sabbath and allow employees to attend church, if they wish. The company’s charitable foundation has given $2 million to pro-family organizations, including Focus on the Family. That’s made a lot of headlines, too, especially in the blogosphere.

The point is, we no longer seem to live in a country where people can agree to disagree over same-sex marriage and let the dominant viewpoint prevail at the polls. Instead, those who seek to radically redefine the family too often take a scorched-earth policy to everyone who holds biblical values, and seek to silence them in any way possible.

Please join me in praying that God will restore a level of civil discourse to our nation—and thanking Him for courageous people who will stand up for their beliefs, no matter what the cost. I hope that each of us is able to display the kind of integrity the Cathy family has through this debate.

Thanks for reading. We are praying for loving understanding on both sides of this issue.