Outcome of my Interview with Sean Kelly

With New Year's Resolutions, Mayor Leads By Example

 

For resident looking to shape up and slim down, they need to look no further than to Rock Hill's mayor.

By Sean Kelly

Rock Hill Mayor Daniel DiPlacido had a problem.

It was a common problem, and one many Americans become aware of every New Year’s Day: he wasn’t in the sort of shape he wanted to be.

“Ironically, it was my profession of physical therapist that caused me to veer off course with my own personal fitness,” DiPlacido said.

The mayor accepted a very demanding position as a therapist in a sports medicine clinic that required 10-12 hour days minimum on a regular basis.

"I was so tired when I got home that I frequently didn’t have the energy to even make supper, much less head for the gym for a workout," DiPlacido said. "That job lasted for two years, but my absence from the gym lasted until this past summer, nearly ten years.”

This year, DiPlacido re-engaged with the idea of personal fitness with a vengeance, losing 52 pounds in 12 weeks.  “I exercised, and still do, every day - a good brisk cardiovascular workout on (an elliptical machine) for at least 35 minutes.”

Obesity is a significant problem in the United States, according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control. As of 2009, 24.5 percent of people in the state of Missouri are obese, with an additional portion being overweight.  Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular and other health problems and can shorten a person's lifespan.

In addition to burning calories, people should be conscious of what they're putting into their bodies, according to Margaret Murphy, a registered and licensed dietitian who is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health fitness specialist with a pending Masters in Science from Saint Louis University.

“Just like a checkbook, food diaries are good tools to help people budget their eating habits,” Murphy said.

A helpful food diary, according to Murphy, has the type of food, the amount eaten, the time the food was eaten, where, if you were alone or with someone, if you were doing another activity while eating, the reason you ate, your mood and if you planned the food or not.

“Some of these questions can help you determine overall trends that are sabotaging your healthy eating plans,” Murphy said, “For example, you may find out that you’re eating far more alone at your desk when you’re stressed out than you thought. Then you have a better way to target the behavior and set goals to change that particular pattern.”

DiPlacido agrees that overeating is a significant problem in American society.

“With our huge meal servings, our comfort foods, our snack foods and the popularity of fast foods and the all-you-can-eat buffets, (overeating) was a real problem for me," the mayor said, adding that it's more of a challenge to eat healthfully than it is to work out every day.

Once you’ve started monitoring your eating, the next step is to plan ahead.

“There are tons of little hints and tricks to reduce calories, but the main suggestions for lifestyle changes are to do more of your own food preparation and plan out your meals in advance," Murphy said. "With these two suggestions you can avoid hunger while meeting your goals.”

Preplanned, healthy meals and snacks will help you stay on track without using convenience and hunger to guide food choices, according to Murphy.

“If you’re committed to losing weight, it is important to take the time to commit to packing lunches, grocery shopping or batch cooking and freezing. You can then portion out foods for the week and know where you stand."

The important thing, is to think of the value of your health and your goals instead of the "value meal," Murphy said, adding that you should put more valuable foods into meals. 

“Once you start losing weight, it becomes fun,” DiPlacido said.  “On the one hand it was a very difficult thing to do, but on the other hand, I was surprised how easy it was once I got started.”