's motd 8/19/2008

[Guest guest]

THE FIT CONGRESSMAN

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

As most of you know, on July 24th, I had the great privilege of traveling to Washington, DC to testify before the House Education & Labor Committee in support of the Fit Kids Bill.

Fourth-term Congressman, Ric Keller of Florida, ranking member of the House Higher Education Subcommittee and member of the House Judiciary Committee was one of the Congressmen listening to my testimony and asking questions of me and the other witnesses.Congressman Keller's own remarks in support of fitness and physical education impressed me even more because of his own personal story with his weight and health. He not only talks the talk on the importance of a healthy lifestyle but he personally walks the walk, too! You see, the Congressman once weighed 255 pounds. And when he weighed that much, he had the big appetite to prove it! Back then, his typical lunch might consist of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and a couple of pieces of pecan pie! At that weight and only 42 years-old, he had a very low energy level and just didn't feel good most of the time.So Congressman Ric made the decision to change the way he had been living his life. First, he went to a nutritionist. She taught him all about the six major food groups and about the importance of portion sizes. With that important information in his head, the Congressman also decided to make jogging and running the exercise of choice for his new healthier lifestyle.

Well, I'm here to tell you that Congressman Keller has lost 100 pounds! He is now down to 155 pounds and has maintained his new weight for an entire year!I had the honor of having the Congressman on my radio show this past Sunday. He talked openly about the transformation he has seen in his body and how much better he is feeling these days, since losing all of that weight. He told me that this is going to be his lifestyle for the rest of his life. (Hooray!) Even with his hectic schedule as a Congressman, he makes the time to take care of his body and his mind!Congressman Keller told me that he is very proud of me for my testimony before Congress. He also told me that my speech had a great impact on all those attending the hearing or who saw my testimony later on television. But like I said, his personal commitment to his own good health is very inspirational, too!

The two of us agreed to keep in touch and work hard together getting the Fit Kids Bill passed. Which reminds me, if you haven't written your own Congressman, there's still time for you to write. So please, take time today to help save the health of our children. You can do it by writing your own Congressman. To join the fight, just click on this link for my PE Crusade and get that E-mail off to your Congressman today!Love,