We all want our planet to stay fit. Don’t get her overheated by global warming. Cut down on those “carbs”, carbon dioxide, and for that matter, other global warming gases.

One of the best ways you can help do that, besides writing to Congress to pass better laws, and joining a global warming citizen group [try www.1sky.org to find a group or six in your zip code], is to keep yourself in trim. Why? Because we need you to be fit to walk those precincts and join the run for your local global warming group. We need you to stop eating too much, if that is a problem for you, because you are gobbling up more of the world’s resources than necessary. Eating vegetarian is better for the planet, and it also helps you cut down on the waist line.

How many times have I seen extremely obese people on the bus or Metro having a hard time sitting or getting up? Or seen their expressions of pain? My clients with diabetes have lost feet and legs because they didn’t eat right and stay fit. Overweight people risk a host of life-threatening ailments, heart attack, stroke, etc.

So, let’s make a pledge to get out there and walk or run or bike as much as you can and stay out of your gasoline car. Then, up your trip some more. Sit ups, push ups and chin ups are some of my favorites to do everyday, and it doesn’t take a gym membership. Soon you will get your “six pack” back. Look at Charlie and Rex. Slender and geeky ! Who could ask for more from a 60 year old guy and his one year old pup? Fewer pounds to propel down the highway, means less energy use, means less pollution.

Then, when you have that “Wow” factor, you will attract more people to your pro-solar, pro-electric car message. I know it is silly. Why should people care about the package and not the message? But way too many people do. I know that some people think we stress too much about weight. Enjoy the natural “who you are”. But too much weight can kill you early. And we Americans, and many others in other countries, have a surplus of foods and fatty, sugary ones at that, that are making our figures and our lives less than they could be, if not downright ugly. Don’t get me wrong - I know overweight people who have a heart of gold. I just wish they put that heart in a body with abs of steel ! Our children are getting obese. We need to set a good example.

Here are some thoughts.
Start with a positive attitude. Optimism is an intellectual choice. You can just say, “ I am going to make the world better and make a better me” and choose to be on the sunny side of life!

Stop smoking and get rid of anything else you know is bad for you.

Exercise every day. Challenge your friends or mate to join you. It is more fun that way. I do 100 situps every morning. And about 12 chin ups. 50 pushups.

Posture. Stand up straight. It is good for your back and you look better. Think, like those in ballet, that you have a string tied to the top of your head, and all your body hangs from it, like a puppet. You will feel lighter on your feet. Makes you want to dance !

Eat and drink less. Lose unwanted pounds. Save money on groceries and buy more solar panels with the money you saved! Weigh yourself every day and chart your progress. Draw a straight line on a chart from what your weight is now to where you want it to be, over the next few months. Then chart your weight daily to see that you are staying on the weight loss program. Make up a diet plan and sign a contract with yourself, with witnesses that this, and only this, is what you will eat. If you fall off the wagon for a splurge with your pals at the bar, so what. Get back on schedule tomorrow. Much of weight is water weight. Try fewer fluids to wring the fluids out of those fat cells. Think of fatty bacon..fried. No more grease. Down to the meat/muscle. That’s you, only not so wrinkly as bacon ! As you drop those pounds, don’t forget to cheer for yourself. Give yourself a big YEE-HAA. Stay in touch and let me know how you are doing, building the new you, along with the new energy future !