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Fit Bod of the Month (from Sal's "Fit Bod of the Month" Newsletter)
In response to the endless excuses on why people are de-conditioned and overweight, I devote the last newsletter of each month to an image of a fit role model. Entitled “Fit Bod of the Month,” I post the photograph of one fit and healthy person … my definition of a “REAL” person (not to be confused with Dove’s interpretation of the word). Be ready to abandon those excuses!
February 2009
 Welcome to the 2nd "Fit Bod" edition of Sal Fichera's Health Newsletter. Just to be clear, once again, this monthly edition is not so much about aesthetics - and it's certainly not about subjectivity. It IS about the objectivity of human design, based on scientific evidence. The models selected for my newsletters (and book) are not chosen for what I perceive - or hope you find - to be physical beauty, but rather because each and every model fulfills the criteria found to be essential for living a healthy, long life. There is, after all, a direct link between physical appearance and physical health.
The criteria I'm referring to include body fat composition and tape measurements (waist-to-hip ratio and waist-relative-to-height). With over 70% of the American population being over-fat, and with the resulting increasing social acceptance of fatness, Americans are losing their perception of what actually is a healthy body. Surveys have illustrated that 45% of obese people are unaware that they are obese.
The latest studies indicate that while being physically active is critically important for good health and a long life, it's not enough to protect against disease if a person has excess body fat. It's essential to be lean and to maintain a trim waistline: moderately healthy fat ranges are 18-23% for women and 12-15% for men. A trim waistline equates to increased fertility and reduced chances for diseases.
 If we step back in time - a time when type-2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease did not afflict people below the age of 60 - we'd notice that the average person was much slimmer than today. For a sample snapshot view, take a peek at this video clip of the Beatles concert at NY's Shea Stadium in 1965: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6TIEkB4_F8&NR=1
Whether you enjoy the music or not isn't the point. In fact, mute the sound; instead of paying attention to the music, or the Beatles (or even the craziness of the fans), pay close attention to the physical appearances of the audience. Do you see obesity the way it exists today? Do you see any obesity? We each need to take responsibility for our actions - our day-to-day choices of how we eat and how much physical activity we reward our bodies ... and minds.
The sooner Americans can return to slimmer bodies, the sooner we will reduce obesity and fatness ... and all diseases associated with it, including, but not limited to: diabetes, a variety of cancers, rapid aging, increased inflammation (including arthritis), and orthopedic degeneration. We'll also reverse the ever-rapid rises in health care costs. If we don't take care of our health as individuals, we will collapse as a culture. By joining in the drive for healthier living individually, we each help our culture collectively.
 Now, for our Fit Bod of the month ....
Role model: Kenneth Taylor
Age: 36 Height: 6'1" (73")
Waist: 31.25" Hips: 37.5"
Waist-to-hip ratio: 0.83 = excellent
(Ideal measures: 0.9 for men; 0.7 for women)
Waist-relative-to-height: 73/2 = 36.5; waist is 5.25 inches less than 1/2 height = excellent
Body fat %: 8%
Weight: 176 lbs.
Garment Size: Large
Occupation: Financial consultant
Preferred Approach to Fitness: Strength training: 4 -5 times per week, 2 hours each day. Run 1 time per week, for 1 hour.
 Primary motivation: to stay healthy and in great physical condition; hates the feeling of being overweight. Working out makes him feel energized. Being at the gym is also a form of entertainment as it helps him socialize in a healthful environment.
Nutritional approach: eat 5 times per day; avoids junk food completely, Avoids greasy foods, and sugars. SAMPLE: Breakfast 7 a.m.: 4-egg white with tomato and green pepper omelet; one slice of 7-grain bread, dry; organic oatmeal; 1 cup, no sugar; and.multi-vitamin Snack 10:00 a.m. 2 servings of grapes, pear, and/or apple; 8 oz protein shake (chemical-free) with water. Lunch 12 noon or 1 p.m.: Lunch: turkey burger with swiss cheese on 7-grain w/steamed veggies. OR grilled chicken breast, brown rice and broccoli (always includes veggie). Snack 3-4 p.m.: banana, pear or nuts, drink green tea (no sugar). Dinner 6-7 p.m. when not working out, 9 pm on workout nights. Seafood (Salmon, tuna) and steamed veggies, and protein shake. Snack on fruit, or nuts. All foods are boiled, grilled, or steamed - never fried. Beverages: water, green tea, wine (1-2 glasses per day).
Sleep: 7-8 hours; 11:30 p.m.-7 a.m.
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