Keep It Moving DC
The D.C. Department of Health has embarked on an initiative to assist citizens improve their lives. The initiative has 10 basic tenets one of which is Move More. This tenet has Community Coaches from each ward who have volunteered to lead the fitness challenge, serving as role models, and encouraging residents to move more and stay motivated.
“Live Well DC!: “Makes it easier than you’d think to get healthier. Whether you live, work or play in the District, Live Well DC! Has a wealth of activities and resources to help you start-and follow- a healthier and happier lifestyle. Make a commitment to you and your family’s healthy living goals, and begin your campaign to Live Well in DC!” excerpt from MyLiveWellDC.com
The challenge and my personal experience
Accepting the challenge as ward 7 Community Coach comes on the heels of my completing my first marathon (Suntrust Nations Marathon, March 26, 2011). As a former cigarette smoker the idea of running a marathon once seemed impossible, but with desire, commitment, and motivation I quit smoking and began running. I currently commute to work by bike, swim laps regularly, and run frequently. My ultimate goal is to compete in a triathlon and finish regardless of the time.
My story is of an average guy who followed the script: as a child most of the adults in my life smoked, drank alcohol, had poor diets and rarely if ever exercised. Sadly, most of those people are not with us today and many died of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease, and other preventable illnesses. My wife, children and grandchildren are motivation for me to be as healthy as possible with the hope I can be around for them and serve as their primary role model.
Prior to quitting cigarettes my now 8 year old granddaughter and I would go to area pools to cool off. On one occasion she at age 5 asked why she and I never went “over there” pointing to the 10-12 foot depths of the pool. My answer shamefully was that Pop Pop couldn’t swim. At that point she indirectly triggered a desire in me to get her lessons. I also took a second set of lessons having never fully grasped the basics in my first class through DC Parks and Recreation. We both now swim. She competes and has mastery over the backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. I on the other hand am able to swim laps for sustained periods of 30-90 minutes and yes she can swim faster!
The health problems facing our neighbors
Statistics tell us that Wards 7 and 8 have many smokers, people who consume large amounts of fat, sugar, and salt, overweight, diabetic, hypertensive, and inactive citizens and the largest number of children under the age of 18. To further complicate matters Wards 7 and 8 have limited numbers of obstetricians, pediatricians, primary care physicians, hospitals, and wellness clinics. Additionally, fast food restaurants, corner, and liquor stores abound throughout these two wards.
The hope and solution
The good news is that health education, health initiatives, and activism can combat these issues. The challenge becomes educating the masses coupled with advocacy geared at holding community leaders, politicians, and businesses accountable to the health of our neighbors. There are many resources available for our neighbors and us to take advantage of. My effort as Community Coach uses my personal experience, my professional expertise (I am a master’s prepared nurse experienced in medical surgical, psychiatric mental health, and intellectual and developmental disability nursing whose graduate work focused on community health literacy) and my hope for better health for everyone as its motivation.
As the noted American cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead, once stated “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”
This statement motivates me as I know that Ward 7 is smaller than the world and the task of educating our neighbors versus waiting on a hero to come and save us is what I will do.
Individual Steps
First and foremost educate yourself and your neighbors on diet, exercise, and primary health care. Know what and how you should eat, how and what exercise is safe and appropriate for you, and seek primary health care that focuses on age appropriate screenings such as mammograms, Pap smears, prostrate exam and screenings, diabetic screenings, HIV status,….etc.
Exercise: begin a basic, consistent, and user friendly program that fits your life. Most people believe this has to be some grand and elaborate effort. Nothing could be further from the truth. Keep it simple. Get approval from your doctor.
Diet: limit sugar, salt and fat intake. Use resources from LiveWellDC.
Primary Health: see your doctor regularly and get age appropriate health screenings.
Join me and Keep It Moving and lets improve our lives and those of our neighbors be the change you seek. Log onto www.livewelldc.com and follow me on twitter @WinslowRuns.
Winslow Woodland, Community Coach Ward 7
Hillcrest Resident
