Don's report archive
Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)
A Fit City -- What Would That Entail?
In the January issue of Men's Fitness magazine, the editors ranked the fattest and fittest cities in the US. Philadelphia, Kansas City (MO), Houston, Indianapolis and New Orleans led the way in the fat city ranks; San Diego, Minneapolis, Seattle, Washington and San Francisco got the fit city honors. As a candidate for mayor of Tampa running on a platform of a fit, fun and free city, I did what anyone would do when reading such an article -- I checked to see where my town ranked in one or the other category. The good news is that Tampa did not end up on America's 25 fattest cities list -- big relief there. Unfortunately, it was not listed as one of the 25 fittest, either. Big disappointment there!
What IS a fit city, anyway? It is easy enough to measure how fat a city's population is at any given time, or at least to make good estimates. After all, the Office of the US Surgeon General demonstrated that data exist at the national level sufficient to support a finding that 61 percent of the entire nation is overweight! How hard could it be to measure any given city? Yet, making a judgment about how FIT a city is could be trickier. How might THAT be done? Also, since everyone seems to agree on the importance of exercise and fitness as keys to good health, why has this NOT been done by a credible authority, such as the Surgeon General's office? If it's important to know how overweight Americans are, does it not also matter how fit other Americans might be? Also, wouldn't it be interesting to know where in this country fitness rules -- and how such places came to be fit rather than fat?
What would YOU expect of a community where the mayor and/or other leaders were devoted to the idea of a fit city? What would such a city be like? What would it offer its people -- how would city leaders encourage and support citizens to become and stay fit, as long as possible? Is such a city possible?
Yes it is, in my opinion, and I plan to discuss these and related questions on the campaign trail, but why wait? I can sketch some things about the nature of a fit city right now. Not just ANY fit city. Tampa, Florida!
A fit city is one that has most if not all the following characteristics:
The mayor is a fitness enthusiast. He or she champions ideas associated with a fit community every day in dozens of different ways, and promotes fitness in all aspects of city business. The mayor is himself devoted to fitness and he leads by example.
The city is fitness friendly. Tax and other incentives are created to encourage business to promote fitness for employees. Municipal workers are supported in becoming fitter, and positive incentives are provided for all to choose initiatives leading to improved health and thus less reliance on expensive, overburdened medical facilities and services.
The people are given information they need to understand the importance of exercise and the facilities and education needed to condition their bodies regularly, safely and enjoyably.
The mayor takes direct responsibility for weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports on strategic initiatives that address the extent to which the city is becoming a fit, fun and free place to live and work. The Mayor's Strategic Initiatives (MSI) reports document current fitness levels and resources, the development of wellness indicators, the expression of citizen objectives as shaped in neighborhood forums and the setting of goals with specific timetables. These are made widely available via the Internet, press, in fitness and related facilities and other distribution outlets.
The mayor creates, chairs and supports a "Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports" modeled after the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in the nation's capitol. In a manner parallel to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Mayor's Council would serve as a catalyst to promote, encourage and motivate city residents of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports.
I'm running for mayor because I believe these kinds of initiatives for a fit, fun and free city are possible and desirable. My career has focused on promoting these values as a wellness leader--now I want to do it as mayor. I have written enough books (15) about wellness, given enough lectures (thousands) and written enough newsletters (150)--all of which appeal mainly to the already fit, that is, the choir of ardent exercise enthusiasts--the wellest of the well. Now I want to create policies that promote fitness and well being for the larger public, most of whom have NOT had the advantages and good fortune to realize the benefits of these values. I think people will welcome more support to live lives that are fun and free while being as fit as possible. The mayoral role is the best possible forum from which to advance these ideals to all the people of a community. That is why I run for mayor of Tampa on a "fit, fun and free" platform.
Each of these goals can, of course, mean just about anything to anyone, but I will be even more specific about the forms these values can take in this city. While the mayor can't MAKE anyone fit (or free or fun-friendly), and while no one should pressure others to CHOOSE a fit lifestyle, a mayor can help make a fit, fun and free city desirable -- and a little easier to attempt and manage successfully. I will try my best, daily, to create elements of a supportive environment where these qualities of community life can flourish. I seek a fit, fun and free city -- for those who WANT opportunities for such a place. I wish to make BEING fit, BEING free and HAVING fun convenient, attractive and possible. Of course, I want more. I also want a well city where people embrace personal responsibility and individual freedom, where courtesy and civility are valued and practiced, where continuing education is valued and utilized, where there are ample incentives for involvement in local government and where wellness qualities are part of all dimensions of city life.
These are a few of the ideas I have in mind for a fit city in Tampa. Tomorrow I'll provide more information as to how Tampa might be more of a fun city, as well and, the day after, I'll do the same regarding the third or "free city" element of my platform.
In the event current leaders of other cities wish to adopt and/or adapt any of these ideas, I say, "be my guest." The more fit cities, the merrier -- and the fitter the nation will become. However, under no circumstances am I going to move -- I don't want to be mayor of Philadelphia, Kansas City (MO), Houston, Indianapolis or New Orleans. I want to be mayor of Tampa!
If these ideas appeal to you but you don't live in Tampa and it's not too much to ask, please move. I need your vote. All the best, be well and always look on the bright side of life.
Domain: physicalSubdomain: exercise and fitness
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