Just another rant
I heard on the radio again how Americans suffer greatly from problems associated with obesity. I think it really is no wonder that this is true when there are so few options available to young adults for physical activity in a social setting. For example, Brooklynne and I checked into joining a gym the other day and it cost $400 just to initiate a membership. I also called about joining an adult soccer league in Manassas. The director of the sports association I called informed me that I was too old for the U-19 league (duh) and too young for the over-30 league. So, there are no outdoor soccer leagues in this area for people between 19 and 30, the years when metabolisms are slowing down, patterns of living are being established, etc. In the spring Brooklynne and I drove to a park where we thought we would like to do some hiking and we couldn't go in because we didn't bring money for an entry fee. My point is that we can find stuff to do to stay active, but how much more impact would it have on American public health if physical activity were built into the culture more--if we had options that were outlets for both physical and social energies and where money was not an issue?
Just stumbled across your page, found via your rsvp on the Emergent Cohort page. Hubby and I attended a meeting a few months back, but the kids have made it hard to attend. Have you checked into getting a membership at a local Y? ours cost $69 a month for a family and we joined when the startup membership fee was half price(under $100). It's still a good chunk of money for our budget but it's been worth it for our fitness and the kids enjoyment. But I completely agree with you, we wanted to get into shape and join a gym and finally bit the bullet and shelled out the money but it's definitely costly to stay in shape! Not to mention eating healthy foods is so much more expensive than vegging out on pasta all the time! ;-)
Thanks for the tip, Amy, and I enjoyed reading your site as well. I'm glad to know a few strangers wander by from time to time. I hope we see you at some of the Balt. meetings in the future.