Admittedly, I have had a lot of downtime lately, what with the holidays and all.  Work is slow, and you can only play so much Wii before pulling a muscle or five.  Consequently, yours truly has been tearing through some books at a blistering pace.  Hence the recent post on Outcasts United and today’s feature on another.  I promise not to inundate you with a discussion on every literary work that comes across my desk, but every now and then I find one that drastically changes my perspective.  A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah is just that.

Occasionally, I am consumed by an overwhelming desire to fill in my knowledge gaps.  Assuredly, there is plenty out there that I am unaware of, but omission of major topics is completely unsettling.  This is why A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldierjumped out as I scanned the book aisle at Target.  Aside from the $9.95 price (a pretty good deal methinks), my interest was peaked since I had never read a first person account of the Sierra Leone conflicts.  Aside from a Kanye West song and a documentary on diamond mining, I actually knew very little about the region and its inhabitants.

As someone who ascribes heavily to what my wife refers to as “stupid humor,” this book comes as a drastic change of pace.  Do not expect to be thoroughly amused or entertained by what Beah has to offer.  This is a gritty, uncensored, and heart wrenching view into the mind of a 12-15 year old boy enveloped by horrible circumstances.  To call such accounts “sobering” would be a massive understatement.  It is straight-up unbelievable at times.  However, I strongly feel that everyone should give it a read.

Something worth noting is the author’s style.  Initially, I was a bit critical of the unpolished and elementary arrangement.  The stream of consciousness storytelling does not appear to be well thought out or carefully edited.  Paragraphs jump around with little regard to coherence or flow.  I wondered why this fella (who obviously did not grow up speaking fluent English) did not sign on a co-author to polish things up.

But then my perspective changed.  When Beah enters the war, you will realize that there is no other way to tell the story.  Sugar coating would only decry his intent.  What this child encounters is unimaginable, and the only way to truly experience all of it is through his eyes and his words.  So, if you decide to give this book a chance, I ask that you stick with it through the first 100 pages.

Ultimately, this is a story of hope and overcoming unquestionable odds.  There is a positive light to celebrate, but at the same time, you want to cry for the thousands of children who were less fortunate.  After reading A Long Way Gone, you will start to pay attention when the world news mentions warring African Nations.  Why?  Because Ishmael Beah has provided a personal connection to what is really happening.  And this is why I mention his book on DoGoodedness.  A big part of helping a cause and doing good around the world is believing in change; understanding the bad and fighting for what is right.  Through his memoirs, the author has opened the eyes of millions.

If you want people to take up your flag and make a positive impact, then give them a first hand account.  Put a face and a story on your mission statement, because then it is personal.  This, my friend, is why you want to call up Sarah McLachlan and adopt all the abused animals they show on the Humane Society commercials.

Give your audience a connection, and they will believe.

DoGood, and have a Happy New Year!

chappy

Please feel free to email me with comments, suggestions, or whatever: Matt@DoGoodedness.com.

You might call me an animal lover, or at the very least a pet lover. Some may cite my affinity for barbeque as a violation of the former, but I do appreciate the pig and thank it for being delicious.  I am the kind of person that goes to a house party and ends up playing with the cat…

Throughout the years, we Chapmans have taken in a variety of dogs, cats, ducks, geese, and horses.  Some have been great, others not so much, but they have been family just the same.

It was certainly keeping with tradition to adopt a few of my own once I moved out.  You can see the pair pictured above.  The dog is Lucy.  She was separated from her mother as a puppy and wound up in the garage of our friends.  Her lineage is a mystery, but we enjoy guessing.  The smaller one is Artimus (named after the Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer), a Humane Society kitten. He is the coolest.  Until the human versions arrive, Allison and I refer to these two as our “furry children.”

I woke up this morning to a news story featuring Birmingham’s branch of The Emergency Animal Rescue (TEARS) and their current dire straits.  The organization is in desperate need of food for cats, dogs, horses, and a host of other oddball pets (goats, pigs, mules, etc.) that have been abandoned or abused.  If you are not familiar with TEARS, they are much like the Humane Society, but work closer with special cases.

This was a timely reminder for a topic I wanted to explore here at DoGoodedness – animal adoption.  If you are in the market for a new pet, please consider going to your local Humane Society first before looking at pet stores and breeders.  Admittedly, I have owned both pedigrees and mixes over the years.  The expensive ones have been just as loveable as those that were picked up from a shelter (in several cases – dumber and more injury prone).  The fact of the matter is that the animal from a breeder won’t be put to sleep after a few weeks, but the ones at the Humane Society will if someone doesn’t adopt them.  Save money and a furry life. Win-win!  If you want more reasons, give this a read.

Unless you plan on becoming a breeder, let me also suggest that you get your animals fixed.  To quote Bob Barker, a passionate animal rights activist, and his signature signoff “Help control the pet population.  Have your pets spayed or neutered.”  It may seem like an unnecessary expense up front, but you will thank me later.  Let it also be noted that most animals up for adoption at the Humane Society have already undergone this procedure.

Now, I certainly will not cast stones if you choose to pay for a purebred animal.  These will eventually need good homes as well.  All I ask is that you consider a rescue one as well.

Look at this face and tell it no!

All the best to you and yours.

DoGood!

matt

Please email me with any feedback, suggestions, criticism, or comments: Matt@DoGoodedness.com

Can't Sleep?

Like many optimistic young professionals, I am constantly inundated with management parables.  Books, articles, and training seminars offer up more business advice than anyone could ever implement.  Most of this information has been logged away in the unreachable caverns of my brain, but a few thoughts have settled in to practical use.

One of my favorite references is the book “Rules of Thumb” by Alan M. Webber.  Instead of prosthelytizing the certain truths of Leadership, he dictates interactions with successful people and the traits that inherently drive them to greatness.  One of Webber’s favorite interview questions from his years of reporting is “What keeps you up at night?” because that unsettling feeling is the impetus to wake up in the morning and make things happen.

I love this, because a truthful answer will basically sum up what drives an individual.  It is the essence of what makes you tick.  This will tell you so much about someone: who they are under the surface and what kind of person they really are.

So why would this apply to what we are working towards here at DoGoodedness?  The answer is simple: We want to know what you care about.  Beyond work and family, what causes and issues occupy your thoughts? Take a minute and answer honestly: What keeps YOU up at night?  Note: “nothing” is a crappy answer.  Write these things down.  If you really want to affect change, this is where you will find your calling.

The things that keep me up at night: Illiteracy, the homeless population, providing a wonderful world for my kids (hypothetical children, of course – little Chappys are in the distant future), and being a better person.

Of the many reasons you can find to get involved, it is great to list one of them as “this really matters to me.”  With such motivation, it is much easier to stay committed.  The early mornings, late nights, sweat, tears, and money you sacrifice will be well worth it.  Believing in what you do makes your work special.

Please email me (matt@DoGoodedness.com) with what keeps you up at night.  Let me know how you want to challenge the status quo and make a positive impact on the world.  I will be delighted to help you get plugged in or start your own initiative.

DoGood!

matt

photo by stephmcg via flickr

As we are quickly approaching the Holiday season, I wanted to dedicate a short post to the Toys for Tots campaign that is currently wrapping up.  Undoubtedly, you have heard of this wonderful initiative, and probably even dropped off a toy.  Here is why your donation matters.

Humor me for a second and recall some of your favorite Christmas memories.  I’ll be honest: as a child, most of mine were related to Santa’s deliveries.  It is laughable now, but I can remember being so excited on Christmas Eve night that I could barely sleep.  I tossed and turned as visions of Eric Clapton (I was hoping for a Fender Stratocaster that year) danced in my head.

I say all this because there are plenty of children out there who do not have such memories.  While other youths are enjoying the holiday, others are only experiencing disappointment and a reminder of tough times.  This is where Toys for Tots makes such a big difference.

Major Bill Hendricks established the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in 1947.  To this day, the organization maintains a close relationship with the “Leathernecks” and employs them every year to collect and distribute gifts.

The goal is to deliver a message of hope, which will assist in building self-esteem and, in turn, motivate less fortunate children to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.  A shiny new toy is the best means of accomplishing this goal.

Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than 400 million toys to 188 million needy children.  Toys collected in your town go to individuals who live in the area.  So crack a smile and know that you have brightened the day of a child just down the road.

If you haven’t dropped off a gift, the last day is today, so find a drop off location and make it happen.  Visit this site for details.  On their home page, you will also find other ways to support Toys for Tots, including their Literacy Program or their Papa Johns offer.

Those with children will appreciate this opportunity to teach your kids the true meaning of Christmas.  This years hottest toys will eventually be collecting dust, but the spirit of giving can last a lifetime.  Spread the love, joy, and DoGoodedness!

Happy Holidays!

chappy

I spent much of my day today at Auburn University visiting with their Engineering Staff and hearing about some research on alternative fuels.  It was a great chance to see what technology is coming down the pipeline.  During his presentation, one of my former professors was venturing onto the topic of sustainability when he threw out the term “Greenwashing.”  I had a pretty good guess at what he was referring to.   A quick Google search confirmed my suspicions.

For a while, I have been trying to think of an expression for this exact concept, and now I had it.  If you notice the previous titles to your right, you see that I must keep my article names succinct (or else they jumble up the spacing), and my creative allusion to Kermit the Frog was not going to fit on one line.

Greenwashing, as defined by Wikipedia, “is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly.”  Or as I like to call it, “color fraud.”  The Susan G. Komen Foundation is familiar very familiar with this concept.

You might recall the thousands of pink ribbon adorned objects for sale in October, where many of them do absolutely nothing for the battle against Breast Cancer.  Greenwashing serves to similarly draw on the heartstrings of consumers and fool them into endorsing companies that do little or nothing for the environment.

As everyone is aware, being green is all the rage these days.  The problem, as with any marketing fad, is discerning who is for serious and who simply changed their color scheme. The challenge is being an informed consumer.  Take time to look at the facts.

Surrounding a product with healthy vegetation in a TV commercial does not make it beneficial for the environment.  A large SUV atop a mountain is no more in tune with nature than one that is inching through rush hour traffic.  Don’t be fooled by creative packaging and pretty pictures.

If you are employed at an organization that throws around the “Green” concept liberally, then hold your company responsible.  If the proof is not apparent, then ask your boss what is being done to support the image that is being purveyed.  I have run into this façade, as has my wife at in her job.  When all is said and done, is your business jumping on the promotional bandwagon, or are they really making an effort?

One of my goals from the outset of this site was to focus on being “Environmentally Conscious” and avoid any associations with the previously mentioned term.  This is partly in an attempt to dissociate from this growing trend and additionally to remove any ambiguity.  Our goal here at DoGoodedness is to provide reasonable and effective means of lessoning your environmental impact.

All being said, I am not here to rip someone a new one for changing the background on their website or redesigning their literature to look more more natural, but being “green” is simple.  We should hold ourselves to higher standards, and question the intentions of those who wear a false altruism.  Finding a new term wouldn’t hurt either…

Just keep Doing Good, and the world will be a better place for it!

Thanks,

Matt Chapman (or Chappy if we’re cool)

Lick it Up!

Now, I know this is hardly the most revolutionary or groundbreaking topic, but it seems to be one of the most commonly ignored medical directives.  Drinking the recommended amount of water each day seems like a no brainer, yet studies show that 75% of Americans are “chronically dehydrated.”  How much should you have each day?  What are the benefits, you ask?  Keep reading.  If you don’t, my mother will give you a lecture, and nobody wants that.

A Big Part of Your Makeup

An adult human body is comprised of 60-70% H2O.  It is an integral part of your blood, muscles, lungs, and brain.  Water transports oxygen to cells, removes waste, regulates body temperature, and distributes nutrients, in addition to providing protection for joints and organs.  Without the proper levels of this vital molecule, your body will shut down.

How Much?

Let it be noted that I didn’t come up with is, but here is a great way to figure up a healthy amount of water.  Notice it has nothing to do with “glasses” because that is a silly and ambiguous method of measuring things.  Thanks to nutrition.com for the following:

A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.

Health Benefits

Would you like to enhance fat loss, stave off ailments, feel less hungry, and look younger?  You could make a whole lot of easy payments of $19.95, or you could just drink more water.  Your body uses it to haul away the byproducts of fat breakdown.  Back pain, fatigue, headaches, and muscle spasms can mostly be prevented through proper hydration.  Believe it or not: water is an appetite suppressant, while also keeping toxins flushed out of your skin.

Over the years, I began to notice a trend.  If I went to mom feeling sluggish, disoriented, or nursing a headache, she would inevitably question my water intake for the day.  She is not a doctor, but nine times out of ten the woman is right on this one.  Now, (to her certain irritation) my wife is the recipient of this diagnosis whenever she complains of such symptoms.

How Do You Know if You Are Dehydrated?

Let’s be real for a moment.  What color was your pee last time you visited the John?  No worries, I won’t tell anybody.  If it was clear, or a wee (get it?) bit yellow, then you are properly hydrated.  If not, then bottoms up!  You have some drinking to do.  Some other sure-fire signs of dehydration: thirst (there’s a shocker, but truthfully, you are dehydrated long before then), chronic pains in joints and muscles, constipation, and headaches.

In closing; if you plan on making “high quality H2O” part of the daily routine, get yourself a re-usable bottle and fill from the tap (filter if necessary).  Not only is it expensive to buy the stuff in plastic bottles, but doing so produces a lot of waste.  At the very least, please recycle your plastic!

DoGood!

Chappy

Email me: Matt@DoGoodedness.com with questions, suggestions, or thoughts!

photo by Darwin Bell via Flickr

In September, I had the pleasure of hearing author Warren St. John speak at our United Way Campaign Kickoff luncheon.  St. John, a Birmingham native and writer for the New York Times, has garnered recognition in recent years for his first book Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, which entertainingly details the devoted followers of Alabama football.  Based on his first work, I was initially confused as to why the United Way of Central Alabama had plucked him as their keynote speaker, but a table of fresh books at the door signaled that there was a new project to discuss.

Well, I really enjoyed what Warren had to say, and was quite interested in the premise of his new book, Outcasts United.  After a few months, my queue of books cycled through and I was ready to give it shot.  I literally finished it thirty minutes ago, and feel quite strongly that it is a story worth sharing.  At the very least, give the synopsis a read.

Rather than stumble my way through a summary, here is how Warren St. John describes his documentary styled non-fiction:

Outcasts United is the story of a refugee soccer team, a remarkable woman coach and a small southern town turned upside down by the process of refugee resettlement.

In the 1990s, that town, Clarkston, Georgia, became a resettlement center for refugees and a modern-day Ellis Island for scores of families from war zones in Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan. The town also became home to Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman who founded a youth soccer team to help keep Clarkston’s boys off the streets. These boys named themselves the Fugees — short for refugees.  Outcasts United follows a pivotal season in the life of the Fugees, their families and their charismatic coach as they struggle to build new lives in a fading town overwhelmed by change. Theirs is a story about resilience in the face of extraordinary hardship, the power of one person to make a difference and the daunting challenge of creating community in a place where people seem to have so little in common.

This really appealed to me for two reasons.  First of all, I am a soccer fan.  I grew up playing the sport, I pay for those extra channels on Directv, and I’m one of those snobby a-holes who occasionally refers to it as “real football.”  As someone who participated in youth soccer (for a team that is actually mentioned in the book), I certainly appreciate the game and the overwhelming team aspect it promotes.

Secondly, I love the no-frills approach that St. John takes in his writing.  This book is not a fairy tale.  The protagonists and antagonists are people like you and me – fully relatable.  As real life tends to be, the story of these refugees is, more often than not, filled with roadblocks and hardships.  Some of the kids make it.  Others do not.  However, the beauty lies within this inconsequential social experiment: the quintessential, and quite literal, embodiment of our American melting pot.

Everyone serves to learn from the self-sacrifice of Luma (the coach).  We can decry the residents of “Old Clarkston” who must cope with dramatic change in their small town, all the while wondering what we would do.  Lastly, these boys show the world how to embrace diversity and thrive upon it.  With sometimes-unbelievable upbringings, these teenagers from varied nations, religious backgrounds, and languages, work together to make something beautiful.  How can you not love this story?

If you would like to find out more, please visit the web page for Outcasts United.  Additionally, you can help refugee families by making a donation to FugeesFamily.org.

DoGood!

Matt “Chappy” Chapman

Not Your Typical Commute

My love affair with the automobile began rather early in life.  I don’t know if it was the go-kart or Bigfoot Power Wheels, but somehow my right foot became directly linked with a feeling of bliss.  As the son and grandson of stock car racers, I felt that my destiny would eventually lead to the field of motor sports.

Moving on to Auburn University, my interest and a pursuit for a Mechanical Engineering degree led to involvement with the Solar Car Project.  This turned out to be a tremendous undertaking, consuming two solid years, $200,000, and a team of about twenty students to pull off.  Our preverbal light at the end of the tunnel was the North American Solar Challenge; a race taking us across 2,500 miles, eight states, and three Canadian Provinces over the course of ten days.

This experience completely changed my perspective on the modern automobile.  As one of our three drivers, I learned (sometimes reluctantly) how to drive conservatively, to save as much energy as possible.  Although this felt rather Un-American, the concept made a lot more sense than the lead-footed approach I was so accustomed to.

Nowadays, when I hear about a two-passenger car having 400+ Horsepower (a la 2010 Camaro), my first question is “why is that necessary?”  Most daily commutes are a far cry from the Daytona 500.  Our project vehicle could easily run highway speeds with an 11 HP electric motor, by the way…If you can safely and speedily accomplish your daily driving with much less, then why do we indulge in the excess?

Rest assured, I am not here to sell you a solar-powered car (this concept isn’t commercially viable), but I do want to speak to the ideas of fuel conservation and reducing emissions.

If you look at countries that are already dealing with high gas prices and increased congestion, you will notice some obvious differences in the vehicle market.  Ford, an American staple, recently released a 65mpg (diesel) compact in Europe that may never see the light of day on our side of the pond.  What does this say about us as a country?  Are we so obsessed with mechanical muscle and third-row seating that we aren’t even being considered as a marketable audience?

I think most can agree that we will have to adopt some new technologies in order to meet higher emissions standards and combat petroleum dependence.  Below are some existing technologies that could offer viable alternatives for today, tomorrow, and ten years from now.

The Hybrid

I remember when the first Prius came on the market eight years ago.  It was ugly, small, and exuding as much masculinity as a man purse (or satchel, if you will).  The argument I heard repeatedly was “It would take too many years to pay back the cost difference in gas savings.”  Well people, the year is almost 2010; gasoline prices are increasingly volatile, and the sticker for a Prius is about $22 Grand.  Now what do you think?

2010 Prius

By the numbers, here is what we are talking about.  First of all, the Prius has a 51mpg rating in the city and 48mpg highway.  How does it accomplish this?  There are two main things that contribute to such exceptional stop-and-go longevity: the electric motor and regenitive braking.  By virtue of being a hybrid, this vehicle can operate completely under power of the electric motor or assist it with the gasoline engine.  Under 15 mph, the Prius does not use the internal combustion engine – thus the off-the-charts city rating.

Another plus with this hybrid arrangement is regenetive braking.  Essentially, the car reverses its electric motor (turning it into a generator) to slow the car down, which serves to return some of the energy back to the batteries.  Our solar car had this technology on board, and it really came in handy for stop-and-go driving.

Now, let me reiterate that the Prius is not the only Hybrid on the market, but it is currently head and shoulders above others in the US.  Most major automakers are now adding this option on several of their popular models.  Buying a hybrid version of larger vehicles will certainly increase their fuel mileage, but bumping up your Lexus to that technology will cost a chunk.

Electric Vehicles

The electric vehicle, or EV is making headway as a viable alternative, but it will be a while before the common man (or woman) can justify such an investment.  As you may have heard,  the highly publicized release of the Chevy Volt will be taking place in 2011.  Although touted as the savior of GM and American oil dependency, the limited initial production will probably keep them out of your reach for a while.  Additionally, the $40,000 price tag may be a little steep for most consumers.

2011 Chevy Volt

The general concept of the Volt is to operate on electric charge (about 8 hours) until the 40 mile capacity, and then will use a gasoline engine to take you up to a 300 mile range.  For those who rely on their vehicle for extended commutes, this car is not even close to being practical yet.  The technology is out there, but it will be years before this will catch on.  It is also worth noting that the grid system will need to be beefed up if we are all charging our cars every night.

CNG

Due to our stake in the natural gas industry, my company has recently invested in several CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) powered Honda Civics.  This technology has been around for a while, and this is not our first foray into a CNG fleet, but significant strides in recent years have brought it back into the conversation.  First of all, natural gas is plentiful and cheap.  Additionally, the US has enough locally to be self-sufficient, thus avoiding dependency on other countries.

With regards to emissions, CNG vehicles produce much less than the gasoline equivalent.  For example, the regular civic (1.8 Liter Engine) produces about 6.3 tons of CO2 per year (15,000 miles/yr), while the natural gas version is rated at 3.6 tons CO2.

What about the cost?  While the CNG outfit will raise the price tag slightly, the estimated fuel costs will save nearly $500 per year.  However, most sections of the country do not currently have the infrastructure to support such vehicles.  Natural gas filling stations are few and far between, but are growing steadily.  If you are willing to make the large initial investment, there are in-home compressors that can be hooked up to your existing gas line.  They typically take a solid overnight (8 Hour) cycle to completely fill the vehicle.  People tell me they are also quite noisy.

Diesel

Undoubtedly, we are no strangers to the diesel powered car.  Currently, these are much more popular in Europe, as evidenced by the previously mentioned Ford compact. Diesel is no longer just the smelly, clunky fuel for 18-wheelers.  Some of the most efficient cars on the road are now turbo-diesels, and for good reason.

Hydrogen Internal Combustion

What about Hydrogen-power you say?  The technology works, but as long as people still remember the Hindenburg, I wouldn’t bank on this being widespread.  The emissions are much lower for this fuel.  However, the H2 has to be manufactured somewhere.  Implementing an infrastructure and manufacturing for this would also be quite the undertaking.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

This one is definitely one of the coolest methods of producing power, but it is currently way too expensive and inefficient to be taken seriously.  The basic concept is to break down hydrogen, draw oxygen from the air, and put these through a proton exchange membrane, thus creating electricity.  The byproduct of this reaction is water, making the overall emissions much lower than an internal combustion engine.

Ethanol

Fun fact: in the US, you must obtain a permit before making your own ethanol, because the fermentation very closely mirrors that of moonshinin’ (in the south, there is no “g”).  It is one step in the process away from being ingestible Pure Grain Alcohol.  Chances are, your car is already running off of a small amount ethanol, as the government mandates that your gasoline contain some.  Benefit: it doesn’t come from the Middle East, burns a little bit cleaner than petroleum based products, and it already works in most new cars.  Downside: unless you are using a very sugar rich plant in the distillation process (sugar cane, sugar beets), then the amount needed to make fuel is a bit gaudy.  Using corn for this, frankly, is quite inefficient.

And there you have my take on where are automotive options are headed.  Please feel free to comment or send me any questions you have: Matt@DoGoodedness.com!

Thanks,

Matt

Get Up and Get Moving!

If you haven’t seen Wall-E, then I highly recommend doing so.  It is a great movie.  Expecting a simple kid-targeted movie and some borrowed humor from Short Circuit, I was pleasantly surprised to see the environmental and cultural messages that were woven into the storyline.

One very poignant theme is the ever-expanding waistline of our society.  Although set in a distant future, the concept of automating our entire existence hits home.  You have to wonder where the balance is between convenience and laziness.  So much is now done for us that we literally have to make time in the day to do for ourselves via exercise.  Otherwise, our fatty diets will start packing on the pounds.  Does this seem de-evolutionary to anybody else?

So what can you do to stay active?  It certainly does not make a whole lot of sense to purposefully make life more difficult for oneself (or does it?).  After all, we invented the internal combustion engine and electricity for a reason.

Like most Americans, I typically spend most of my 40 hours a week in a seated position, staring at a computer screen.  It takes a mental reminder or a bathroom break just to get out of my super-comfy, fully adjustable chair.

As an aging 26-year-old (sarcasm), I require this special chair to ease my back problems.  Ironically enough, these issues are largely due to weak lower-back muscles that result from sitting all day.  It seems that, unless I sign up for a job requiring physical labor, I’ll be stuck in this routine for most of my professional career.  Frankly, I am ready to make a change in my daily habits, to improve my mood and prevent the looming gut expansion.  Here’s what I plan to do.  Feel free to join me!

First of all, the key is to get up and move around every hour or so.  Studies show that if you sit stationary for too long, your metabolism actually starts to shut down.

Take the Stairs

I already do this at least once a day, but I am making it mandatory from now on.  Even though I sit on the eighth floor of my building, the trip up is not really that bad now that I am used to it.  If you think that there are too many floors for this to be feasible, start by doing a few flights and work your way up.  Every couple hours, bust into the stairwell and spend a minute or two climbing just to get blood back into the legs.    

Bring Along a Friend

As goofy as this may sound, I am toting some weights (ie kettlebell or dumbbells) to the office.  Walking around my floor gets the blood pumping every once in a while, but having something to work my upper half would really help.  Every couple of hours, I am setting an alarm to do a few exercises and utilize more than just my fingers.

Working the arms and back will help firm up the muscles that are slowly deteriorating over the course of the day.  This will help prevent injury when you get home and start moving again.

Get Out for Lunch

If you spend 8 hours a day sitting down, then why should you do the same for your lunch break?  I know that sometimes, there is too much going on to escape, but try to get out and enjoy a walk if you have the time.  Going out to lunch?  Try to pick a place that you can reach on foot or via bike.  If you bring in food and eat at your desk, then spend a few minutes walking around the block.

Leave the Car at Home

Whenever possible, I am walking or riding my bike instead of taking my car.  Admittedly, I drive a vehicle that does not get very good gas mileage.  It pains me to move 4,000 extra pounds down the road just to get my skinny butt to point B.  Additionally, these activities fall into the “getting exercise without really knowing it” category.  You can easily ride at a comfortable speed without killing yourself, all the while still doing good for your body.  Studies show that replacing the car ride with exercise boosts your mood and energy level.  Additionally, daily physical activity has been proven to not only treat, but prevent depression and anxiety.

Be Active at Home

After a solid day of sitting around, the last thing you want to do is plop down on the couch.  At the very least, dedicate thirty minutes or so to something that will get your heart rate up.  I know that some days you will come home feeling exhausted, but some solid cardio will wake your body back up.  If you still have work, reading, or TV watching to do, try standing up or sitting on an ab ball.

On the other end of the equation, you can make it easier on yourself and reduce the number of calories to burn.

Eat Better

Rarely is there a meeting around my office that doesn’t include an abundance of fatty foods.  Donuts are pretty much standard for any gathering before 9am, and most of my coworkers show the effects of such indulgence.  I occasionally partake in a free lunch or two, but it is much more difficult to practice portion control when everything is laid out buffet style.  To combat this and curb my appetite, I will be keeping a stash of fruit, vegetables, and healthy foods around for regular snacks.  The longer I go between meals, the bigger my eyes get when the caterer shows up, so these will abate that craving.

Let me emphasize that diet alone will not keep you safe from health problems.  Your body requires exercise each day in order to run properly.  There is a reason that Jared walked to and from Subway during his effort to lose weight.

And Lastly….

Do Things the Old Fashioned Way

Maybe this thought seems counter-intuitive, but humor me for a second.

In the scant years since I was a child, I have started to notice a big difference in the way that people operate.  We have become so technology-centric (video games, internet, HD TV’s) that we are missing out the simple joys of being healthy and active.  Sure, I love the access to information and the entertainment value of Thursday night programming, but it is nice to get out of the house and enjoy our surroundings.  Play with your dog, play with your kids, or simply walk around the neighborhood and talk to people.

Every once in a while, it will do you some good to turn everything off and get outside.

DoGood!

Matt

Email your thoughts, suggestions, and comments to Matt@DoGoodedness.com.

Photo by JoshSemans via Flickr  

If you are an avid viewer of ESPN, and I admittedly am, you might have noticed that it is Jimmy V week.  Some of the more sport-savvy folks out there may know who Jimmy V is, but I’ll give you a quick bio.

Jim Valvano was a legendary basketball coach, player, and analyst who died in 1993 of bone cancer.  Aside from his jubilant run around the court after his NC State Wolfpack team won the 1983 NCAA championship, he is best remembered for an impassioned and heartfelt speech that he gave at the ESPY awards just months before his death.  If you have never seen the video of this, then please take the time to watch it above.

In a partnership with ESPN, Valvano started the Jimmy V Foundation (now known as the “V Foundation”) to fund cancer research and education.  Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $90 Million dollars to fight this horrible disease.

Chances are you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.  One of my first memories as a child is losing my 48-year-old Grandfather to it.  According to statistical data, one out of every two men and one out of every three women will get cancer in their lifetime.  Those are pretty shocking odds.  So what can we do about it?

The V Foundation proudly operates under Jimmy’s motto “Don’t Give Up…Don’t Ever Give Up!”  Their drive for battling cancer reflects this sentiment.  I am particularly fond of this organization because they are quite aggressive in their funding of research; intently focused on finding a cure.  The V Foundation has a very strong presence within the scientific community.   They happily give “100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net event proceeds to cancer research and related programs.”  The non-profit has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the 7^th consecutive year.  This ranks them in the top 2% of all charities evaluated, and ensures that all money raised is utilized to the fullest.

If you would like to donate to the V Foundation, please visit their donation page.  In the event that you would like to hold a fundraiser, there are avenues for that as well.  Also, be sure to catch the special programming that ESPN will feature this week in honor the charismatic Valvano and his inspirational spirit.

DoGood!

Matt

Please feel free to email me with comments or suggestions at matt@DoGoodedness.com!