| Mr. Carlos Albury, Personal Training Manger | | | | A. As far as fitness is concerned, it is |
| of Bally Fitness in Sandyport, is a man with | | | | never "too little" or "too late". Our clients |
| a plan. His plan is to educate - or rather | | | | at Bally range in age from 15 to 65 plus. |
| re-educate - the Bahamian mentality ar-ound | | | | People must also understand that there is no |
| the concept of fitness. He explained that | | | | such thing as a "quick fix" when it comes to |
| being obese or grossly overweight is a | | | | achieving optimal fitness. It's a gradual |
| disease, the origins of which may be found in | | | | process. |
| our family history and also the ways in which | | | | |
| we have traditionally regarded and consumed | | | | It is also an incremental process, which |
| food. | | | | means that you set small, realistic goals |
| | | | and, little by little, increase the |
| Mr. Albury also mentioned that in the | | | | challenges. |
| Bahamian context perhaps the biggest problem | | | | |
| is not actually losing the weight or getting | | | | Q. One does not have to be a rocket scientist |
| in shape but rather changing or re-educating | | | | to understand that obesity is a serious |
| the mindset of the Bahamian people. We are a | | | | health problem. To overcome the problem and |
| nation of people who prefer to "go along with | | | | keep one's weight within normal boundaries |
| the program" or status quo rather than | | | | requires a concerted effort that includes not |
| undergo the more difficult challenge of | | | | only token exercise, but re-education about |
| change - and sticking with this, come what | | | | food and food choices and so forth? Am I |
| may. | | | | right? Are most of your Bahamian clients |
| | | | aware that it will take more than a slow walk |
| Below are only some of the many excellent | | | | around the block, for example, to combat |
| guidelines around walking as a fitness | | | | their problem? |
| exercise. | | | | |
| | | | A. Absolutely. As a nation, we have changed |
| Q. I must tell you, Mr. Albury, that I | | | | in the past 50 or 60 years. In times past, |
| decided to phone Bally first and foremost | | | | parents had to fight to bring their children |
| because I understand it is one of the | | | | inside after dark. Why? They were outside |
| nation's premier fitness centers. Judging | | | | running around, burning up calories and |
| from your positive response to my request, | | | | staying fit and healthy. Fifty years ago we |
| you must work for a fantastic organization. | | | | ate simple nourishing foods that we prepared |
| Am I correct? | | | | and cooked. Packaged foods with |
| | | | preservatives, lots of sugar, salt and trans |
| A. Bally has just celebrated its 3rd | | | | fats were non-existent. Today we have become |
| anniversary. You probably know that we are a | | | | a nation of couch potatoes and our children |
| US franchise and that we also insist upon | | | | are now video game junkies. Parents and |
| very high standards. Above all we wish to | | | | schools have difficulty getting them to go |
| impress upon the public the idea that fitness | | | | outside in the fresh air to take exercise |
| is not something you take up for a while and | | | | these days. |
| stop should boredom set in. Rather, fitness | | | | |
| is a lifestyle change. As a teaching | | | | Q. Speaking of walking, suppose an individual |
| facility, Bally stresses fitness as a | | | | would like to address his or her weight |
| positive healthy lifestyle. | | | | problem by walking, what kind of walking |
| | | | regime would you recommend they undertake |
| Q. Looking around us on the streets of New | | | | perhaps before they even sign up for |
| Providence, one cannot help but notice the | | | | professional help at a gym? |
| high numbers of individuals clearly impacted | | | | |
| by obesity. Would you agree? | | | | A. I think that our Bahamian people need to |
| | | | understand the importance of undergoing a |
| A. Absolutely. And clearly obesity does not | | | | proper medical assessment by a doctor or a |
| discriminate by age or gender. Sadly there | | | | licensed physical trainer before commencing |
| are as many obese children and adolescents as | | | | any type of physical fitness training. Only |
| there are adults, both male and female. | | | | after such an assessment can the client be |
| | | | sure that he or she is in fact able to |
| Q. At the same time, one also notices that | | | | withstand the stresses of such a training |
| there has been an influx of persons walking | | | | program. It is also a good idea to be clear |
| for exercise in parks and on beaches and | | | | as to what your goals are: Are you training |
| signing up at local gyms. By the time, | | | | for a marathon? Do you wish to lose weight |
| however, that such persons decide to do | | | | and keep it off? Do you wish to promote that |
| something positive about their condition, | | | | overall feeling of well-being? |
| they are already grossly overweight. In your | | | | |
| opinion, is this another example of "too | | | | Q. What kind of clothing or gear would you |
| little, too late"? | | | | recommend? |
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