Healthy munching
munchmobile, diet, exercise
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It's ironic that my latest update of The Star-Ledger's Biggest Loser Challenge coincides with the launch of the Munchmobile, the paper's annual celebration of overeating.
The Munchmobile, a k a the Big Dog, is a customized van topped with a huge hot dog. Each week during the summer months, reporter Pete Genovese takes a crew of half a dozen selected readers on a tour of casual dining establishments around New Jersey. On each tour, they visit half a dozen restaurants that share some common theme: It might be Italian one week, seafood another, breakfast another. At the end of the trip, each of the "Guest Munchers" is ready for gastric bypass surgery.
Last Thursday, this year's version of the Munchmobile was unveiled with great hoopla. The giant hot dog was paraded through the newsroom to the accompaniment of a local high school band, then marched up to the roof of the parking garage where it was mounted on top of the Big Dog. And all the employees were treated to a free lunch of ... you guessed it ... hot dogs!
Summer is a time when we all have healthy appetites. After all, we're spending more time outdoors, doing yard work, and, lets hope, playing harder. Jumping into the waves Down the Shore, or enjoying a good softball game or a hike in the mountains, works off calories and entitles you to a little self-indulgence, maybe a cold beer or an ice cream cone once in a while. But it's not an excuse to completely pig out.
With warm weather at hand, take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are coming into season. Visit your local farm market and enjoy the fresh locally grown produce. Get as much of the healthy stuff into your diet before you allow yourself some guilty pleasures. And take advantage of the longer days and warm weather to get outside for a walk, a run or a bike ride.
Ironically the Big Dog launch took place on the very spot where I have been conducting noontime workout sessions in the past weeks. It would be great if the Guest Munchers could join us there and work off a few of those extra meals.
Which brings me to the latest BL update: Congratulations to Leah Bennett, this week's Biggest Loser! She lost 4.2 pounds. Way to go, Leah! The cumulative weight loss is now 275 pounds.
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on 5/21/2008
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