We also need to keep that you're more likely to be obese if you work in a cubical all day. Richmond is home to many corporations and the majority of us are cube dwellers.

On another note, I would like to see information on sprint training vs. 1 pace running and exercising while helping the community. The Richmond SPCA has a great running program where you can run the dogs in an organized group. I would like to see what other kind of opportunities are out there.

Dear HBS,

Thanks for your comments and I appreciate your interest. However, I wanted to clear something up about what I meant by "diet tricks." I do not mean tricks as in the latest diet craze that tells you to leave out carbs or as you said, only eat grapefruit.

I meant, and perhaps should have clarified, alternative foods to help improve your "natural" diet. For example, substituting red pepper flakes for salt when trying to add flavor to your food. Or instead of indulging in white pasta, try using wheat, or better yet, buckwheat pasta.

I also wanted to clarify that "Shapin' Up!" will not be about loosing as many pounds as possible. That statement was to play on the "classic" New Years resolution that so many people make.

The point of the column is to give Richmonders a new way of thinking about getting healthy. Or give them exercise tips to do at home or say, in the park if they cannot get to the gym or do not have the monetary means for a membership.

I obviously do not have all the answers, which is why I will be speaking with local nutritionist, dieticians, trainers and instructors such as yourself (even specifically on the importance and benefits of the classes you teach). This was merely an introductory column to generate discussion, support, interest, questions and most importantly, motivation.

Again, I thank you very much for your comments!

-Stephanie Brummell

Congratulations on your new healthy lifestyle! However, in response to your rude and curt comment, I feel the need to let you know (and clear my conscience) that I'm a certified Pilates instructor and care very much about my health and well being. My comment was very accurate and if you speak to a nutritionist/personal trainer/etc./etc. then you will find my commentary to be true. I am COMPLETELY devoted to people being more healthy and "changing" for the better. What I am 100% against is promoting fad diets, "diet tricks," or simply loosing as many lbs as possible (i.e. eating disorders). Being that you are on the way to a more healthy lifestyle you should know these things. Did you really read my post? I'm not sure why you think I'm angry or why you felt compelled to condemn someone who pointed out that being healthy doesn't just mean doing 30 minutes of cardio a day. Being physically healthy is a combination of eating right and exercise (cardio, strength training, and stretching) which leads to a decrease in body fat percentage. Being physically healthy ISN'T loosing as many lbs as possible. Sorry if you disagree.

This might be of interest too.
Richmond BizSense has a story on their website about how new health clubs continue to open in Richmond, catering to an increasingly fragmented health/sports market.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/big-biz/13-big-biz/289-pumping-up-the-growth.html

I think you guys/gals making these comments are probably the ones this column is targeting. Having lost 40 pounds a few years I used to be like that -- angry at nothing, making remarks at people trying to change me. Why don't you all shut up and see what this column has to offer down the road? And blaming the fat kids? It starts with the parents people. Meanwhile, go for a walk tonight instead of watching TV and then eat some broccoli instead of french fries.

Look, all this is nice but the problem is fat kids, not so much adults who can go to the gym. So many kids today are fat, they'd rather sit at home, play video games and eat crap food instead of going outside. 20 years ago we went outside and did stuff, our parents told us to stay outside. Now parents seem to be fine with their kids looking like blimps, especially minorities. Why is it black kids seem to always be fatter than all the other kids? Not to be racist but it's the plain truth. You want to make a difference then get in the schools and teach the kids about obesity and how it leads to problems, get the parents to throw away these stupid video games. We've become a lazy country and it's sad.

Do we have to include "diet tricks". Are you going to tell us to eat a grapefruit for breakfast to burn 2000 calories? Drink water mixed with honey, lemon juice, and chili pepper, perhaps?

"30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to spur significant weight loss". Um, don't ya think that's a bit vague? Challenging individual "accepted advice", one advice at a time, doesn't make sense and isn't realistic. Obviously, there are other factors that play a part in living a healthy lifestyle. Someone who does 30 min. of exercise a day isn't going to have significant "weight loss" if they are going home and woofing down 3 cupcakes. Furthermore, you guys are going to focus on loosing "X number of pounds" and "significant weight loss"???? Sounds like a healthy and long term lifestyle plan, eh? Also, hope you don't plan on doing any strength training!

It's very SIMPLE!! (Healthy) Calories in should be less than calories out (via cardio and strength training).... not rocket science.

"......and anyone who's a fan of dining out knows that foodies are plentiful and the odd hole in the wall is the way to go for good eatin'." I think I just lost 5 lbs from laughing so hard at this sentence.

"....diet tricks....." there goes ANOTHER pound.