I've been skiing since I was old enough to walk. As a matter of fact I think my parents actually tried to strap skis and boots on me before I could even do that. At the time and I suppose up until about 6 or 7 years ago I didn't realize how lucky I was. My folks provided me with a life long sport that I can participate in for the rest of my years. Sure, I played most of the team sports other kids participated in: Baseball, football and soccer to name a few. However one can only play football so long. Baseball turns to softball (which, for many, is mainly an excuse to drink with your buddies), and soccer well unless you are in South America or some European countries, that is over in your 30's or early 40's as well. People participate in skiing into there 70's and beyond. I guess my point is that I would like to see more people pick up skiing and get their kids involved in a sport that will enable them to stay fit and healthy for their entire life.
Our country is facing an obesity epidemic the likes we have never seen. Nearly 60 percent of our population is overweight and over 10% of our kids under the age of 13 are now considered obese. Just 10 years ago there were no children considered obese and less than 50 percent of U.S. citizens were considered overweight. Even with all of the diet and exercise programs and the billions of dollars spent by consumers on fitness related products and memberships, we are still getting fatter. One of our major problems is that, we as a society, many times, don't think ahead. We are reactive and not proactive.
One of my favorite sports is football. However, how many high school football players do you know that continue to play the game after they graduate? Not very many. In fact only one out of more than a thousand continue on to college and even less to the pros. On the flip side, skiing has a very high retention rate for those who begin when they are young. Many of them continue through their 80's and even 90's. Don't get me wrong, like I said one of my favorite sports is football (and probably my favorite to watch), however I think skiing is a much better sport to teach fitness longevity. That is one of the things that spurred me to write the book, FitSKiing. I wanted to promote heath and fitness longevity through skiing. I believe it is one of the activities that can provide lifelong fitness for both young and old. So strap on your skis, hit the slopes, and help me promote lifelong fitness through skiing.
Stay Fit Skiing!
Andrew Hooge