Keeping fit a goal for all ages, abilities

Willie Gault represents one side of the fitness spectrum. As Daily Herald sports writer Bob LeGere reported Sunday, the 50-year-old former Bear not only keeps physically fit, he remains a speed demon, setting world records in his masters age group in the 100 and 200 meters.

It’s an impressive feat and takes a lot of discipline to remain at that level.

“I know I’m only going to get one body. You can’t trade it in like a used car. I’ve always been very conscious of my body, and I treat my body right,” Gault said.

While not all of us can be speedy receivers on the football field or on the track, we can take that advice to heart. Indeed, that’s what several groups in DuPage County are doing to get adults and children eating healthy and off the couches. That’s the other side of the fitness spectrum.

Daily Herald staff writers Anna Madrzyk and Marie Wilson reported last week on the countywide program called FORWARD (Fighting Obesity Reaching Healthy Weight Among Residents of DuPage) and efforts in Lombard, specifically.

One in three schoolchildren and 65 percent of adults in DuPage are at risk for being overweight or obese, numbers that mirror nationwide figures.

So we applaud any and all efforts to help suburbanites get more active and therefore healthier. We’ve backed that up with our annual Fittest Loser contest which ended a few weeks ago. It not only helps a lucky few shed pounds and bad habits, but local trainers offer advice each week during the contest in our Health and Fitness section.

As a company, we’ve had teams participate in the American Cancer Society’s Active for Life campaign in which participants set weekly fitness goals that they track online.

It’s that kind of focus on fitness that is needed throughout the suburbs.

DuPage’s FORWARD will be monitoring obesity prevalence in more than 90 percent of DuPage schools in the next school year. One area they want to improve are the lunch offerings, starting with something simple, like putting healthy choices first in line as a way to encourage students to eat better. Other ideas include improving access to the county’s bike paths and walking trails and allowing more roadside fresh fruit and vegetable stands.

In Lombard, the local YMCA and other groups are expanding opportunities for physical activity, increasing access to healthy food choices and promoting active transportation.

“You don’t have to be an athlete; you don’t have to be in fabulous shape,” said Tri-Town YMCA Executive Director Joanne Mitrenga, about efforts to establish more open gyms and walking opportunities.

So, use Willie Gault as inspiration, perhaps, but remember, you can set your own “world-class” goals and live a healthier life.