Projo Fitness Blog

"Remember when social networking meant hangin' out with real people?"

Those words come from an outdoor outfitter's weekly e-newsletter.

This week, they're urging readers to "kick it old school this summer with an impromptu picnic."

Make that an impromptu healthy picnic.

The folks at FoodFit.com have compiled a list of 50 healthy picnic recipes including marinated coleslaw (use honey instead of sugar) and grilled salad (you can grill anything) with lemon.

Check out the recipes, pray for sunshine, and grab a few friends for some real social networking.

Barbie has gotten a lot of flack over the years -- more than 50 years of being the model doll for little girls to emulate.

Sure, they had to change her figure to make her a little more realistic. And for many years she was just a model, stay-at-home kind of gal, aspiring to not much other than high fashion and a big poofy bridal dress. But she's also played tennis, run for president and worked in an office.

There really are too many Barbie dolls to keep track of (unless you're a big-time collector) -- but the other day I spotted an advertisement for a Barbie doll that I can endorse: Bike With Me Barbie.

The 16-inch and 12-inch Barbie bikes now have a mini-bike on the handlebar for a Barbie doll to ride along. They come with pretty pink and purple accents. Get her a Barbie helmet and she'll be ready to ride.

There's even an interactive biking game on the Barbie Web site.

And if the girl in your life just wants a Barbie that rides, there's also the Beach Party Barbie, who comes with her own bike.

I know the little girls in my neighborhood are more partial to Bratz than they are Barbies these days, so for those little ones there's also a Bratz bicycle, sans the doll. One fan site also offers more options for Bratz sports gear for girls.

A report by a national health advocacy group says Rhode Island has the 4th lowest rate of adult obesity in the nation -- but the 29st highest rate of overweight and obese children.

Rhode Island has the fourth-lowest rate of adult obesity in the nation, with 21.7 percent of adult residents classified as obese by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report by the Washington-based Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Mississippi leads the nation in adults who are obese. The "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009" report says 30.1 percent of residents ages 10 to 17 overweight or obese.

Massachusetts has the second lowest rate of adult obesity in the nation, behind Colorado.

Rhode Island's childhood-obesity rate is almost exactly the same as Massachusetts, where the rate among young people was 30 percent.

The report says the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.

The rate of obese adults remained consistent in the state in the past year. Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in any state in the past year.

Climbing Mt. Shasta for the Breast Cancer Fund

On Wednesday, June 24, breast cancer survivor Debra Cole of West Greenwich scaled Northern California's 14,162-foot Mt. Shasta with the Breast Cancer Fund's Climb Against the Odds expedition.

The effort included breast cancer survivors and others affected by the disease.

A first-time climber, Debra, 53, underwent six months of rigorous physical and mental preparation for the climb. She climbed both to move past her recent experience with breast cancer and to support the Breast Cancer Fund's work to eliminate the environmental causes of the disease.

A mother of two daughters, Debra has been active in breast cancer advocacy since her diagnosis in 2005 and has become especially passionate about identifying the causes of the disease, to reduce the risk for the next generation.

This year's Climb Against the Odds raised over $450,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund.

ChiRunning is a way of running that uses alignment and relaxation, much like a yoga pose, with strength drawing from the core. The idea is to move in cooperation with the forces runners encounter, in order to run more efficiently and with fewer injuries.

The ChiRunning method draws from the principles and wisdom of tai chi and combines it with the forward motion of a runner to create a centered mindfulness practice.

The REI store in Cranston has scheduled a free seminar on ChiRunning for July 23 at 7:30 p.m.

"In this talk, you will learn how ChiRunning uses alignment and relaxation to create the conditions for speed to occur," according to the store's Web site. "We will also cover the roots of the most common injuries for runners, and how learning a new running form can help prevent them. Finally, you will be introduced to the first of the ChiRunning focuses, posture, which is the root of the method, and will help you walk taller and with more strength and awareness all day, every day."

"The prepared talk will last approximately 45 minutes, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The presenter, Michael Krushinsky, is a Providence-based ChiRunning Certified instructor.

To register for the free clinic, call (401) 275-5250.

More than 800 dedicated cyclists rode for the Fidelity Investments MS 150, June 27 and 28.

Starting from Narragansett, riders enjoy a scenic 75 miles, through southern and western Rhode Island to the overnight at Connecticut College in New London. There was a finish-line cook-out, plenty of beer, entertainment and a full dinner at the school.

On Sunday, cyclists rode 75 miles of gorgeous coastal roads back to Narragansett, to enjoy a finish-line barbecue with music and more.

The MS 150 experience can be shared by starting a team. Teams are a great way to build morale and demonstrate your community involvement. Any group of four or more people can form a team, and there are plenty of places to find members friends, family, your company or your community.

MS 150 photo

Providence Journal video by Sandor Bodo

Jane Bergmark, director of the Yoga Loft in Warren, R.I, and Ni Ketut Tirta, born and raised in Lovina, Bali, lead a yoga class at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol's North Garden, overlooking the Great Lawn and Narragansett Bay.