“Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, this is train 127 to Waahshington–train 127 to Waahshington”
En route to Washington from NYC by Amtrak–a three hour journey.
We find the “Quiet Coach” (no loud voices–no cell phone use)–perfect.
Meredith starts to read the in-house magazine, which has a photo of Michelle Obama on the cover looking in radiant health. Her mission is to stem the rise in juvenile obesity.
The theme this month is Health and Wellness–no escape.
Inside Meredith finds a short article written by Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the NIH–the National Institutes of Health–entitled: “Change your life style and save your life”–no escape.
These days you can’t even take a trip in the “quiet coach” without being exhorted to examine your lifestyle!
Dr. Collins writes that shortly before taking up his post, he took advantage of one of the programmes funded by the NIH and had a DNA scan designed to look at the hereditory risks of disease.
To his surprise the scan revealed he had a risk of Type 2 diabetes.
“The strategy that caught my eye,” he writes, “was an NIH funded Diabetes Prevention Program which found the the combination of increased physical activity and modest weight loss is a highly effective way to lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. When trial participants–all with elevated levels of glucose–exercised 2.5 hours a week and lost 7% of their weight on avereage, many were protected from developing diabetes, with preventive benefits lasting at least a decade.”
He decided to act and started working out. In the first six months of his new routine he lost 25 pounds.
“I’ve never felt fitter, ” he says.
“Taking charge of your health by choosing the right foods and the right exercise programme is among the most important investments you can make in your future”–no escape!!
“Ladies and Gentlemen–15 minutes to New Carrolt’n– New Carrolt’n 15 minutes. Twenty-five minutes to Waahshington, 25 minutes to Waahshington–New Carrolt’n, Maryland is next”.
Robin Ellis 
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