Health Journey 2008

In January of 2000, "Men's Fitness Magazine," issued a report announcing America's Fattest Cities. Former Mayor John Street was setting up the "Office of Health and Fitness" when I heard the report chronicling Philadelphia's ranking. I was beginning the exciting task of working with the Nation's FATTEST city! Where would I start?

Pat Croce, at that time, the President and an owner of the 76ers, conceived the idea of the city losing 76 TONS of fat in 76 days. Thousands of Philadelphians joined with us in this initiative, and approximately 26,000 people averaged a lost of 5.3 pounds each.

Since then, many citizens, the Department of Public Health, private, corporate and community organizations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, communities of faith, hospitals, health systems, health clubs and gyms, pharmaceuticals, media outlets, local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit health agencies and sports teams have worked to develop a coalition that brings to life one of my favorite expressions, "all of us are smarter, stronger and richer than one of us!" We can now add. . .healthier!

Philadelphia has moved quickly, with the help of those I've mentioned, from the FATTEST and MOST UNFIT city in 2000, to the seventh position in 2004 and amazingly in 2006, to the twenty-third position. We're moving in the right direction! Mayor Street's vision to see Philadelphia become one of the HEALTHIEST cities in the nation is fast becoming a reality.

I encourage you to join a most exciting effective support group with other Philadelphians, in our City's journey to health. Learn how you can have FUN, as together we get FIT and FREE from destructive lifestyle patterns. Check out our "Fun, Fit and Free! Journey" webpage and take the "trip of a lifetime" with thousands of your neighbors.

Plan to include more veggies and fruits in your diet during the 2008 Health Journey. We're headed to HEART-FIT, Connecticut from January 14 - March 24, 2008.

Remember that "faulty genes may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger!"