My thoughts on Nick Benoits article

I have to say this is something I feel very strongly about. I am so glad that steps are being taken to curb obesity but I feel the same as Nick that this should have been started a long time ago. I guess the biggest effects of the overload of technology and devices that do not promote physical activity has really become so apparent in the last ten years or so. What happened to PE everyday in elementary school like when we were kids. Personally I would rather the day be alittle bit longer for my kids and have that available to them than not. It isn't offered until 7th grade now to do that and join athletics. By that time kids have already put on extra weight that could have been curved. Ofcourse most of the responsibility belongs to the parents. Parents need to turn of the TV, computer and video games and kick their butts out the door and say go climb a tree, ride your bike or something! They're missing out on some of the best parts of being kid.

Obesity Craze by Nick Benoit

Lately there has been a lot of focus on obesity in the United States, especially from the government. Following Jamie Oliver's example from "Food Revolution," many cities, counties, states, and even the federal government are addressing the problem of obesity. When I first heard that the new federal health care bill will soon required restaurants to make calorie counts readily available to their customers I was ecstatic. I think this was something that needed to be done a long time ago, because people go to a restaurant and order a salad and have no idea that the salad could be 800 calories. So when Texas governments began to follow in the federal governments footsteps, I was even more excited.
According to Debra King (Austin American-Statesman), 30 percent of Texas children are overweight or obese. In Lubbock, where about 38% of Lubbock County residents were obese in 2007, they are working on a healthy dining guide to provide residents with healthy choices at restaurants in the area. I know I'm guilty of this as most people are, but when I go out to eat I have no idea how many calories I am consuming. Actually, I have no idea how many calories I consume at home.
My girlfriend works for the Texas Department of State Health Services, and they provide many wellness services to their employees. She has access to a worksite wellness program which provides fitness rooms, fitness classes, and a farm to work program. I think more programs like this should be provided to employees, as it would most likely cut insurance costs because healthy employees would not have to go to the doctor as often.
It makes me happy that different levels of government are addressing the issue of obesity, but why is this all just starting now. Being overweight and obese have been problems that have been around for a long time. I think more cities and counties in Texas should jump on the healthy bandwagon and encourage their citizens to make a change in their lives.

Texas Unemployment Stays Below National Average

There has been an increase in jobs across the state in a variety of areas. An increase of 37,200 jobs to be exact. It is so pleasing to see something positive like this. Our unemployment average went from 8.2% to 8.1% staying below the national average of 8.8%. The biggest increase was seen in professional and business services adding 10,800 jobs to their market. Next was leisure and hospitality adding on 9900 jobs for their industry. Mining and logging added 4300 jobs, trade, transportation and utilities added 2300 more jobs, and construction added 2200 jobs. The trend has continued consistently for months now. This is great for our state moving toward our goal for jobs in our state for every individual who wants to work. Our job market and people are so diverse that we really have a step ahead for creating and maintaining a great statewide trend of employment for our citizens.