I am gasping for breath and in dire need of water after the last leg of the Sand Challenge boot camp. The weekly training group taught by Justin Rudd is definitely intense, but in a good way. Flexibility, endurance, power and fun are all emphasized in today’s workout. Halfway through the class, we gather in a tight circle for squats, all facing one another, and tell our names and some good news from our week. We leave the squat group as comrades in our training, and I realize we are all now a team climbing the sand hills that follow.
Justin is sure to check in with each member of the group to see how they’re feeling, and if a new attendee falls behind he’s sure to fall behind with them to help out. At the end of the workout, Justin invites all the attendees to Coffee Bean to socialize. Many of us meet up to talk about our weeks, future marathons and healthy restaurants in the area.
Justin’s influence on the health of Long Beach residents doesn’t stop there. The Long Beach Loser contest of 2008 saw a cumulative weight of 3,125 pounds lost for the greater Long Beach area contestants. The Turkey Trot marathon held on Thanksgiving Day brings over 4,000 runners to Belmont Shore.
When think-tanks of health experts get together to sum up the word “wellness” and all it entails, they always emphasize it’s more than just eating right and exercising. Time and time again leaders in the field state that true health/wellness involves a sense of community for the individual and a strong social network. Justin has that area covered too. Every event he organizes – from the Giving Project to the dog parades – always carries the theme of Long Beach united.
I sat down with Justin to ask him about health both individually, and in the community.
I just saw a YouTube video of you running five miles a day throughout Long Beach. What keeps you inspired to continue your running routine?
Several things: I want to be a well-rounded person spiritually, physically, mentally and socially. The physical aspect includes the running. helping me to maintain muscle, lung and heart health. It also helps me burn fat and calories because I like to eat!
Running everyday allows me time to think and to get out of the house and get away from the desk and my work for awhile. I get out on the beach bike path and it just feels great to be around nature and other people. I also listen to a podcast of my preacher Joel Osteen, which is positive and uplifting.
Describe what health means to you?
To me it means a rounded approach of physical, mental, spiritual well-being. For me to be healthy, it means doing the right things to excel in those areas.
I was at the final weigh in for the Long Beach Loser contest and it was very inspiring. What was the record for weight loss this year?
The record was 58.5 pounds!
What is one thing we could do in the city to make it a healthier place to live?
Getting out and moving more, and socializing. Thinking of ways that we could encourage each other to get out and go for a walk/jog as a group or to join a friend at the local pool, or a swim in the bay, or even a pleasant bike ride with friends. We need more encouragement, support, and accountability from our friends, family and coworkers.
You work with beauty pageant contestants a lot. How important is good posture to their success?
Good posture is not only good for your body, but it gives you an air of confidence and control and it makes you look taller and thinner!
So it translates directly to everyone? It’s just as important for everyday folks as it is for pageant contestants?
Yes, it’s important for all of us at all ages, whether we’re sitting at a desk, visiting clients in the field, or standing before a group you do need to have good posture. You have to work at it and make it a daily habit.
What is the number one piece of advice you could give to someone looking to lose weight or get back in shape?
Just do it, start now. Don’t wait or depend on everybody else to motivate you. As well, don’t depend on food to be the source of your health. You have to really want it and you have to implement a plan to make it happen. The realities are you do have to cut calories and get moving more, you do have to think positively, you have to be more social. When all of these fall into place together it will help to create a healthier person.
For me, I do not allow myself to say I don’t have time. Nothing trumps my time for exercise. You have to put it in your calendar and let nothing get in the way. Even on my busiest days with events I run, that’s my time for my health and my sanity. Whether it’s cold, hot or raining… I’m running.
Justin’s health tips:
* Daily Fish Oil
* Daily Mulitivitamin
* Stop eating when you’re full/ Control your portions
* Choose daily snacks such as organic almonds instead of chips/cookies
* There are kid’s menus at places such as Claim Jumper and Lucille’s that are still very good and filling.
Dr. Michael Day is a chiropractor at the Advanced Wellness Center who contributes health and fitness articles to the lbpost.com. Click here for his piece on the local Farmer’s Market.