Hey, this is Will again.  Today, I’ll be telling you about one of my favorite places to go hiking called Bayfront Park.  This place has everything: a jogging trail, a place to fly kites, a bike trail, historical facts about the site and bathroom and water drinking facilities.  On a warm, sunny day, you can go there and see lots of people doing various activities like the ones mentioned above and you can tell that they’re enjoying themselves.  If you decide to go on the various paths, you can enjoy the beautiful sights and the pretty animals of which there are many - such as squirrels, moles, rabbits, hawks, snails and other animals that I can’t remember at the moment.

Hiking is always an enjoyable experience, especially at this place.  When I was about 9-years-old, my father took me there to breathe some fresh air and to run around a little.  I saw the wildlife, heard nature and smelled all the pretty flowers.  Ever since that day, I knew that hiking out in a place like this could bring various benefits.  It can bring your stress level down, is good for your cardio and can give you everlasting memories.  Is there a place such as this in your neighborhood?  Try it out, and see for yourself all the great benefits of hiking.

Here's a link to find out about other parks in San Mateo County: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/parks

Hey everyone!  Nimo here, again.  When I was in school, when the words P.E. escaped from someone's lips, I writhed.  It was as if they were sentencing me to death.  In this blog entry, I will be talking about whether or not I got a lot of physical activity during my P.E. classes.  My freshman year in high school, P.E. wasn't torture or fun - it was just laid back.  The teacher was really laid back and chill.  It seemed as if, at times, he didn't care until we get to the basketball and football section of our class!

I didn't have P.E. my sophomore year, but by junior year I was back to dressing into the navy blue shirt and shorts.  I had the same teacher as I did my freshman year and to be honest, we did NOT do anything.  To make matters worse, it was a yoga class full of girls.  We sat around and talked for what seemed like hours.  Sounds like a perfect day for girls, right?  While in the warrior pose, I thought to myself, "I really want to go outside and play football again."  

My senior year, I got serious and joined the weight training class.  The teacher was funny, but was also very serious and concerned when it came to youth dealing with obesity - he was fit for a guy his age!  Most of the time, I goofed off - only because I didn't feel comfortable working out with numerous boys around and, I guess, you can say the past two years with the laid back teacher has taken its toll on me.

After reading this, you probably have already figured out that I did not get enough physical activity in my P.E. classes.  Maybe it's just my theory, but I have reason to believe that when it comes to physical activity in your P.E. classes, it all comes down to YOU and if your environment makes it easy for you to be active.  We can't blame it all on the teachers, school, or the distractions around us.  There are many factors (environmental) that make it hard for people to get active.  It's not always the fault of the individual, although it doesn't help if they are not motivated to try.  What do you think?  Do you get enough physical activity in your P.E. classes?  What can we do to ensure that youth actually get some physical activity in their P.E. class?  I'll leave that for you guys to decide and ponder.  I leave you all with one love and happiness.  God bless.

Hey there, it's Jenny.  Cold weather doesn't mean we have to stay at home to exercise.  Exercising can be safe even when it's 20 degrees below zero outside.  You just have to know the "rules" before starting.  Here are some tips I got from my doctor.

It's safe for everyone to exercise in cold weather even if you have asthma or heart problems.  However, it's always best to check with your doctor and get his/her okay before starting.  

It's also important how you dress.  Dress in layers that you can remove easily when you feel your body getting too warm, and that you can put back on when you feel you need to.  You can start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene. This material helps draw sweat away from your body.  You should avoid cotton since this stays wet next to your body.  Next, try fleece for insulation and top this with a water-proof breathable outer layer.  A heavy jacket or vest can cause some people to overheat. 

If it's really cold or you have asthma, you should wear a face mask or a scarf to cover your mouth.  Your hands and feet should always be protected since they're most vulnerable to frostbite. You can try a thin pair of gloves under a heavier set of gloves with wool or fleece.

Also wear shoes that give you enough room to wear thick thermal socks or a second pair of regular socks.  Don't forget a hat or headband, 30-40 percent of your body heat is lost through your head. 

Sunscreen is as important in the winter as it is during the summer as well as chapstick, and remember to drink plenty of fluids like water. 

When it's cold outside, there's no need to go hit the couch.  So who's ready to go?!  What is your favorite activity during the winter?

Here are some resources from the Get Healthy website:

• Local Activity Resource Directory
• Physical Activity section contains info on local parks, trails, and recreation programs and info on how to incorporate physical activity in your life

Hey I'm Melissa and I was the author of the blog, Air Quality and Health in San Mateo County. Today I'll be blogging about staying healthy during the holidays.  I honestly think that trying to eat healthy throughout these days is a real challenge.  With all those delicious baked goods and greasy foods waiting for us on Christmas Day and New Years, it's a big temptation to eat them.  By moving aside these temptations, we can start eating healthier by simple acts; like eating a salad made out of different fruits or snacking away on delicious grilled pineapple kabobs.  You can even introduce these to your friends and family.  Trust me, they'll enjoy it.  For example, if you're going to a party and you're bringing something to eat, why don't you take something healthy but delicious at the same time?  Its a change in improving your health during the holidays.  Hey, maybe that's a good idea of a New Year's resolution!  Eating healthy!  Here are a few resources to get your resolution moving: eating healthy, get movin', and yum yum recipes.