Governor Sonny Perdue stays in shape by playing racquetball. Lets all take his testimonial to heart and get into the game! Thank you Governor for endorsing racquetball!

Governor Perdue and Gary Gloeggler  4

6left - Governor Perdue & Danny Eckley
6right - Governor Perdue & John Krafka - Senior Associate Director, Department of Recreation, Georgia State University

FYI - Scroll down and read the following AJC article making sure you read the last paragrah!

By PATRICIA GUTHRIE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/22/05
Tackling a problem of substantial heft, Gov. Sonny Perdue launched a campaign Monday aimed at a healthier state of body and mind for 8.8 million (mostly) plus-size Georgia residents.

Called "Live Healthy Georgia," the initiative joins already existing state health programs with those offered by hospitals and other private businesses. It aims to offer a cohesive message about better health, in particular advice on how to prevent diabetes, heart disease and other
chronic diseases, as well as how to quit smoking.

"We want to provide steps for healthier living that people can follow," Perdue said. "Good health should be a part of all stages in all ages of life in Georgia."

Perdue stressed the campaign's benefits: improved individual personal health and lower state costs for treating chronic diseases.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources developed the campaign after meeting with focus groups throughout the state. It revolves around five themes: be active, get screened, be smoke-free, eat healthy and be positive. Live Healthy Georgia health fairs will debut April 19 - 24 during the Dodge Tour de Georgia, the professional cycling event that crosses the state. Cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who won the event last year, has said he plans to defend his title.

No new money or legislation is attached to the initiative. Instead, the idea is to bring together the message of many state agencies, which have been fighting a losing battle of the bulge for the past two decades. Between 1984 and 2002, the prevalence of overweight and obese Georgians increased 60 percent, according to state data.

Among adults, more than 61 percent of Georgians are considered overweight or obese, state data show. About 15 percent of all schoolchildren in Georgia are obese. Being overweight and inactive contributes to many diseases and early deaths, said Dr. Stuart Brown, acting director of the Division of Public Health. Stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and other chronic diseases claimed the lives of nearly 40,000 Georgians in 2003 * about 56 percent of total deaths for the year.

A coordinated effort makes sense, said Bill Todd, head of the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

"There's been more emphasis on fighting for funding rather than on fighting these common enemies," he said.

Heather Hedrick, the governor's spokeswoman, said Perdue is following his own advice. He gets in a good sweat on a local Atlanta racquetball court at least three times a week, Hedrick said. "Even during the Legislature, he makes sure there is time in his schedule for racquetball in the morning," she said.