Donald Prifti, an exercise physiologist at Aria Health, encouraged members of the civic association Take Back Your Neighborhood to pursue a healthy lifestyle to avoid becoming overweight or obese.
Prifti, who works in the wellness center at Aria’s Torresdale Campus, had a challenge.
On a nearby table sat Doritos, Tastykakes, doughnuts, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, cotton candy and soda.
Prifti explained that, while Americans are living longer, they are not necessarily healthier. He told members that the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend “at least” 150 minutes of exercise per week.
“This is only a minimum,” he said.
Prifti put that in perspective by telling members that there are 1,440 minutes per day.
“We only ask that you exercise thirty minutes each day,” he said, adding that Americans should work out with weights twice a week.
Prifti urged people to eat small portions and a mix of carbohydrates, protein and fat.
Eating at night can be unhealthy because the body will store calories overnight.
“You shouldn’t eat right before you go to bed as a rule of thumb,” Prifti said.
To further avoid heart disease, people should learn to manage their stress, Prifti said.
Aria also has wellness centers at its Frankford and Bucks County campuses. They feature exercise equipment, and staff monitor the health of members.
Prifti provided free one-month memberships to those at the meeting.
In other news from the July 16 meeting:
• The Panthers Youth Program is holding football signups for boys age 5 to 15 on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. at Max Myers Playground, at 1601 Hellerman St. The cost is $125.
Call Lamar Moore at 267–978–4092 or visit the Panthers Youth Program page on Facebook.
• Congregations of Ner Zedek, at 7520 Bustleton Ave., will host a concert by Broadway Sings on Monday, Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $36. Call the synagogue at 215–728–1155 or Jack Belitsky at 215–725–2912.
• Members unanimously voted to approve bylaws, focusing on the Castor Gardens region and the 19111 and 19149 ZIP codes.
Twelve people, led by a chairperson, lead the organization. Terms last for one year.
All meetings will be on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Max Myers. Meetings are moved to the fourth Monday in case of a holiday.
The complete bylaws are available at www.takebackyourneighborhood.org
• Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at Max Myers Playground. The guest will be Kathleen Kane, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general.
The group will also meet on Sept. 17. ••
