Time for change Editor's Note
T
he year has raced by yet again and although spring is her- alded by my favourite flowers, the magnolias, wisteria and violets, it is also a huge reminder that Christmas is looming and for me, another unwanted birthday.
This year also celebrates twenty years in business for my fashion company, a huge milestone especially these days for an industry that has suffered so many casualties.
The year has been full of celebration for us and while it is great to recognize the achievements of the clothing arm of the busi- ness, I have also been seeking a way to make real social change to the county that I love so much. Unfortunately, NZ has a huge health problem. To hold the title of the world's third most overweight nation is nothing to be proud of, so I have come up with the 'million for a million' concept. I have set this country a challenge to collectively reduce our gross weight by one million kilograms. To achieve this, I need one million people to sign up to lose 1 kg each and pay $1 to the heart foundation as a pledge to do so. It's affordable and so doable and should enable a wide cross section of our nation to take part.
A big hairy audacious goal, but imagine if we achieve this and collectively reduce the nation's gross weight. Even more so if we get one million people talking and doing something about their health! It doesn't need to be huge, this is not a diet chal- lenge, it's a health challenge (you may want to put on weight, or support another to lose or increase weight). A small step change that will make a big difference if consistently adhered to is all that is needed (I took processed sugar out of my diet and lost 4 kgs).
Kick Start for a Healthy Heart
A country talking about health, making that step to change and working together will achieve some great results. For me, it's about championing a cause that is so important to me and has the potential to make real social change. This could be the kick-start we need to become one of the world's most healthi- est nations!
Our health is all we have in the end and I've lived a life of yo-yo and fad diets, so it's time for a reality check that is about health, not weight, and this is what I love about this challenge that will refresh itself every year in October, i.e. we will reset the one million counter to zero and restart the conversations and chal- lenges as they will need to be ongoing. Yes, it's not going to be easy to get one million people involved but I'm giving it a go. I have some great support with Foodstuffs, Westpac and the internal team at the Warehouse. Zeald have created the perfect website, so we have launched and are heading towards our goal of one million.
Please get involved with as an individual or there's also the op- tion to sign up in a group and record a collective loss. Log onto www.millionforamillion.co.nz for all the information or check out page 16 in this edition of Her Magazine. Together we can make a difference, not only to our own health but also to the health of a nation.
I love getting feedback from our readers, and Letters to the Editor is a great way for me to get your comments and your input to Her Magazine. Email me at: hermag@strettonpublishing.co.nz
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