St. Joseph “Laziest City” in Missouri

ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

Even with more education about healthy eating and proliferation of new 24-hour fitness centers opening in the city, it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.

A new online news story claims St. Joseph is the laziest city in Missouri.

The report from the 24/7 Wall St..com website bases it’s claim on exercise and obesity data. It says St. Joseph’s obesity rate of 35.2 percent is among the highest in the country. It adds that the percentage of residents who report exercising at 71.5 percent place it below the state average.

Physical trainer Dwayne Blakley of Anytime Fitness in St. Joseph says he’s not entirely surprised by the report.

I was born and raised here, I’ve seen a whole lot,” he said. “Laziness is one of the things you grow up around.”

Blakley adds he does get a charge out of new people taking up exercise.

“As time goes on they get a little more confident,” he said. “That’s the first thing I see is confidence. Then you see strength gains and you see weight loss and that’s a great feeling.”

Physicians and staff at Mosaic Life Care know about the costs of laziness and obesity. They see it in the number of patients coming through their doors.

“There’s heart disease, diabetes. A lack of exercise contributes to that,” said Marcy George, Special Projects Coordinator for the healthcare organization.

A community health needs assessment survey conducted by Mosaic identified obesity as one of the top three health issues in St. Joseph. That’s why hospital leaders came up with a simple 1-2-3-4-5 Fit-Tastic Plan.

“It’s one hour of physical activity, less than two hours of screen time, three servings of non-fat dairy, four servings of water and five servings of fruits and vegetables,” George said. “It follows the whole gamut that if you stick by these rules your health will improve.

Businesses try to capitalize on those who are bitten by the fitness bug. Fit Republic is a new business in St. Joseph offering a variety of vitamins and supplements along with nutritional coaching and evaluation.

“One day of clean eating is not going to make you healthy just like one day of bad eating is going to make you unhealthy,” said owner Austin Evans. “It’s just about getting a clean diet and balance and incorporating some exercise.”

At the gym, Blakley says people of all shapes and sizes are welcome and that anyone can see major improvements in themselves.

“You don’t need to be a big bodybuilder. You don’t need to be a strong person. All you need is just will and an able mind and the ability to process and learn. That’s all you need.”ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

Even with more education about healthy eating and proliferation of new 24-hour fitness centers opening in the city, it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.

A new online news story claims St. Joseph is the laziest city in Missouri.

The report from the 24/7 Wall St..com website bases it’s claim on exercise and obesity data. It says St. Joseph’s obesity rate of 35.2 percent is among the highest in the country. It adds that the percentage of residents who report exercising at 71.5 percent place it below the state average.

Physical trainer Dwayne Blakley of Anytime Fitness in St. Joseph says he’s not entirely surprised by the report.

I was born and raised here, I’ve seen a whole lot,” he said. “Laziness is one of the things you grow up around.”

Blakley adds he does get a charge out of new people taking up exercise.

“As time goes on they get a little more confident,” he said. “That’s the first thing I see is confidence. Then you see strength gains and you see weight loss and that’s a great feeling.”

Physicians and staff at Mosaic Life Care know about the costs of laziness and obesity. They see it in the number of patients coming through their doors.

“There’s heart disease, diabetes. A lack of exercise contributes to that,” said Marcy George, Special Projects Coordinator for the healthcare organization.

A community health needs assessment survey conducted by Mosaic identified obesity as one of the top three health issues in St. Joseph. That’s why hospital leaders came up with a simple 1-2-3-4-5 Fit-Tastic Plan.

“It’s one hour of physical activity, less than two hours of screen time, three servings of non-fat dairy, four servings of water and five servings of fruits and vegetables,” George said. “It follows the whole gamut that if you stick by these rules your health will improve.

Businesses try to capitalize on those who are bitten by the fitness bug. Fit Republic is a new business in St. Joseph offering a variety of vitamins and supplements along with nutritional coaching and evaluation.

“One day of clean eating is not going to make you healthy just like one day of bad eating is going to make you unhealthy,” said owner Austin Evans. “It’s just about getting a clean diet and balance and incorporating some exercise.”

At the gym, Blakley says people of all shapes and sizes are welcome and that anyone can see major improvements in themselves.

“You don’t need to be a big bodybuilder. You don’t need to be a strong person. All you need is just will and an able mind and the ability to process and learn. That’s all you need.”