Rotary's speaker, Cliff Krapp

by Scott Candlier, reporter

Mark Burnette, photographer

Eric Willis introduced speaker, Cliff Krapp, who spoke to our club about food and overall health. Cliff stated that there is an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. Two out of three people in America have a weight problem and Cliff visited our club to offer a solution. To achieve optimal health everyone must eliminate excess weight. Obesity, meaning at least 30 pounds over optimal weight, is now the No. 1 preventable disease in the country. A study by Baylor University stated that by 2030, 90% of Americans will be overweight. This will lead to a myriad of health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart failure.

Thousands of years ago man had to work hard to get food. Their bodies were built for their lifestyle, and were designed to store energy. Today our bodies are designed to conserve energy and the gathering of food and calories is easy.- too easy in most cases. The food industry is not our friend. Food portions have become huge and then there is the ever favorite "all you can eat buffets." Today Americans are eating foods that are destroying our health. There are more and more energy saving devices and we are becoming more apathetic, lazy, and are in denial of the obesity problem. We tend to make the same bad eating choices over and over. Cliff stated that our health is our most precious asset, yet the daily choices most of us make directly conflict with our ability to preserve it. It basically comes down to calories "in" and calories "out". Cliff indicated that while our technology is up, our life expectancy and quality of life is down. We need to work towards preventing disease and creating health. There are definite emotional and social problems connected with obesity. Over the years there have been tons of fad fixes, pills, programs, and procedures to help us lose weight. Things that do not help us create long term health.

The cure will come from people reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and by equipping themselves with the habits to make the weight loss permanent.

Cliff indicated that if anyone is interested in a new way of living healthy, call him at 770-855-6096 or e-mail him at 4optimalhealth@gmail.com.

Bob Berg chatted with Eric Lucas and Bill Mealor after the meeting.

Past President Dave Jollay joined President Mark at the head table.

Our club presented a book to The DeKalb County Public Library in honor of Cliff, Prime for Life by Randy Raugh.

Friday, June 26 is the Changing of the Guard. Congratulations, President Mark! Thank you for all your hard work over the past year.

• June 21:
  Bob Bachman
• June 22:
  Candler Broom
• June 22:
  Don Hooten
• June 24:
  David Ewing
• June 25:
  Bob Rutland
• June 26:
  Todd Speed

Changing of the Guard

Club Announcements

Todd Speed delivered the invocation.

President Mark announced that Dr. Clyde Partin, Sr.. recently died.

John Robinson and Nath Briley are working on our scholarships and awards and more information will be forth-coming.

President Mark reminded everyone that there will be no meeting on July 3rd.

Welcoming Guests

There was only one guest joining us, Felton Jenkins of Madison was the guest of Kirby Thompson.

Scotty Candler graciously offered to introduce the visiting Rotarians, but alas, there were none in attendance.

Officers for Decatur Rotary:

President - Mark Hastings

President-Elect - Bryan Downs

Past President - David Ewing

Secretary - Vee Nelson

Treasurer - Jason Conn

Sergeant-at-Arms - Doug Torbush

District Governor - Ted Propes

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Join us! Decatur Rotary Club meets each Friday at noon at the Old Courthouse on the Square in downtown Decatur.

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The four-way test of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

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