REAL NJ HOUSEWIVES
by Janice Kerr, American Woman health editor
I’ve lived and worked in New Jersey all my life, and for all my life I’ve had to put up with my state being the butt of the rest of the country’s jokes. Television isn’t helping. First it was The Sopranos, then The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Last year brought us the worst of the lot so far, the first season of Jersey Shore (with only one of the eight member cast actually from New Jersey, the other seven come from New York and Rhode Island!) It’s obvious that Hollywood loves to make fun of the Garden State.
The newest Jerseyite plastered across our televisions and the Internet doesn’t help our long suffering image. She’s Donna Simpson, a 42 year old mother of two with a most unusual goal. She wants to weigh 1000 lbs. That’s half a ton, people! And she’s well on her way to reaching that goal.
Let me tell you, we here in New Jersey didn’t need this. Our state has suffered enough. It’s enough to make anyone go out and exercise another few hours a week. And that’s just what the newest health studies are now telling us -- one hour a day, seven days a week of moderate to strenuous exercise to maintain our weight as we age.
And that brings me to a story about another New Jersey woman, someone we can all admire. Two years ago Karen MacNamara weighed over 300 lbs. -- about half the size of Donna Simpson. But Karen realized she needed to shed weight to stay healthy. This 53 year old woman lost 137 lbs. by changing her eating habits and taking up walking -- a form of moderate exercise. Go Karen! Now that’s a New Jersey housewife we can all admire!
So what do you think of these two NJ housewives? Let's hear from you! And don't forget by sharing your thoughts, you're automatically entered to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest this week.--AP
