Documentary Promotes Childhood Obesity Awareness
The Million Calorie March is 1200 Miles of Inspiration
Mar 8, 2009
Gary Marino, author of The Big & Tall Chronicles: Misadventures of a Lifelong Food Addict, continues to build his foundation, Generation Excel. Not only did Marino lose 150 pounds and walk 1200 miles to raise awareness for childhood obesity, he also made a documentary about his journey.
After losing weight and changing his lifestyle, Marino took what he learned on the road. He rallied support and took an RV as his base for a cross country walk to raise money for programs to educate kids about health and nutrition. Marino’s inspiring story of weight loss and his goals to raise funds for programs to reduce childhood obesity gained a lot of attention. The entire trip was documented and made into a movie, the Million Calorie March. The documentary won the Freddie Award for 2008.
While the main focus of the documentary is on the road trip, it also shares staggering facts on obesity. He shares his experiences on fad diets and is proof that they don’t work long-term. Fad diets only offer quick fix solutions, but they do not offer lasting weight loss effects. Instead, they create a yo-yo dieting effect. The documentary also showed clips of his childhood and how family traditions added to his weight problems. He encourages parents and teachers to show kids healthier food options and to get them moving more.
Lives were changed during the Million Calorie March. One thing that stood out was the support Marino had. While his wife and friends made up a good portion of his support team on the road, he was also joined by his brother and sister, youth groups, camera crews and locals who heard about his walk.
He kicked off his walk with Regis and Kelly and walked onto their show live during his journey across the states. He spoke to groups of people at media events, radio stations, newspapers and everyday people along the way.
Marino had trouble raising funds to sponsor his foundation, but he didn’t let that stop him. He was done letting his weight act as an obstacle in his life and he wasn’t letting anything else get in the way of his plans either. He learned to expect obstacles and work around them. He is proof that everyday people can lose weight and make a difference. He is an inspiration to others struggling with obesity and needing a lifestyle change.
The Million Calorie March documentary was just another stepping stone for Generation Excel though. Marino continues to work towards his goal of raising funds for programs to reduce childhood obesity.
 |
