Forlini Plans Kickball Game for Fitness

Armchair quarterbacks will have the chance to put down the remote and return to the ball fields to play the playground game of kickball in an effort to get Michigan healthier.

State Rep. Anthony Forlini, R-Harrison Township, announced Thursday he was organizing a "Kickin' off the Pounds" kickball game for constituents to get active and "have a little fun in the process."

"What we are missing in the whole of idea of getting in shape is fun. Too many people are caught up in the gym routine, not have any fun and eventually fall out of the habit," said Forlini, who recalled the "fun" childhood memories of playing kickball.

"As a kid you didn't need to go out to the gym, you went to the park ... and stayed in shape," he said. "We have to get people away from the computer, large screen TVs ... and lets start interacting with each other."

The modern twist on the classic playground game organized by Forlini is scheduled for Oct. 3 at Total Sports in Harrison Township. In just a few hours after the event was posted, 15 people signed up including State Rep. Marilyn Lane, D-Fraser.

The game comes just days after Gov. Rick Snyder laid out his plan for a healthier Michigan. According to the governor's office, 67 percent of Michigan adults are overweight or obese. Also, Michigan is eighth in the nation with an adult obesity rate of 31.7 percent.

In addition to encouraging healthier habits and access to health care, there was a controversial proposal to have Body Mass Index reported to the state.

Patch reader Heather Stinson wrote on Facebook, "My thoughts are that the governor should let parents take care of their own children and he should be concentrating on getting this state into a better place financially."

Danielle Leone also wrote, "I agree that it's not the government's business. On the contrary, I think we are all aware of a higher mortality rate when a person is obese. That being said, if nothing is done to correct child obesity, we are setting up the kids for a short unfulfilled life. If it's not corrected, I'm sure the state will be paying for their future health care."

For more information about the kickball game, visit Rep. Forlini's Facebook page.