THIN IS OUT. FIT IS IN.

THIN IS OUT. FIT IS IN. THAT'S THE FINDING OF a survey by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). The study conducted in conjunction with the Sundance Aerobics & Fitness Challenge, polled a national sample of 638 fitness-conscious Americans who entered the nation's largest aerobics competition. Aerobics instructors and their class members were participants in the poll.
Sixty-eight percent of the sample answered "no" to the question: are you currently on a diet? However, nearly half admitted they try to limit themselves to 1,100 to 2,000 calories a day. The fitness-oriented sample group believes maintaining a desirable weight requires a combination of proper eating and exercise.
"There is definitely a strong movement toward moderation and balance," says Steve Tharrett, director of athletics and wellness for Club Corporation of America, an organization that manages private clubs. "Exercising in moderation, while curbing calorie intake, helps people overcome boredom--a frequent cause of overeating--and creates a feeling of overall wellness," says Tharrett.
The survey results support U.S. Health and Human Services Department report recommending a lifestyle that combines exercise and eating right as a prescription for a healthier nation. "Nutritional value of foods is becoming more important than calorie count," says health and fitness expert David Essel. "The general public is becoming more knowledgeable about reading labels. They're avoiding foods with fat, cholesterol, sugar, sodium and preservatives."
Most of the respondents to the Sundance Fitness Survey expressed a feeling of energy and vivacity after they have exercised. About 95% said they feel better after a workout. For this population, exercise is regarded as a tool for building a new, better, healthier self--both physically and mentally.
-Aerobics and Fitness Association of America