No chance of reversing obesity rise in U.S.

without better motivators, says top nutritionist

               (Colorado Springs, CO, June 21, 2006) A leading sports nutritionist who has been educating college and pro athletes for 25 years says Americans have no chance of stemming the rising tide of obesity in the U.S. until better ways are developed to motivate people to eat smart and exercise more.

"Most every adult knows now that a healthy lifestyle begins with wise food choices and some daily physical activity," explains Dave Ellis, a registered dietitian out of Colorado Springs who counsels athletes on about two dozen college and professional teams around the country.

"What’s missing is a steady diet of motivation to get everyone on board the health train. We need to begin mobilizing more church groups, student groups and citizen groups to embrace healthier living as a shared goal that everyone should pursue."

Ellis is revered in the upper echelon of sports as one of the nation’s leading "nutrition coaches" for developing a simple three-step system that encourages athletes to leverage healthy foods to fuel their bodies.   Ellis teaches that properly fueled athletes can improve performance and speed recovery.  Top coaches, athletes and health care providers call upon Ellis to teach his Fueling Tactics^®sports nutrition system to their teams.

"A well organized approach to educating and feeding athletes can make a difference, especially at the highest levels of sport," said three-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots. "Dave’s Fueling Tactics system is a time-tested performer."

In the wake of scandals today relating to steroids, human-growth hormone and other performance-enhancing substances, Ellis' "food-first" nutrition approach is earning him growing respect.  And he’s sharing his Fueling Tactics system for the first time this month by releasing one-hour and two-hour videos on DVD that outline the same "fueling" approach he's been teaching top athletes for decades.  The DVDs are on sale at Ellis' web site: www.fuelingtactics.com.

"Dave sold us on the team approach of health when he spoke to a group of about 75 from our congregation earlier this month," said Pastor Mike Booth of the Emmaus Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. "We're going to ask about 100 members, regular folks, not necessarily athletes, to come together this fall to see how well Fueling Tactics works when we all do it together."

Ellis says more community leaders need to seriously consider the damaging effects that obesity is having on America’s collective physical and financial health.  About one-third of U.S. children are overweight, or at risk of becoming overweight, according to the annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Obesity is a time bomb that very often explodes into heart disease and Type II diabetes," says Ellis.  New information has not stemmed the rise in obesity. Better methods of motivation are required. 

Ellis motivates athletes by simplifying the ever-changing world of nutrition into three steps: fresh produce to prevent illness; complex carbohydrates to generate energy; and lean proteins to rebuild damaged muscle tissue.

The Fundamental Fueling Tactics DVD is aimed at athletes, comes with two food-first posters, and sells for $20.The two-hour Advanced Fueling Tactics DVD is intended to help coaches, athletic trainers and teachers educate students.  It comes with 25 food-first posters and costs $99.

Media alert:                Excerpts from the DVDs and the following news items are available at www.fuelingtactics.com:

·          Top 10 Fueling Tactics Tips

·          Fast Facts Sheet

·          Ellis photo and backgrounder

·          Food-first Fueling Tactics poster

Media Contact:            John LeGear 708-974-3153 (john@timcomm.com)