As Arizona’s legislators wrestle with weighty issues during session, the fitness of the state can take precedence over their own health.
Between putting in long hours, navigating stressful negotiations and all of those legislator luncheons, is it possible for lawmakers to maintain a proper diet and exercise routine≠
Arizona Capitol Times sent a survey to all 90 of Arizona’s legislators, asking questions about their general health, fitness routines and eating habits. They were also asked to rate their current overall health on a scale of one to 10. The eight House members and six senators who responded reported they are in pretty good health while conceding that the session does present dietary challenges.
“It’s hard to avoid candy and junk during session because people have it everywhere, they give it to you all the time — and since the work is so miserable, candy often helps,” Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-15, who rated her health “six during session, eight out of session,” said.
Republican Sen. Linda Gray, whose district includes Glendale, said the options offered to legislators are not always shining beacons of health. “It’s really difficult sticking to a diet with a lunch on the lawn nearly every day in session. The refreshments offered in the president’s office are carbohydrates and fat.” The senator rated her health as: “Eight, healthy except for the weight.”
Sens. Amanda Aguirre, a Yuma Democrat who rated her health a survey-high nine, Jake Flake, a Republican whose district encompasses much of eastern Arizona, and many other respondents indicated that they believe avoiding excessive carbohydrate and sugar intake and watching portion sizes are important tenets of their diets. Flake rated his health a “seven or eight.”
Lawmaking over lunch
As anyone who has worked in an office for any amount of time may have noticed, food is sometimes used to entice staff to attend meetings. The same holds true for groups wanting legislators’ ears.
A quick glance at the Capitol event calendar produced by the Arizona Legislative Council reveals that luncheons are scheduled every day for the two remaining weeks in February, with the exception of Friday, Feb. 22 and Friday, Feb. 29. In March, legislators have a luncheon available to them 16 out of 20 weekdays. Friday is the least popular day for luncheons, because many legislators from outside Maricopa County head home for the weekend.
While respondents expressed gratitude for lawn luncheons, responses varied widely.
Gray acknowledged this year’s fare includes healthier options. “At least so far this year there has been the option for grilled chicken or beef and grilled vegetables. Only a few have served the fattening boxed lunch — sandwich, chips and a cookie,” she said.
Rep. Theresa Ulmer, who rated her current health the lowest of the group at five, said the luncheons “usually have good options.” The Yuma Democrat also said, “I am not a picky eater, so it is OK for me.” Ulmer added she has been recovering from a back injury over the past five months and hasn’t hit a golf ball in six months. She has motivation to get back in shape, though.
“I will make sure I am at least an eight in time for the Legislator/Lobbyist Softball Game. I hate to lose and want to make sure I am not sidelined when we taste victory,” she said.
Aguirre said she felt she could eat healthy at events, as long as she stuck to her “portion sizes.”
In sharp contrast, Rep. Ed Ableser, a Tempe Democrat who rated his health a nine, replied with an emphatic “NO!” when asked if he thought the food served at lawn luncheons was healthy. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, when posed the same question, said, “There are very limited choices, and the food is rarely (if ever) healthy. It’s mostly barbeque, hamburgers and ham or turkey sandwiches. Ew.”
Mesa Republican Rep. Mark Anderson, who rated his health a nine, had a different take on barbeque, implicating his fellow legislators and admitting to indulging in the fare from a local restaurant. “If Honeybear’s BBQ was good for you, we would all be in shape,” he said.
Other respondents rated lawn luncheon offerings as “so-so, depending on how much one devours,” or “healthy sometimes,” or “OK if you have willpower.”
Exercise time is created
A person’s diet, while undoubtedly important, represents only half of the health equation. The other is, of course, physical activity. Legislators who responded to the survey were far more united on the topic of working out. Eleven out of 14 respondents, or 79 percent, indicated they exercise regularly. All indicated they would like to or attempt to work out regularly.
Rep. David Schapira, who rated his health an eight, said he plays basketball twice a week at a Tempe park and tries to “get to LA Fitness as often as I can.” It is a priority to the Democrat, whose district includes Tempe. “I make time. I consider it my second job. Teaching is the third, then my business,” he said.
Regular cardiovascular exercise can also have the added benefit of relieving stress, increasing energy and building confidence, said certified professional trainer Jason Bingham, 27, who runs a personal training business and works at the Renaissance Athletic Club on Central Avenue.
“My main goal for my clients is stress relief,” said Bingham, who has been a personal trainer for five years. “I like to convince clients of the overall improvement to their entire lives.”
The clients at his club are for the most part attorneys, business people, lawyers, judges and government employees who all fill the place during the lunch hour. He knows they are busy, but said they can exercise if they really want to. “Walk, take the stairs… really everybody can find 10 minutes to do something. People make time for things they really want to do.”
The club counts former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods as a client. Bingham said Woods comes in regularly to play basketball.
The key to maintaining a successful workout and diet routine is planning, Bingham said. Planning for meals for a week ahead will help people stay on a diet and bringing workout clothes to the office or keeping then in a car’s trunk will ensure a person is always ready.
Ableser runs eight miles four times a week, he said, and wants to add weightlifting to his routine.
Sinema works out at the YMCA in downtown Phoenix and the Phoenix College track area.
Rep. John McComish, an Ahwatukee Republican who declined to rate his health, said he normally exercises three times a week, but the routine is reduced to one or two times per week during session.
Survey results indicate basketball as the most popular form of working out. Anderson plays full-court basketball three times a week at 6 a.m. at a church in Mesa. He also indicated the need to “make time to workout.”
He even has his eye on the ninth floor of the Executive Tower — but not for a gubernatorial challenge. “Put in a basketball court and I will go one-on-one with the governor,” he said.
Other legislators prefer exercising at home or in their hometowns. Republican Rep. John Nelson, whose district includes Glendale, gets the award for most unique response to rating his health: “I am not in the obits.” He said likes to work out at home.
Flake exercises in myriad locations. “I walk the streets in Mesa, walk the cow pastures in Snowflake or walk the treadmill in my daughter’s basement.”
Democratic Sen. Marsha Arzberger, a Democrat representing southeastern Arizona, said she exercises at a club in Phoenix. But when at home in Willcox, the rancher takes advantage of her surroundi
ngs. “I love my mile walk on quiet farm roads while looking at mountains,” she said.
Arzberger, whose husband Gus is a former Arizona legislator, rated her health not with a number, but with the exclamation “great!” She offered a few extra pointers on maintaining good health: “Take time for a good night’s sleep, get a good breakfast and take vitamins,” the Senate minority leader said. “Having a good husband with me in Phoenix is great for my mental and emotional health.”
Club Capitol
Legislators were asked whether they would use a gym if one were constructed at the Capitol. Ten out of 14 said “yes” or “probably.” Several lawmakers included the caveat that it would have to include showering facilities as well, because they didn’t want to legislate sweaty.
Arzberger summed up the health challenges facing her colleagues: “Time is very difficult. I’m not sure I originally signed up for this demanding schedule. However, I still grab a little time to walk, ride a stationary bicycle or lift weights.”