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Congress Fights Off Recession Weight Gain
Posted on Apr 30th 2009 11:30AM by Katherine Tweed
Congress, like most Americans, has a lot on its plate these days. From health care reform and climate change legislation to the continuing financial crisis, officials are putting in long, stressful hours at work. Politico recently reported that they're also not immune to the stress and weight gain that comes with burning the candle at both ends. "I wish I didn't have the five-minute rule. And I wish we didn't have so many members. And I wish I could lose weight without dieting," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told Politico during a drawn out bailout hearing on the Hill last month.
With so many important issues at hand, it is nice to know that Congress is debating on the floor rather than breaking all afternoon to hit the gym. But many politicians are also taking matters into their own hands, from cutting back on cafeteria pie to wearing pedometers.
Click on the gallery below to see how Congress stays trim.
Congress Battles Recession Weight Gain
Barney Frank is just one Congressman lamenting long hours and weight gain on the Hill.
Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) squeezes in exercise whenever he can, often hitting the Senate gym for 30 minutes on the treadmill late at night. He also told Politico the travel and stress definitely makes it tough to eat healthy.
Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Sen. Jim Risch (D-Idaho) nestles a pedometer in his suit jacket (not the best place to accurately count steps) to log his steps between endless meetings in different buildings. He also admits to cutting back on favorites, including apple pie and steak.
Scott J. Ferrell, Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.) says he's shed 40 pounds since President Obama has been in office, making sure that a one-hour daily gym session is locked into his schedule. He has also been eating better, forgoing entire pizzas in the cafeteria.
Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
T. Boone Pickens has been all over Washington D.C. pushing his renewable energy plan and packing on 10 extra pounds. Impressively, the 80-year-old oilman cranks the treadmill to an 8-degree incline at 6:30 a.m.every morning to battle the bulge. He's also off cookies for now.
Mark Wilson/ Getty Images
