The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition has been instrumental in bringing attention to the many benefits that can be gained from physical activity, including the Let’s Move campaign. Launched by the First Lady, the Let’s Move initiative is dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity, providing workable strategies to help parents and caregivers support healthy choices. Nearly one in three children in America are currently overweight or obese. Many of the health problems associated with obesity in children and teens are the same as those for adults, and obese children are more likely to become obese adults. Weight issues also impact self-esteem. To learn more, go online to www.letsmove.gov.
Where to start? Some tips:
Make it a family affair, keep it simple, and have fun. Take your kids to the park, toss a Frisbee, sign up for fitness event. Go biking or hiking, plan an active vacation, or set aside times and days designated as family fitness days, where each person gets a turn choosing the activity.
Walking is the easiest and most convenient way to get into the habit of exercising. If you aren't used to long bouts of activity, you can start with 15 to 20 minutes of walking and add minutes or increase pace as you get stronger.
Keeping an activity log is helpful. Make note of date, time, type of activity, frequency and duration. Doing so will allow you to track progress and better gauge when its time to step it up to the next level of fitness.
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