Michelle Obama: Movin’ and Groovin’

Lead by example…

I’m always looking for inspiration. If your eyes are open enough, you can find motivation for living a healthy life just about everywhere. What’s really awesome is that we have a health-conscious, highly motivated First Lady who’s doing everything in her power to make this country think more about their choices. Pushing to get healthier school lunches in education systems across the country and shed light on childhood obesity, Michelle Obama is showing us what determination is all about.

My mother knows me well and sent me a slew of pictures the other day that she knew I’d enjoy. I almost cried looking at them.

Getting some full-blown sprints in! "I'll race ya!"

Our First Lady has many reasons to be admired, but as a trainer and an advocate for educating everyone around me about health and nutrition, I admire her for her health mission the most. If you haven’t already heard, Mrs. Obama has introduced a childhood obesity prevention initiative called “Let’s Move”. She recognizes that the epidemic of childhood obesity is serious and sad. More and more children are diagnosed as clinically obese every year. This initiative encourages educating yourself and your children about healthier eating and physical activity.

First Lady getting some footwork in with the cones.

But not only did she launch the intiative, she’s actively participating in it. Our first lady traveled down to New Orleans last month to begin the next phase of the Let’s Move! Program that has partnered with the NFL. She got out there and did football drills with the kids and coaches. What hits my heart the hardest is the fact that she didn’t just show up, talk to the kids about being health and active and then leave or watch the activity, she participated in it. One of the best ways to show kids how to live healthier is to lead by example. We can’t expect our kids to know what to do, if we don’t show them.

Standing Long-Jump. Those are hard!

One of the other things I’m most passionate about is working with children. I just got a part-time job coaching basketball to middle school students this past week and I couldn’t be more happy to incorporate fitness and working with our next generation of children. Once we’ve gotten a grasp on our own health and educated ourselves about fitness, we’ll be better equipped to teach our children. And we can even learn WITH our children about what’s good for us, and what isn’t so good.

First Lady Michelle Obama has pushed us to see this epidemic as something we can’t ignore any longer. The pictures throughout this post are proof that if she can do it, so can you. She’s even participating in the “President’s Active Lifestyle Award”. To earn an award, children (or adults) need to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes every day, five days a week, for six weeks.

She definitely worked up a sweat! Love it!

You’re not too old. You’re never too young. If this isn’t inspiration for getting fit, I don’t know what is.

What do you think about our First Lady making it happen? Will you take the challenge?