Kids Can Help You Shape Up

By Dr. Janna Andrews | March 10, 2014 | Fitness

This year marks the fifth anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama‘s ΓÇ£LetΓÇÖs Move!ΓÇ¥ the campaign to raise a healthier generation of our nation’s kids. Since its inception, childhood obesity rates have dropped almost 50 percent for the first time in decades. While children ages 2 to 5 have seen some improvement, older children and adults are becoming more and more obese. The reason why may surprise you.

Health is about how you feel, that is the emphasis, not how you look. The age range that Obama is targeting is young enough that the pressures of image have not yet become an issue. The goal is not to make young girls or boys self-conscious of their bodies, but to build awareness about how their bodies make them feel when they treat them well. And that’s where our lesson plan begins — class is now in session!

Follow the “Let’s Move!” Get Active plan. You need to be active 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week, for six out of eight weeks. Get a pedometer and try to get 10,000 steps daily. Don’t worry how your body looks when you work out, concentrate about how it makes you feel: strong, energized and accomplished.

Improve Your Diet. Follow “Let’s Move!” healthy eating goals. Choose six from this list, and each week add new goal while continuing with your previous goals. By the end of the six weeks, youΓÇÖll be giving your body more of the good stuff it needs. Our fave? Eat some seafood ΓÇô hello sushi!

Color Me Healthy. ObamaΓÇÖs focus now is for schools to stop bombarding kids with visions of less than healthy food choices. Now it’s your turn. Stock up on fruit and veggies in every hue ΓÇô green, yellow, purple, red, orange, blue ΓÇô and create a Crayola-inspired crisper that would make any kid smile.

Michelle Obama has been making the media circuit with Jimmie Fallon and on the Today show, and shooting a PSA with Will Ferrell. Check it below!