Let’s Move!
Small changes in the way your kids eat and how they spend their free time
can make a big difference for their health. Here are a few ideas to test out
with your family—and you can find even more at letsmove.gov.
PHYSICAL ACTIVIT Y
ø For birthdays, give your kids a ball, a kite, or a jump
rope—anything that encourages movement.
ø Take the whole family to s wim at your community
pool or for walks around the neighborhood or hikes on
local trails.
ø Sign the whole family up and try to earn a president’s active Lifestyle award at presidentschallenge.org.
ø Try dancing, jumping jacks or running in place during
t V commercials (you might want to double-fasten your
pictures to the walls first!).
ø Encourage your kids to join a sports team at their
school. they won’t just get in shape; they’ll learn lessons
about discipline and teamwork that they can carry with
them for life.
ø Skip the elevator, take the stairs. skip the bus or car,
and walk with your child whenever possible. and if you
want, skip the walk—and instead, skip!
HEALTHY EATING
ø Get creative and mix veggies into dishes—chopped
peppers in rice, cucumbers on sandwiches, tomatoes
in sauces.
ø Use smaller plates for your kids, and don’t make
the clean-plate club a mandatory membership. Being
full is just fine, too.
ø Don’t forget: Five fruits or vegetables a day. Fresh,
frozen or canned—they all count.
ø Swap out butter with olive oil, white bread for
whole-wheat, and sugary drinks for water, 100 percent
juice or low-fat milk.
ø Test out a new rule for your kitchen: Cookies require
permission, apples and carrot sticks don’t.
Last year, Obama hosted an event at the White
House to kick off the South Lawn Series,
promoting physical activity for area children
in support of Let’s Move!
SPREADING
THE WORD
The first lady’s message of fitness
and nutrition has many advocates
who are helping to change the conversation about healthy living in the
United States
Dan Barber
Owner of Blue Hill and Blue
Hill at Stone Barns, and an
articulate proponent of the
sustainable, farm-to-table
movement. The only chef
who is a member of the
President’s Council on Fit-
ness, Sports and Nutrition.
Drew Brees
Co-chair of the President’s
Council on Fitness, Sports
and Nutrition. He’s the
2009 Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the
New Orleans Saints. Established the Brees Dream
Foundation to advance cancer research and care for
cancer patients, and rebuild
schools, parks, playgrounds
and athletic fields.
Cristeta
Comerford
White House Executive
Chef. The first woman to
hold the post, and also the
first of Filipino descent. She
is known for healthy prepa-
rations and locally sourced
food, and cooks from the
White House garden.
