Fitness is Fun!
March 2005

Opportunity for Co-sponsorship of the HealthierUS Fitness Festival
The office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport has announced the opportunity to co-sponsor a fitness festival in May, National Physical Fitness and Sport month. The purpose of the HealthierUS Fitness Festival is to motivate individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles by providing access to a wide variety of information and demonstrations. Both Federal and non-Federal public and private sector entities may apply for co-sponsorship. The fitness festival will take place on May 2, 2005, from 10 to on the Mall in DC between 1^st and 4^th Streets SW. It is free and open to the public. People of all ages will learn about different organizations and their resources, be able to try the latest equipment and activities and participate in special exercise demonstrations. We encourage everyone to attend if possible for a fun and educational experience! Contact Chris Spain via fax (202-690-5211) or phone (202-690-5148) to learn more or to apply to participate in the exhibit.

Presidential Partners in May to Get America Moving
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports invites organizations, communities who are celebrating events with a physical activity and fitness component to join us as Presidential Partners in May to Get America Moving during May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This way, not only will you be highlighting your day/week/monthly celebration but also, the PCPFS will highlight your activity on our websites. Contact Chris Spain via fax (202-690-5211) or phone (202-690-5148) if you are interested in obtaining more information.

Best States for Fit Kids
Child Magazine has released its ranking of the top states in America for raising healthy children. The magazine's five month long study examined mandated school fitness and nutrition policies as well as other factors relating to healthy lifestyles, including the availability of safe playgrounds, rates of participation in youth sports, and the number of fast-food restaurants. Results of the research revealed that only one state requires physical education class daily, and only two-thirds teach elementary school students about nutrition. While no state is without some flaws, the top states have adopted policies intended to enhance the health of its youth. To see where your state ranks, and what you can do to improve the ranking, visit http://www.child.com/kids/health_nutrition/fittest_states.jsp?page=9.

Florida School Meal Program
School menus have changed for four Florida schools in an attempt to assess how healthier breakfast and lunch foods would fare among elementary school children. Six schools are taking part in the study headed by a research center founded by Dr. Arthur Agatston, the author of "The South Beach Diet," including two with unchanged menus that are serving as controls. The other four schools have gone through a menu makeover, replacing white bread with whole wheat, white potatoes with sweet potatoes, and grilled foods rather than breaded or fried. At the beginning of the school year, students were weighed, heights measured, and blood pressure and pulse were recorded. The same measurements will be taken again in April and the success of the program will be evaluated. For the complete article, visit http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/03/06/school.menus.ap/index.html.

Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Activity Study
Do you know someone who has a spinal cord injury? A study is being conducted on health and exercise or physical activity for people with spinal cord injuries. Requirements are having the injury for at least one year, be 18 years or older, read and speak English and live within the United States. For more information call 1-866-380-4344 or contact Matt Kehn, matthew.e.kehn@medstar.net.

Ask the Expert
During the month of March the International Council on Active Aging's expert will be Terry Ferebee Eckman, Ph.D. She specializes in fitness and wellness programming for older adults. To view her biography or to ask a question visit http://www.iacc.cc/asktheexperts.htm.

Fitness Spotlight - User Spotlight
Nalini, a 46-year-old office manager for the Department of State in Washington D.C., has recently discovered how fun and rewarding physical activity can be. Through The President's Challenge, Nalini has been able to track her progress daily on her road to better health. Read on for some ideas and inspiration from this dedicated user.

How did you hear about the President's Challenge?
In 2004, former Secretary of State Colin Powell encouraged State Department employees to engage in a healthier lifestyle by promoting physical activity through the Healthier Feds Physical Activity Challenge, a direct link to the President's Challenge. Curious about the various categories offered, I explored the program and when I saw rowing as an option on the list of activities, I was thrilled.

How long have you been rowing, and what sparked your interest?
Rowing has been my answer to a mid-life crisis. I have been rowing crew with a Masters rowing club in northern Virginia since June of 2004. I initially started rowing on ergonomic rowing machines at a local gym as a way to lose weight, and continue to use the indoor rowing center as a way to improve my technique and performance on the water. Rowing is a low-impact yet highly effective cardiovascular way to get in shape and stay in shape.

What are some of your accomplishments so far?
Since October, I have earned a bronze and a silver award in the Advanced Presidential Champions program. I'm well on my way to earning the gold! I proudly display my awards and medals in my office, and several co-workers have taken notice and started participating themselves. More importantly, though, I have dropped the extra weight that I originally set out to lose, and in turn have decreased my body mass index (BMI) and have lost several dress sizes. I have a lot more energy and I am a better performer at work.

Do your rowing teammates participate in The Challenge as well?
We are in the process of putting together a group so we can do the Champions program together.

Do you think that The Challenge has helped to motivate you?
Absolutely! The program is easy to use, and it takes just a few minutes each evening to log my activities. Earning the medals and receiving a signed certificate from the President is very motivational.

What advice would you offer to people who would like to start to be active?
Get advice from your health professional before beginning an exercise program. Start out slow and start out easy. Find a routine that feels comfortable and that works for you!

Do you have a fitness question or know someone that should be profiled? Contact the President's Challenge via email at preschal@indiana.eduand attention Fitness is Fun.

Program Spotlight - Physical Fitness Test
Spring is a great time to test your student's physical fitness and see how they have improved over the year. The five events test for muscular strength and endurance, cardio-respiratory endurance, speed, agility and flexibility. Students taking the Challenge can earn the Presidential, National or Participant awards according to their level of fitness.

When testing use the student's age on the initial day of testing. Help students be aware of proper technique for each test. There is no limit to the number of trials a student can have for each event. A complete listing of test options and percentiles is available in our 2004-2005 brochure or on our Web site http://www.presidentschallenge.org. Under Teachers click Program Details, select Physical Fitness Test, events or qualifying standards.

Program Spotlight - Fitness File
Fitness File is a free tool available to those administering the President's Challenge Physical or Health Fitness tests. This tool allows instructors to track student's progress, calculate awards, print out reports and make recommendations. To get started a coordinator needs to register and input instructors and students. Instructors will be emailed their instructor code, school code and a temporary password.

Once logged in as the instructor, a new test will need to be created and student's assigned to the test. There are spreadsheets available to download for both coordinators and instructors to make entering student's information and test scores easier. After test scores have been entered the student's award will be calculated and reports will be available to be sent home.

To get help with Fitness File questions please contact customer service 1-800-258-8146 or email preschal@indiana.edu.

Advocate Spotlight - Burger King Corporation
The Burger King Corporation is teaming up with the President's Challenge to help America's kids get active and stay fit. Burger King Corporation is proud to have sponsored the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) and the Physical Fitness Awards in 209 participating schools within 206 DMA's across the United States during the spring of 2004. These schools provided opportunity for 65,882 badges to be awarded from the President's Challenge through the sponsorship of Burger King Corporation. In 2005, Burger King is sponsoring even more schools and providing 100,000 Presidential awards. This partnership is great way for kids to get active, stay fit and to learn the impact exercise can have on their lives. Visit http://www.burgerking.com and click on "kids" to learn more.