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Greetings from the office of the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program! You have received the May 2009 issue of Fitness is Fun, the official email distribution of the President's Challenge. These monthly emails will keep you updated on our programs, activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) and other current information pertaining to health and fitness.
Fitness Question of the Month for May: What do you do when you get bored with your current fitness routine?
Please respond via E-mail to the President's Challenge at preschal@indiana.edu. We'll include the most insightful responses in the June issue of Fitness is Fun.
Have you or someone else motivated a group of children or adults to lead a healthier life? Email us your story at preschal@indiana.edu and it could be featured in next month's newsletter! Be sure to check out a few of the responses we've gotten near the end of the newsletter!
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 PCPFS News
 At the most recent AAHPERD Conference, Penelope Slade-Sawyer, acting Executive Director of the PCPFS, greeted Dr. Yoshio Hatano. In 1965, Dr. Hatano inspired the Kato family to develop an economical, accurate pedometer for consumers, to motivate them to become more active. Dr. Hatano's calculations showed that we should be walking about 10,000 steps a day to burn about 20 percent of our caloric intake through activities. Dr. Hatano is now considered the father of the 10,000 Steps-A-Day movement, and Mr. Yasuji Kato is credited with inventing the first accurate pedometer. Both of these men have now become board members AccuSTEP10000.org. Americans began to adopt this 10,000 Step-A-Day concept in the late 1980's and have seen its popularity grow with the scientific community continuing to research the benefits of taking 10,000 steps a day. AccuSTEP10000.org is an international governing body that was founded in 2003 to develop testing methods, ensure accuracy and create foundations for teaching the 10,000 Steps-A-Day principle. W. Ron Sutton, founder of AccuSTEP10000.org, hopes to standardize testing methods so that all pedometers sold will have an accuracy reading, providing consumers with proper information on the quality and reliability of each unit. 10,000 Steps-A-Day has been proven to substantially reduce health risks that are associated with inactivity. Now this organization will provide everyone with the necessary information on how to live a more active life and use pedometers to get all 10,000 steps in. |
| May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
The Presidential Proclamation for May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month 2009 is now online at:
Stay current with the latest physical activity, prevention, and wellness information by following them at "@healthfinder" on Twitter http://twitter.com/healthfinder. |
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Supporter Network
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in collaboration with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports sponsor quarterly Physical Activity Guidelines Supporter Network events. The purpose of the Supporter Network is to provide a forum for Supporters to share ideas and best practices and stimulate Supporter involvement in encouraging Americans to be physically active based on the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. For information on how you or your organization can become a supporter visit http://www.health.gov/paguidelines.
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President's Challenge The 2009 National President's Challenge: Be Active Your Way in May!
The Challenge runs from May 1 - July 24 and registration is now open until May 29. This is an opportunity to get America up and moving, everyone aged 6 and older is encouraged to participate. All you have to do is be active five days a week for six out of eight weeks, and you can log your activity at www.presidentschallenge.org.
The amount of time you need to be active depends on your age. If you're 6-17 years old, you should be active for an hour per day. If you're 18 or over, 30 minutes per day is all it takes.
For more information about the 2009 National President's Challenge, please read the 2009 Fact Sheet. |
The President's Challenge is now on Facebook
We have started a new group on Facebook called "President's Challenge." This group will provide members with instant news items that relate to the program, and will also announce new program events. To join the group, you must first register your own Facebook profile at http://www.facebook.com/.
Upon successfully registering, please perform the following steps to join the group.
- From the home screen, find the search box in the top right corner
- In the search box, enter the terms "President's Challenge"
- Find the group with the President's Challenge logo, and click on the logo
- Once in the group page, click the link under the logo that says "Join Group"
Upon completing those steps, you will be ready to start receiving the most up to date information about the program and chat with others about all things PC! |
Presidential, National, and Participant Emblem Changes
We now have Presidential, National, and Participant Emblems featuring 2009 embroidered on them. We suggest getting these collectible versions of emblems in order to commemorate the year that the award was earned. Earlier this year we began to phase out the Presidential Emblems #1-12. These items have now sold out. For information on how to obtain the 2009 emblems visit https://www.presidentschallenge.org/order_center/index.aspx. |
Certificates with Presidential Signature
We now have certificates and medals featuring the signature of President Barack Obama. These items are very popular so please order early.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
National Get Outdoors Day
The National Get Outdoors Day Denver event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 3:30pm on Saturday, June 13, 2009. This event encourages starting the summer off with healthy, active outdoor fun for families. Activities will include fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, a volksmarch, and meeting the Power Panther and Smokey the Bear!
American College of Sports Medicine
WHERE: Seattle, WA
WHEN: May 27-30 The American College of Sports Medicine promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life. For more information visit http://www.acsm.org.
Childhood Obesity Conference
WHERE: Los Angeles, CA
WHEN: June 9-12, 2009 The 5th biennial Childhood Obesity Conference is the largest gathering of professionals focused on the prevention of pediatric overweight in the nation with over 1,800 in attendance. The conference is devoted to providing the most pressing and innovative issues related to childhood obesity. For more information, please visit http://www.cce.csus.edu/conferences/childobesity/09/ IDEA World Fitness Convention
WHERE: Anaheim, CA WHEN: July 7-8, 2009 "Join us along with 5,000 fitness professionals from all over the world at the 2009 IDEA World Fitness Convention in The OC (Anaheim), California. Experience the excitement, rejuvenation and education and share our mission to inspire the World to Fitness." For more information, please visit http://www.ideafit.com/conference/idea-world-fitness-convention-2008 "Get Out" Conference
(AAPAR)
WHERE: NH Ski Resort WHEN: December 3-5 2009 Teachers, professors and recreation professionals are encouraged to attend the first-ever winter "Get Out" conference at the Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort in Laconia, New Hampshire. Sessions will include: dressing properly for winter sports; how to purchase and fit equipment; teaching snow sports at your facility; starting a snow sports club; and the basics of snow sports, taught by a certified instructors. Community leaders, snow sports instructors and snow sports industry leaders are expected to attend the conference, in addition to physical educators and recreation professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.aahperd.org/aapar/template.cfm?template=getout.cfm
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Special Feature E-Cards
Two physical activity e-cards have been developed for healthfinder.gov. These cards are featured for the month of May and focus on the National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and on the President's Challenge. Please visit http://www.healthfinder.gov/ecards/cards.aspx
to take a look.
Hopefully these cards will be helpful in your outreach for Physical Fitness and Sports month and any activities at the President's Challenge.
E-card previews:
Paralympic Games
For many years, the Paralympic movement has been almost completely overshadowed by the Olympic Games. Today, support for paralympic competition continues to grow, and in Chicago, IL, there are hopes to host the Paralympic Games in 2016. Kathy Brinker writes, in "The Paralympic Movement", how increased coverage of the paralympic movement can benefit not just its participants but also its spectators. Among many benefits it helps us all to understand that promoting health and active lifestyles must include consideration of individuals with disabilities.
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News & Research Articles
Stretching: Focus on flexibility
CNN.com
By Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)
"You pound out a few miles on the treadmill. You work your way through a series of strength training exercises. You even add some time on the stationary bike for good measure - and you smile with satisfaction that you made it through your workout. Nothing to do now but hit the shower. Not so fast. Did you consider stretching those muscles that pulled you through your invigorating workout? Understand why stretching matters - and how to stretch correctly."
For more information and helpful hints please see link below to read the full article.
To read more, please visit http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/stretching/HQ01447.html Does A Cardio Workout Work Better for Losing Weight?
Worldfitnessnews.com"Yes. OK, now that we've made our point you can read on. No matter how you cut it, there is just no substitute for exercise when it comes to losing weight. Diet is, of course, extremely important and there are other factors also weigh in. But for permanent weigh loss - pounds that you keep off - some sort of aerobic exercise is necessary." Workout Routines and New IdeasMedicineNet.comWendy Oliver-Pyratt, MD WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Sick of your old workout routine? Interested in starting a workout plan but aren't exactly sure how? "These recommendations will help you evolve your workout routine and activity plan. The theme is picking something you love doing, and nurturing your feelings every step of the way. To read more, please visit http://www.medicinenet.com/workout_routines_and_ideas/article.htm# |
Fitness Question of the Month What is the best piece of advice you have been given that has influenced your physical fitness plans?
Since I am overweight, the best advice I have been given is to eat so I can lose weight. Exercising alone is NOT enough if your body think it's being starved; skipping meals are counterproductive. Along with eating a well-balanced meal and watching portion control, I was advised to eat a nice breakfast, a heavy lunch, and a small meal for dinner. This would give my body the opportunity to burn off the calories. It worked; I lost 56 lbs. in seven months!
~Domanic L.
The best advice I have given and practice to this day is, any kind of activity fifteen to thirty minutes, three times a week. It can be walking, gardening, hula-hooping, (yes) hula-hooping. After recovery from a surgery, I discovered (Curves) one of the exercises with a weighted hula-hoop. As a child this was one of my favorite things to do. Just like a bike, you never forget how t ride and it is so much fun.
~Dwinette M.
I teach 7th and 8th grade PE and I also coach girls basketball. In the past I had a problem with lazy students in PE. Many wanted to just sit on the bleachers and socialize with their friends. These students did not like to participate in the daily class activities/games in front of their peers. I came up with a very rewarding solution. I now let them walk laps around the gym and listen to their iPods, etc. Some walk and play hand held video games. You would not believe the turn around it has made. All kids are now active, either by participating in the class activities or by walking. They really enjoy it and I do too.
~Jerry T.
I went to WEMSA conference at the end of January in Milwaukee WI, and one presenter in particular got my attention. He is a paramedic and speaker from Texas and his presentation was on CHF (congestive heart failure). My mom died from those 5 years ago and it was the age that I am now when she first got sick. It scared me enough to find a new doctor, change my lifestyle and eating habits and exercise. I now walk every day or do a cardio workout. I don't belong to a gym, but find plenty of ways to get moving and motivated at home.
~Suzanne E.
The best piece of advice I have received about exercise comes from my personal trainer and he shared it on a day when I was feeling tired, grumpy and wanted to take it easy. Jared told me that on those days when I don't feel like exercising I owe it to myself to TRY my best. Even if I don't have my best workout, I'll know that I gave it my all, and that's what counts.
~Peggy G.
I was starting a regular running program, and the best advice I received was, for each workout, even on the bad and un-motivated days, go 1 mile. If you're still slugging it out and completely miserable, stop. If your body and motivation have caught up at that point, keep going on your program for that day. That freedom to quit if you need to is just what it takes me some days to finish the long haul, and, if not, at least you weren't a total couch potato. The greatest thing is that the advice can be tailored to any fitness level. If you're just a beginner, maybe it's just got 20 minutes.
~Jamie B.
"It don't mean a thing if you don't have that swing" a quote from Duke Ellington. At the suggestion of another ED nurse in 1993, I started taking dancing lessons which is a great way to exercise, get your heart rate up and have fun. I drove from 1 - 1.5 hours to lessons and dancing several times a week and that was my "saving grace" at that time, living in a town/city where there wasn't a lot to do for singles in their 40's - 50's. This also works with country-western, west coast swing, hustle, DC hand dancing, salsa and other dancing is great for exercise.
~Debbie M.
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Motivation Have you or someone else ever motivated a group of children or adults to lead a healthier life?
At Banneker Elementary 2007-08 we started a PE4Life fitness room and a Double Dutch Team. Our PE teacher Ms. King had the grand opening November 15th. Our building received some grants to help buy the fitness equipment and technology we need to start our programs. Sprint gave us over $8,000, Best Buy gave us $2,500, and UMKC extension gave us the Jump Into Action Program. Now instead of 50 minutes of PE, we enjoy two extra 30 times per week of exercise. The fitness lab is great. We have DDR boards, J-Mat, 3 ellipticals, a row machine, 3 treadmills, 5 stability balls, 2 weight benches, a stepper machine, and lots more. We also use pedometers to track our steps, polar watches to check our heart rate and our healthy heart zone, and we have a computer with a LCD projector to show our fitness level charts.
I like to get on the computer and log into PE Challenge to log my steps. We also have a Double Dutch Team that went to Penn Valley College and received 4th Place for State then in May went to Jefferson City for Nationals. The Saint Louis Team won but they have been jumping together since they were 5 yrs old and we just started last year. Our Team is the Bulldog Jumpers and we will work hard this year to make it to the finals. I am the parent of Desiree Freeman and I want to nominate Carri King as an inspiration to all the students at Banneker Elementary K-7th. She wrote the grants, started the programs and is an inspiration to the children.
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Special Thanks!
We would like to extend a special thanks to all of the President's Challenge Advocates. Please visit the Advocates area on the http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ web site to see how companies, organizations and groups are making a difference with the President's Challenge.
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SPOTLIGHT ON ADVOCATES!
Conway Medical Center 
Conway Medical Center takes seriously its mission to improve the overall health of the community. One way it is doing this for the residents of Horry County, South Carolina is through its partnership with the President's Challenge. With 57% of its residents identified as overweight or obese, this state is not immune to the epidemic plaguing the nation. Therefore, it became a focus of Conway Medical Center to motivate residents to practice healthier lifestyles, beginning with the children. With a grant from the hospital's foundation, Conway Medical Wellness and Fitness Center was able to initiate a collaborative endeavor with the President's Challenge and their local school district.
The grant funded the printing of 30,000 newsletters (which were distributed through the schools); provided award packages for the approximately 1000 students who completed the President's Challenge; and allowed for a closing celebration to honor all participants. Conway is working to make this an annual event in an effort to underscore the importance of helping people-kids and adults, lead healthy and active lives.. |
Feedback!
We would like to hear from you. If you have any topics that you would like to see addressed in Fitness is Fun or any comments regarding this list, please let us know. You can provide them by emailing us at preschal@indiana.edu.
To view past issues of Fitness is Fun visit our website: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/. Enter the site by choosing the appropriate category, then click on "news/research".
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