Do you remember being a kid in school and your gym teacher telling you about the President’s Council on Physical Fitness award? I remember thinking that would be cool, but I was never motivated enough to actually go for it.
I am facing the prospect of vacationing for more than half of the month of July. I admit that I am downright giddy at the prospect. I am also thinking that I really need to kick the exercise and weight loss efforts up a notch or two in anticipation of a vacation. I have been thinking about it for a week now. I had a few things in mind and then I found something that really peeked my interest.
Did you know that there is a President’s Challenge Program for big kids like us too? I had no idea. Absolutely anybody can join. The President’s Challenge is for everyone: fitness beginners, weekend warriors, athletes, physical education teachers and kids. They take staying active beyond the school gym and into everyday life. Needless to say, I am now an active participant.
I have chosen to go for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA). To quote the website, here’s what it is…..The PALA challenge is easy to fit into your busy schedule. Adults, your physical activity goal is 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. Children and teens 6-17, your goal is 1 hour of activity a day. (But you’re young—you can do it!)
To get started with your healthy eating goals, all you have to do is select one goal to focus on your first week. (There are eight goals to choose from.) Each week you will add one new healthy eating goal while maintaining your goal(s) from the week(s) before.
Meet your physical activity and healthy eating goals for six out of eight weeks, and you’ll earn a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. If you become hooked on feeling great (and that’s a side effect of regular physical activity and healthy eating), set higher goals and move up to the points-based Presidential Champions challenge. You earn points for your PALA physical activities too, so you’ll get credit for them in Presidential Champions.
I am only on day 3 of this challenge, but I am loving it. I’m excited at the end of the day to log the exercise I’ve done. I can even log my steps from my Fitbit. I have great confidence that this is going to help me with my extra efforts for that vacation body.
Now, it’s your turn. Who wants to join me? I can’t wait for this first eight weeks to be done. I will be the big dork who actually orders the award. I will put it by all my 5k and half marathon medals. I worked hard to earn those too. They all have a place of honor and this award will too. Like I said, who’s going to join me?
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