First Lady Announces Fitness Commitments

By Elaine Sanchez  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 - Yesterday I visited the White House to attend a "Let's Move" fitness and nutrition event for children of National Guardsmen and reservists hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. First Lady Michelle Obama navigates an obstacle course during a fitness and nutrition event on the White House's South Lawn, May 9, 2011. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez  The first lady quickly urged the kids to "get moving" along with her at several fitness stations scattered around the South Lawn. With about 80 teens at her side, she danced to Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair," hopped through hula hoops in an obstacle course, practiced a few lunges, and took a few minutes to toss a football. But before she broke a sweat, the first lady first unveiled three new "Let's Move" commitments specifically designed for military kids and teens. They include: -- Members of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition have committed to doing a special series of events and outreach with military families all across the country. Among upcoming events, championship NASCAR driver Carl Edwards will visit military bases in connection with his weekly races, and former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, along with a team of wounded warriors, will start climbing Mount Kilimanjaro today. -- The International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association will offer free memberships to immediate family members of actively deployed National Guard and Reserve members. Starting June 1, people can log onto the Let's Move website to find a club in their area and sign up for free. -- Also for these families, the American Council on Exercise has agreed to provide at least 1 million hours of free personal training and fitness instruction. Obama encouraged military families to visit the Let's Move website to learn more about these commitments. For more on this event, read my American Forces Press Service article, "First Lady Invites Guard, Reserve Kids to Fitness Event." For more military family-related posts like this one, visit the Family Matters Blog or check out Family Matters onFacebook or Twitter.

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