By this point, I’m sure that anyone reading this blog is very aware of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative. The first lady developed this plan to attack the issue of childhood obesity in America. Obesity in America is an epidemic that is growing out of control. Although there are many different aspects of our culture that we could blame this problem on, the main issue is a lack of education on how to eat healthy and how to get active. Throughout the month of May, we are excited to be featuring a series of blogs on how to live out the Let’s Move initiative to its fullest; kicking off with this article on how to get active!

So, the question is, how do I become physically active? The answer to this question is dependent on your lifestyle. Do you have time to go to the gym? Are you able to squeeze in workout time during your busy day? If you have plenty of time to spare, getting in a good run each day or spending some time increasing your heart rate at the gym are both great options. However, the reality for most of us is that with our busy work and personal lives, we need creative ways to fit physical activity in to our already full schedule.Did you know that the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week in order to be physically active? In contrast, many of us don’t get ANY physical activity each week. Participating in some sort of cardiovascular physical activity most days each week helps increase weight loss as well as reduces your risk for diabetes, heart disease and other related health issues.

Working out at work:

This concept has come a long way from the days of strengthening your tush by squeezing your muscles together during meetings and conference calls! Fitting in a few pushups or simple squats between meetings is a great way to burn extra calories every day. Have you already got some great exercises in mind? If not, something like FitDeck cards may provide exactly the motivation you need!

Working out at home:

The whole purpose of Let’s Move is to get America’s youngest generation up and moving! So, instead of trying to figure out what to do with your kids while working out, you may find it rewarding to figure out how to work out with your kids! Many activities around the house can easily be made in to a solid workout. Try adding in some leg sqauts while you pick up toys. Or, just by carrying the laundry up and down the stairs, you’re sure to burn extra calories.

Not to mention, Spring is in the Air! What better time is there than right now to get outside? Make family walks a tradition in your house. Not only are you setting an example for your kids, it’s a great time to catch up on the day’s events and discuss your family calendar’s upcoming events.

We hope that you have found the tips in this blog helpful! It’s all about finding ways to get active and fight obesity in America, especially childhood obesity! Need some more inspiration? The experienced staff at NCES is always here to help! You can find us at www.ncescatalog.com, chat with us from our homepage, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.