National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

03 May 2007 07:25 AM

Did you know that May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month? It seems very appropriate for this month to be the month that we celebrate and educate ourselves about fitness and sports. There are a lot of things we do know. For example, we know that:

• Regular physical activity is good for us
• Healthy habits are important
• Incorporating exercise into our daily lives is a key to better health
• Sports teach teamwork, discipline and patience
• Getting outside promotes good health and physical fitness
• We all want a more active lifestyle

These are the things we know. We may need to remind ourselves about what we know, daily, but we do know these things. In a day and age where obesity rates are climbing and Americans are fighting chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes, heart problems and more - it's important to have an annual observance that acknowledges the importance being more physically involved in our bodies and our health.

Today is a day to recommit yourself, you might try writing down the following phrase and keeping it posted somewhere you can see it every day, if not several times a day:

I am important. My body is important. Taking care of me is important. I need to walk more. Smell the flowers more. Be more than I am. I can do this because I am vital and my health is vital. What physical exercise can I do today?

Taking care of ourselves shouldn't be something we look back and say, I should have walked more. I should have drunk less coffee. I should have drunk more water. Instead, it should be about what I can do today. We can't change yesterday, we can't go back and eat fewer sweets and we can't make sure we keep up with our exercise program yesterday.

Today and tomorrow, however, are in our hands. What we do with them, is our choice. How can you recommit to your health and well being this month? I'd love to hear from you. This is what our President had to say about National Physical Fitness & Sports Month:

My Administration is committed to helping ensure the good health of all Americans. This year is the fifth anniversary of the HealthierUS initiative, which helps Americans improve their personal health and fitness and prevent disease. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is spreading the message that a healthy America is a country that is physically active.

Additionally, this year the Department of Health and Human Services and its partners launched a public awareness campaign to promote exercise and eating well to America's youth. This campaign encourages kids to "Be a Player: Get Up and Play an Hour a Day." To find out other ways to improve health, Americans can visit fitness.gov or presidentschallenge.org. By making physical fitness a priority, our citizens can help prevent disease and live healthier lives.

NOW, THEREFORE I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2007 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. I call upon my fellow citizens to participate in athletic activities and make physical fitness a priority in their lives. I also encourage individuals, schools, and communities to celebrate this month with appropriate activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

How will you celebrate?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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