Boosting Physical Fitness
Melissa Johnson
Executive Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness
Tuesday, March 30, 2004; 2:00 p.m ET
Since its inception in 1956, the President’s Council has been best known for testing the physical fitness of schoolchildren, an effort that started in 1966. Today, youngsters earn patches for doing such things as curl-ups, pull-ups and walking or running a mile. Since 2001, the council has expanded its mission to boost physical activity in all Americans aged 6 or older.
Melissa Johnson, dancer, former gymnast and executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness was online Tuesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. ET to discuss how to get more Americans active every day.
A transcript follows.
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over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Virginia:
As a kid I was skinny, but uncoordinated and slow. The fitness test always humiliated me, and I avoided gym class as often as possible. Isn't there a way to increase fitness levels for kids without dividing them into "successes" and "failures"?
Melissa Johnson: You're not alone! We still have the President's Council fitness test for kids, but we've added new components to the President's Challenge - - the Active Lifestyle Award and the Champions program. These two programs award participation (rather than performance) - - so now everyone can win a presidential award. We're promoting physical activity and movement: 5 times a week/30 minutes a day for 6 weeks will make you eligible for an award.....and if you continue on w/the Champions program, you can win the bronze, silver and gold medallions - - all for doing exactly what you enjoy (whatever activity that may be!). So presidential awards are now offered to everyone (kids and adults alike). Sign on to www.presidentschallenge.org and get started! Thanks for writing!
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College Park, Md.:
Is there a standard for the number of pushups, pullups, etc. that children should be able to do, according the the Council? If so, are there similar numbers for adults? I'm curious as to how many pushups I should be able to do as a twenty-something woman (I can do 10 before I start to really struggle)?
Thanks for inspiring us to keep fit! washingtonpost.com:
Trying to Move America (Post, March 30)
Melissa Johnson: The standards are different for kids depending on age. Kids fall into varying categories depending on how many pushups and pullups they do (and we award different categories; i.e. presidential for top 85%, national for top 50% and participant award for those below the 50th percentile.) As for you, 10 pushups is great! Keep practicing, do one or two more each week, and you will gradually build your upper body strength. Great job!
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Vienna, Va.:
I like exercise videos also- a great way to start my day! Which yoga and pilate videos do you like?
Melissa Johnson: There are many good yoga and pilates tapes out there to choose from, but I'd like to make you aware of Denise Austin's tapes. She's one of our Council Members appointed by the President, and she has both yoga and pilates videotapes. Have fun!
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washingtonpost.com:
The President's Challenge
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Washington, D.C.:
One of the major barriers to fitness is our car-centric society-- where children used to walk or bike to school, they now ride the bus. Many Americans can't walk to a corner store or playground but instead have to drive everywhere. Do you see neighborhood planning as a hurdle to fitness? Does your organization ever advocate for sidewalks and bike lanes?
Melissa Johnson: You're right. Many Americans rely on the automobile for transportation. Most adults used to walk to school when they were kids, but today's children are chauffeured around for different reasons. It's true many parents are afraid to let their kids play outside or ride their bikes to school for safety reasons, which is a challenge we are all facing. We now have Walk Your Child to School Day in October to promote the benefits of walking to school, and there's an organization called Active Living by Design in North Carolina (funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) that is funding towns/entities/organizations that are building communities that make physical activity accessible and easy (sidewalks, parks, etc). Our Council doesn't actively lobby, but we do encourage and advocate for more active communities. Thanks for your interest.
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Vienna, Va.:
What trends do you see has changed in terms of engaging children in more activities from the 70s until now? I think more parents are concerned about their kids safety and that has made more kids attached to the television or video games after they come home from school.
Melissa Johnson: Kids are much less active than in the 70's for a variety of reasons. The technology boom has literally automated life for us all. Improved technology is great and has helped us all out in many arenas, but there is a trade-off. Physical education is no longer mandated on a daily basis in any state besides Illinois (although every state has their own specific standards for PE), which makes it harder for kids to be active daily. Parents are more concerned about their kids safety for good reasons, and some parents use the TV as a babysitter. Kids and adults both spend more time on the computer, and children watch an average of 18 hours weekly of TV. So in a nutshell, kids are becoming more sedentary both at school and at home. That is the challenge for us all. I believe we can all work together and be part of the solution (kids, parents, educators, civic leaders, corporate America, etc.). That's where the President's Challenge program can help. Points can be earned for any kind of physical activity done in the privacy of home or outdoors. It's a good motivational tool!
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Waldorf, Md.:
I was wondering why there are so many in the fitness industry that stand on an island -- I say I'm right and in the process run other fitness professionals down. To me it seems there is enough to go around for everybody if those in the industry would focus on providing excellent service and stop trying to discredit each other over who has more degrees or certs. What are your thoughts?
Melissa Johnson: Well, I believe the best solution is always found through collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. In terms of the current obesity crisis, no one entity can solve the problem alone. Virtually everyone can step up to the plate and do their part. In terms of the fitness industry, there are many fabulous, qualified fitness professionals out there. I say the more the merrier if we/they are all working to help people improve their health and fitness levels. However, I do think it's important that fitness professionals are accredited or certified by a credible certifying organization. As long as these professionals are qualified, we should all be working together to spread the message and as you wrote, provide excellent service. Too much energy is wasted tearing other people down.
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Deming, N.M.:
What exercise opportunities are available in the office where you work?
Melissa Johnson: The Health and Human Services building here in Washington, D.C. (Humphrey Building)offers an on-site fitness center complete with cardio and weight training equipment, as well as all kinds of fun fitness classes (yoga, dance, toning, etc). It's open all day and into the evening, which allows employees to work out before or after work or on their lunch hour. Secretary Thompson encourages all employees to be active on a regular basis. We even had a "Secretary's Challenge" here in the building, which was a 6-week program that used our President's Challenge website program as the tool to get people moving. We tracked our activity on-line. Check out www.presidentschallenge.org, and you can do the same! Many corporations are adopting this program as their company wellness program.
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washingtonpost.com:
The President's Challenge
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Capitol Hill, D.C.:
What should I do? I'd like to lose weight, but I hate hate HATE exercising.
I guess that it's such a logistical hassle, plus it's NOT FUN. Gyms are boring, and riding my bike around town doesn't make me feel as if I'm getting any exercise, and running is out of the question -- boring AND it hurts.
So what should I do? Is there anything fun, or at the very least, not too boring that I can do?!
Melissa Johnson: First, be patient with yourself! It's really not that bad! Is there any activity that you can think of that you enjoyed as a kid? Sometimes we have to think back and see what was fun for us in our youth - - games? any sports? There are a lot of people who really don't enjoy "exercise," but if you can sneak it in, you may not even realize you're "exercising." Get a pedometer, stick it on your waist belt, and I bet you'll be surprised by the end of the day how many steps you've taken. See if you can work up to 30 minutes a day (which would be approximately 3,000 steps), then slowly try to work up to 5,000. Some people like to make 10,000 daily steps their goal. Are you really social? If so, you may enjoy walking with another person; the buddy system works for a lot of people, because it keeps folks accountable to someone else. Start SMALL and slowly work in other activities. Start just walking on your lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car a little farther from your destination to give you a few extra steps. Slowly but surely, I think you'll see how GOOD movement makes you feel, and you'll actually start looking forward to it. Don't expect overnight results, but remember that every little bit counts!!
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Arlington, Va:
It's great that you're taking this initiative to get people moving. It's also important to remind people that they can encourage their local governments to promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging pedestrian-friendly development. Better sidewalks and crosswalks, more access to public transportation, and multi-use zoning that helps people live near their work are all important ways governments can help citizens built physical activity into their daily lives. Thanks!
Melissa Johnson: Thanks for your enthusiasm and your message of support - appreciate it! In another message, I mentioned Active Living by Design, an organization funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that is giving grants to communities who are doing exactly what you outline here (better sidewalks, more access to public transportation, multi-use zoning, etc.). There is a growing awareness that "built environments" are an essential component to the physical activity issue. Thanks again!
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
Hi Melissa,
What do you think of those people that limit their calories significantly in order to prolong their lives? Are they crazy? Is that healthy?
Melissa Johnson: It depends on how "significantly" these calories are limited, but in general, the President's Council promotes a balanced, sound nutrition program that follows the Dietary Guidelines. The Guidelines are actually being reviewed and evaluated this year (they're reevaluated every five years). We really look to USDA for nutritional recommendations.
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Melissa Johnson: Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions on physical activity. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports encourages you all to stay active! Don't hesitate to use us as a resource, and remember that every little bit counts!
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