Log In | Register
WASHINGTON — Joined by standout athletes, from tennis great Billie Jean King to basketball's Grant Hill, first lady Michelle Obama on Monday announced three new physical fitness opportunities for military families.
Mrs. Obama said the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association would offer free memberships to immediate family members of actively deployed reservists. She said the American Council on Exercise would provide at least 1 million hours of free personal training. The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition — composed of athletes, nutritionists, pediatricians, trainers and educators — will hold a series of events with military families.
She said fighting the epidemic of childhood obesity has to be a family effort and "it doesn't take money," suggesting long walks after dinner or dancing in the living room.
"This isn't about physical prowess," she said. "It's about movement. And we have to go from sitting to standing to walking to moving."
Mrs. Obama was joined by council co-chair gymnast Dominique Dawes, and council members including figure skater Michelle Kwan and Hill of the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets as they led demonstrations at activity stations on the South Lawn. About 80 children and their parents participated in the activities included dancing, ball tossing and a three-part obstacle course.
