THE FAIRMONT FIVE get moving for physical fitness month

The President has officially declared May National Physical Fitness month.  Today in America, one-third of all children and two-thirds of all adults are overweight or obese.  It's a serious problem, but taking steps to get healthier is actually lots of fun.  You don't have to overhaul your daily family routine to fit in a little more fitness.  Here are some simple ways to get moving this May:

1. Walk the dog. Fido needs his exercise too, so why not round up the whole family for a brisk trot around the block.
2. Pull weeds. Yard work can be very constructive exercise. Make a game of pulling weeds, raking up debris, and riding in the wheelbarrow.
3. Play hopscotch. Get out the sidewalk chalk and invite the neighbor kids over for an afternoon of hopscotch.
4. Have a hula hoop contest. If you have a few hula hoops collecting dust in your garage, great!  If not, a 30-minute dance party works just as well for showing off those moves.
5. Jump rope. Take it from Rocky Balboa, this is one effective way to get in shape.  Boys love the challenge of jumping rope and girls love the sing-song schoolyard chants.

Photo from letsmove.gov

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools