As
many of you know, for years I served under President Bush
as the Chairman of President's Council on Physical Fitness
and on the California Governor's Council on Fitness. I declared
war on "Couch Potatoes" and visited all fifty states on
a crusade to promote physical fitness. It was very important
to me then, and now that Maria and I are the proud parents
of four "Schwarzen-Shrivers", the subject is of even greater
importance.
We've made great strides in the last decade, but America
still falls seriously behind other nations in Fitness. Many
of America's youngsters between the ages of 5 and 8 already
show at least one heart-disease risk factor: obesity, elevated
cholesterol or high blood pressure. This is America's secret
tragedy. Most students, male or female, can't run a mile
in less than 10 minutes or do a single pull up. These statistics
are alarming, and the fact is that only WE have the power
to do something about these problems. Already most of you
have come up with ten excuses why you can't do something.
But I don't buy the word "can't". It's not in my vocabulary
and I know you can get it out of yours. Ask yourself, would
you rather get fit and healthier?... or slower... and sicker?
Fitness must start at an early age. We must get daily physical
education back into our schools. I am especially concerned
with states that are doing little or nothing to promote
Daily Quality Physical Education Classes. These classes
not only get young people fit and reduce their cholesterol,
their stress and their health risks, but at the same time
also increase their stamina, their energy and their coordination.
In addition, they also learn valuable tools for life-- discipline,
camaraderie, competition and they gain self-esteem and do
better academically. But most importantly young people learn
how to stay healthy-- and because they feel good about themselves,
they are less likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol.
Parents must insist that school boards support quality
daily physical education. Let me be clear here-- I'm not
talking about fitness only for those who try out for the
school teams. I'm talking about fitness for those who don't
make the teams-- those who aren't the star quarterbacks
or the star basketball players. It doesn't take a lot of
money and fancy equipment... what it takes is will and opportunity.
I've never paid for a push-up or a sit-up in my life and
I've done millions. As parents, we all have the power to
go back to our local community and make changes in our schools.
First, we should put apples and oranges in our vending machines
and take out the junk food. Second, insist we test student's
fitness levels. We test in math, english, science-- why
not test in the area of physical fitness too? Most importantly,
if there is a budget crunch, we shouldn't just cut physical
education completely out of the program-- we wouldn't think
of entirely eliminating math or history-- instead we should
make equal cuts from all subjects. It's just as important
to grow up fit as it is to grow up smart.
But the responsibility for fitness cannot be left entirely
with our schools. Studies show that when families exercise
together, overweight kids lose their extra pounds more quickly
and the whole family achieves a healthier lifestyle. Many
parents say they work long hours and don't have the time.
That's rubbish. If we can watch two hours of television
at night, we can find the time to spend 30 minutes with
our kids to promote fitness and health. And it's FUN! Parents
are looking for ways to communicate with their youngsters.
This is the way to do it--a walk after dinner, a half hour
of playing catch, a bike ride together, kicking the soccer
ball around... there are a hundred different ways. The bottom
line is that if young people don't make the time to get
fit today, they are going to have spend the time at the
doctor's office tomorrow.
Young people are not the only ones at risk. Only a small
percentage of adults in the United States claim they exercise
regularly and far less do vigorously enough to produce cardio-respiratory
benefits. It's no wonder more than 1.5 million Americans,
many of them at the peak of their careers, have heart attacks.
I'm also very concerned about our senior citizens. Those
who don't keep active seem to decline quickly. It's important
to inspire ourselves to exercise regardless of age. We just
have to make adjustments. But no matter how old you are,
there are exercises and stretching routines, and activities
such as dancing and brisk walking, that will keep the cardiovascular
system going.
Get out and do it, America. But don't do it for me, do
it for yourselves. It will be fantastic!
Sincerely,
P.S. Now, drop and give me twenty.
