As part of a great program called Exercise US, children from coast to coast will be creating a continuous wave of exercise for ten consecutive hours today.
Today marks the fourth annual Exercise US Day. At 8 AM (EST) schools in New Jersey kicked off the event by having the children exercise from 8:00-8:15. Once their time slot was over, schools in New York picked up the next fifteen minute slot. This pattern will be going on for ten hours today until the kids on the pacific coast finish up at 3:00 PM (PST).
This impressive wave of youth exercise was started by Len Saunders. Saunders is a physical education teacher in New Jersey and has had a long-time passion for seeing kids get healthy and fit. He is also the author of Keeping Kids Fit.
Saunders has been impacted deeply by the increasing epidemic of childhood obesity. He said,”this could be the first generation of children whose life expectancy may be shorter than their parents. With the rise is type 2 diabetes and other health-related diseases associated with obesity, children need motivational techniques that get them to exercise.”
Today’s event is just one of the ways Saunders attempts to motivate youth to get moving. “The Exercise US program is designed to motivate children to stay fit, and make exercise fun.”
The wave has been in motion for a few hours now and Saunders said he gets feedback throughout the day as the movement spreads across the nation. If your school missed out on a time slot this year, make sure you sign up early for next year’s event. You can claim a time slot at Len’s website, LenSaunders.com.
Saunders’ vision is simple and attainable. Our kids need a fan and easy place to start their life of health and fitness. Fitness brings health, happiness, and even improves learning.
“Children’s lifestyles today are very sedentary, so programs like this get them up and moving. Physical activity not only stimulates the body, but also the brain.”
Hopefully your child will have been a part of this fitness wave today. If not, make sure you get them signed up for next year, or even spend just 15 minutes outside playing together tonight!
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