Editorial

President's Challenge open to Baby Boomers

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

We've promoted the N-Lighten Nebraska program in the past, but we noticed a new way for the Baby Boomers among us to relive old days and improve our health.

Remember the President's Challenge youth fitness test you used to do in school? The program, which began back in 1966, has been expanded to become the National President's Challenge, open to everyone age 6 and older, including people with disabilities.

To complete the challenge, adults 18 and older need to be active 30 minutes a day, five days a week, while youth aged 6-17 need to be active an hour a day.

Registration begins March 1, and the event kicks off March 20.

"The National President's Challenge is a great way for Americans of all ages and abilities to challenge themselves to become healthier and lead more active lives," said Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H. "Physical activity is incredibly important for living well and living longer because it helps us maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and reduce the risk of many serious diseases, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression."

Best of all, it's free.

Participants can set goals, log their activity, see their progress and challenge themselves to become healthier. They can also join as an individual or with a groups -- a great way to get friends, family and co-workers moving.