A Message To You
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,
By Arnold Schwarzenegger
http://www.schwarzenegger.com/
