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  5. National Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+)

Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+)Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+)

  • Oct. 1 – Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Exit Disclaimer – Sponsored by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Saturday is a great opportunity for you to pass on your passion for pedaling to kids! Whether you're biking the trails or taking a leisurely ride through your neighborhood, be sure to log your PALA+ activity.
  • Oct. 3 – Child Health Day – First proclaimed in 1928 by President Calvin Coolidge, Child Health Day reminds us to focus on the health and well-being of children across the nation. Support the development of children in your community by encouraging physical activity and good nutrition – habits that will stay with them for a lifetime.
  • Oct. 5 – Walk to School Day Exit Disclaimer – What better way to make physical activity part of your routine than by commuting on foot? Hop on board the trend of "walking" school busses or mark your calendar with days for you and your children to hit the pavement on the way to school.

Last September, during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative launched the Million PALA Challenge to encourage Americans of all ages and abilities to get physically active.

At Worldwide Day of Play on September 24, 2011 – just 12 months after the challenge was issued – we proudly announced that you earned 1.7 million PALAs – including thousands earned with the support of great organizations.

Congratulations to those who took the first step toward jumpstarting an active lifestyle!

Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+) – the next phase of PALA – is the next step to continue being healthy or find inspiration to get on the right track.

The new and improved PALA+ incorporates both regular physical activity and good nutrition to lead a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the previous physical activity requirements of 60 minutes per day for children and 30 minutes per day for adults, PALA+ will challenge you to set and track goals for eating healthy. Each week, commit to a new goal, and then once you've achieved six different goals, you'll be on the way to a healthier lifestyle. The goals include:

  • Making half your plate fruit and vegetables,
  • Making half the grains you eat whole grains,
  • Choosing fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt, or cheese,
  • Drinking water instead of sugary drinks,
  • Choosing lean sources of protein,
  • Comparing sodium in foods like soup and frozen meals and choose foods with less sodium,
  • Eating some seafood, and
  • Paying attention to portion size.

Anyone who is 6 years old or older is welcome to participate in the free program, including those who already earned their PALA. Begin by creating an online account with President's Challenge Exit Disclaimer (or use your existing account from earning your PALA) to start logging your physical activity and work towards your goals for health eating.