National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

Letter from the Executive Director

Encouraging Americans to get Active and Play in May

Since 1983, May has been observed as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Individuals and organizations across the country have joined in the fun to help promote awareness of the value of physical activity in the pursuit of a happier, healthier, and more productive nation.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month serves as a great opportunity to encourage physical activity and healthy eating habits, and to highlight the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition's (PCFSN) mission to engage, educate, and empower all Americans across the lifespan to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and proper nutrition. We want everyone to know that being physically active is not only important for one's health, but it is fun and easier than most people think.

One way to make physical activity part of your daily life is to sign up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), which allows people of all ages to receive presidential recognition for being active. The six-week program is designed to motivate participants to be physically active on a regular basis by allowing them to participate in daily activities they enjoy, like walking the dog, taking a bike ride after dinner with family or friends, or power walking outside with colleagues during lunch.

For information about PCFSN, log on to the President's Challenge to start your physical activity and fitness program.

Join the conversation online and follow the #PCFSN hashtag to stay up-to-date on National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, as well as PCFSN news and updates.

Best,
Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director
President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

National Physical Education and Sport Week

This year's theme for National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1-7) is Let's Move in School (LMIS). This national initiative encourages an increase in physical activity before, during, and after school. All U.S. schools are invited to help children achieve 60 minutes of movement per day, which will help improve their health and academic performance. More than 800 schools have already signed on to host a LMIS celebration during May 1-7.

Join the MOVEment – are you up for the challenge? You can find more information at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance's Web site, and offer your support by "liking" the Let's Move in Schools Facebook page.