This program truly lives up to its name. The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge will help you add physical activity to your life—and now, it will also help improve your eating habits. (That’s why we’re calling it PALA+.) Get active and eat better, and you’ll feel better, too. Plus, you’ll earn an award.
This challenge is for anyone, from students to seniors, but it’s geared toward people who want to set themselves on the road to a healthier life through positive changes to physical activity and eating behaviors.
Your goals are:
- Physical activity. Adults need to be active 30 minutes a day and kids and teens need to be active 60 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, for 6 out of 8 weeks.
- Our definition of “activity” is simple: it’s any movement that uses large muscle groups as opposed to sitting or lying down. Physical activity doesn't have to be continuous to be healthy, either. Doing chores around the house counts. So does walking to school. But passively playing video games doesn't.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Make half the grains you eat whole grains.
- Choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt, or cheese.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
- Choose lean sources of protein.
- Compare sodium in foods like soup and frozen meals and choose foods with less sodium.
- Eat some seafood.
- Pay attention to portion size.
- Healthy eating. Each week, you’ll also focus on a healthy eating goal. There are eight to choose from, and each week you will add a new goal while continuing with your previous goals. Goals include:
By the end of the six weeks, you’ll be giving your body more of the good stuff it needs.
Have fun! Yes, you need to be active every day, but participants can choose all kinds of activities to meet this goal—playing with the kids, gardening, walking, playing basketball, running, yoga, and more—all while fueling your body with nutritious foods.
Sign up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA+) challenge today, and in six short weeks you’ll be more active, making better food choices, and feeling great! Plus, you can earn an award. How gratifying is that?
