Energy Express by Marilynn Preston

When it comes to getting TV cameras to focus on "Let's Move!" — the White House anti-obesity initiative to inspire kids to eat their broccoli, grow their muscles and ride their bikes — first lady Michele Obama is a role model of shamelessness.

To celebrate its second anniversary, she challenged Ellen DeGeneres to a drop-down push-up contest ... and won. She battled Jimmy Fallon in dodge ball and a potato sack race ... and won. She hand-delivered Jay Leno some baked sweet potato fries — Jay loves his cars but hates his veggies — and a day later, she was movin' and groovin' in Iowa, learning a crazy hot version of an aerobic dance called the Interlude, with thousands of kids joining her, jumping side-to-side, bouncing up-and-down, arms pumping, heart thumping.

"We may look back and say she saved more lives than anyone else in the administration," said senior White House strategist, David Axelrod. "It's obviously something she feels passionate about."

Three cheers for the first lady. Getting kids and their parents to live a healthier lifestyle is her passion, just like fashion, and we are all benefitting. Slowly but surely — too slowly for me — schools around the country are serving up tastier and healthier meals, encouraging more physical activity, creating school wellness councils. It's only a start. It's only been two years. There is so much more to do.

So what are YOU doing to help the cause? Are you as strong and passionate as the first lady when it comes to helping your own kids eat smart, exercise more and handle the stress that is part of their every day life?

Even if you'll never beat Ellen in a push-up contest, let alone crush Jimmy Fallon in dodge ball, here are some things you can do, starting today:

TURN OFF THE TV AND ALL SMALL-SCREEN DEVICES. Technology is addictive. It's true for adults, and it certainly is true for kids, who spend between four and seven hours a day — and more! — sitting, watching, texting ... time they could spend riding their bike, tossing a Frisbee, shooting baskets, planting a garden. It's up to you, the parent in charge, to set limits, as challenging as that might be.

To lighten your load, engage your kid in setting the rules.

Let them know they need to get an hour of physical activity in, every day, before technology takes over. How and when will they get their 60 minutes in? You ask the question; then be quiet and let them own their own answers.

— BE A ROLE MODEL. Telling your kid to exercise regularly and eat well doesn't mean squat if you're unwilling to lead the way. Teach by example. Be around for the grandchildren. Make physical activity a priority in your day. Plan active outings for the whole family: walking after dinner, biking to the grocery, weekend hikes in nearby parks.

— RAISE HEALTHY EATERS. This isn't easy, but it is possible. No parent wants to raise a fat kid who is bullied at school, at risk for early onset diabetes and heart disease, low on self-esteem. It all starts in your kitchen. Get rid of the junk food. Keep out bowls of healthy snacks: apples, oranges, nuts, popcorn, raisins. Coax your kid into helping you prepare easy, healthy meals. Read labels with them. Avoid processed foods with long lines of ingredients you can't pronounce.

Be patient: A child may need eight to 10 tastes of a new food — broccoli with cheese? Carrots dipped in hummus? — before it becomes a habit. Don't talk about dieting. Eat real food.

—ADDRESS THEIR STRESS. How do your kids handle their stress now? Please don't name a drug. An hour of active play a day will help. So will classes in yoga and meditation, both proven to help kids relax, focus and perform better at school.

— CHECK OUT WWW.LETSMOVE.ORG. This site is filled with fitness tips and encouraging updates to help parents raise healthier, happier kids. It lets you know you're not alone in the struggle and also gives you the tools to go to your school principal or PTA and get involved in whatever wellness policies they have in place.

First lady Michelle may inspire millions, but it's your responsibility to make it happen for your child, one green bean at a time.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! AND REPEAT THIS TO YOUR KID EVERYDAY "Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game." — Michael Jordan

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, personal trainer and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She has a website, http://marilynnpreston.com and welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to MyEnergyExpress@aol.com. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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