Energy Express by Marilynn Preston

I confess I grabbed my pom-poms and did a little South Shore High School victory dance around the kitchen when I heard about the first lady's "Let's Move" initiative. I can't help it. I'm an optimist by nature, and I've been tracking on kid fitness issues long enough to remember ironing my gym suit.

When I see that finally, at the highest levels of government, there is a comprehensive, collaborative, some would say wildly ambitious White House initiative to help children lead healthier and happier lives, I reach for the bubbly (organic) and propose a toast:

"Here's to the end of toxic waste in lunchrooms ...

"Here's to safe playgrounds and on-site coaches specifically trained to inspire and strengthen girls and boys, physically, mentally and emotionally ...

"Here's to a whole country of well-fed, physically active kids who do their beloved yoga routine every day, and live within biking distance of a free fitness facility, and have enough mind-body awareness to eat real food and stop before they're stuffed ...

OK, I get a little carried away when I think about how much better life could be for our children. Let's face it, as Mrs. Obama graciously reminded us last week in her kick-off kick-butt press conference, kids are fat and unfit because we adults $!#$ed up.

We preached to our little ones about being healthy and strong, while in our homes and schools we ignored nutrition, left the TV on, cut out physical education, eliminated recess, and let our city parks and playgrounds devolve into danger zones of drugs and despair.

You know the statistics. What you may not know is that you play a critical role in solving this problem. The Let's Move campaign is a call to action. They want a grassroots dialogue? Let's give it to them ... loud and clear.

If you'd rather your kid start his day with meditation instead of medication, speak up. No affordable fresh food in your neighborhood? No gym, no parks, no qualified coaches? It's unacceptable! Be bold, and don't back down when the bureaucracy shrugs and Big Business spins its mighty wheels.

Taxing 12 ounce sugared sodas would raise $51.6 billion over a decade. That would finance playgrounds, after-school fitness programs and farmer's markets in every neighborhood — what a delicious thought.

Over the next 90 days, the "Let's Move" movement is taking testimony on line.

Go to www.letsmove.gov, and sign up for a free newsletter. I did, and got an immediate thank you with the word "obesity" misspelled. No one said achieving the lofty goals of "Let's Move" would be easy.

But we must seize the moment. "Let's Move" could be the nonpartisan Tipping Point effort that pushes prevention and wellness programs into our schools, communities, consciousness. That's what real health care reform looks like.

And let's demand the fix come quickly. Right now, on the White House site, the anti-obesity initiative gives school food companies FIVE YEARS to reduce toxic sugars and fats. How about five weeks? And I almost fell into my composter when I read that they have up to 10 YEARS to double the amount of fresh produce.

What a load of rotten tomatoes. Team Obama has given the anti-obesity Task Force 90 days to draw up an action plan. I say give your partners in progress another 90 days to comply. Schools across America need a kitchen makeover, fast. On reality TV shows, they do it in 90 minutes. Ten years to double produce is a laugh line on Leno.

I have other thoughts, too, and many of they stem from my ongoing work with "Girls in the Game," a remarkable kid fitness nonprofit based in my hometown of Chicago. (www.girlsinthegame.org)

In the interest of full disclosure and transparent joy, I was founding chair 15 years ago and am still on the board, and I'm wildly proud of our proven, life-changing, holistic/mind-body programs. The acclaimed and accomplished Amy Skeen, GIG's executive director, is an expert on what works and what doesn't. Short-term interventions and glossy brochures don' t change lives. Year-round, twice-a-week, healthy lifestyle programs that build self-esteem and make fitness fun and rewarding do.

I'll share more of Amy's deep understanding, and frustrations in a future column. For now, please, let's move.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! T-SHIRTS, TIPS AND SLOGANS ARE NOT ENOUGH

"Instead of just worrying and wringing our hands, let's do something. ... Let's act ... let's move ... let's get this thing done!" — Michelle Obama

Marilynn Preston is the creator of Energy Express, the Emmy-award-winning reality TV series for kids about sports, fitness and adventure. Her Energy Express column is 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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