Where were you Election Night? We all watched as the world shifted to a new politics, a new culture, a new hypo-allergenic puppy we will now all share. Barack wanted to Bring Us Together, and now he has in some global way that still feels transformational and sweet to a wide, diverse, peace-loving, still celebrating world. And how about those gracious words from good soldier John McCain and a welcoming President Bush? Are we having our Harmonic Convergence four years early? We live in such exciting times.

I watched from my old stomping grounds, Grant Park, remembering the 1968 Democratic Convention riot, thinking how proud the Peaceniks would be. I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, a shameless South Sider, and that was me just three football fields away from the main stage, jumping up and down, hugging strangers, swept along by the energy and grace of both the moment and the movement. They had run such an impressive, calm, focused — I like to call it healthy — campaign.

Happily, I was never called upon to chant Yes We Can, Yes We Can, but the spirit of change — of hope and optimism and connecting to like-minded others celebrating all around the park, the city, the world — made it a night to write about, a ticket and a t-shirt to save.

And what does all of this have to do with healthy lifestyle issues? Everything, my friends. A No Drama Obama presidency brings to power a whole new group of guys and gals. How can I say this? The ones leaving never pushed alternative energy and thought we could fix the economy with shopping sprees. The ones coming in drive hybrids with Peace signs, and will kindly ask you to plant gardens and do more with less.

Can I make the case for Barack Obama being the first president of the Healthy Lifestylers — a party within two parties that never says no to a party? Yes I can. It's a slam dunk.

Do you know what our president elect did for two hours in Chicago on Election Day? He played basketball! The most in-demand person in the country on the most important day of his life takes a couple of hours to shoot hoops and play with his pals. Fist bump!

That's what living a life in balance looks like. The younger generation covets that. Conscious boomers do, too. He's our next president, he's a loving husband, he's a relaxed and devoted daddy. That's the kind of change the women's movement was about — and still is. So what if he craves a smoke every now and then? I quote: The perfect is the enemy of the good.

"Change has come to America," Obama said in his speech that magical night. One big change that's coming has to do with Health Care reform. And guess what's at the heart of his new health care plan? Prevention! (Free advice: If it isn't, it should be). I'd bet my Lifecycle that the Obama team totally gets it that increasing the supply of mediocre U.S. medical care is not the answer. The smart move is to lower the demand, and the one sure way to do that is to inspire, incentivize, reward healthier lifestyle choices.

Can't you just hear Barack now? Ask not what your exploding health care system can do for you, but what you can do to stay healthy and out of it. Exercise. Eat smart. Take personal responsibility. Revitalize community health centers. Strive for balance in your work/family life — Michelle's stated mission, along with community-based volunteering. And how's this for an Obama-approved signature message: Turn off the TV.

Soon-to-be Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said something so interesting on his first round of Sunday talk show appearances: "We need the middle class to be strong and resilient going forward," he said, with that lean and ready look. "[Barack] will teach them."

Will he teach us his jump shot, too? How he maintains his Zen-like calm, turning crisis to opportunity, filtered water to pinot noir?

Change has come to America, and it values the values of healthy living. "The climb will be steep, the road will be long" — calling for patience and forgiveness — but we will get there." And reaching across the aisle will become everyone's favorite sport.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! YOGA ON THE WEST LAWN JUST NOW COMING

"While we breathe, we hope." — President-elect Barack Obama

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 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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