Why I was Invited to the White House #LetsMove

The White House. It’s a place I’ve visited dozens of times throughout the years. I’ve never actually been inside the White House, I’ve done the touristy photos with the grandeur of it all behind me. It’s a place that – at some point in your life – you need to visit. It’s truly one of those awe-inspiring places that is just so historical and so part of our lives. It’s a bucket list to check off.

2 weeks ago I received one of those work emails that you read over and over again, hoping that what you think you’re reading is actually what you’re reading. Ever get one of those?

I was invited to the White House for a special event with Michelle Obama about her Let’s Move! Initiative.

If you’re not familiar with Let’s Move!, it’s absolutely incredible.

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children.

As many of you know, I’m passionate about keeping my children active and eating healthy. A non-negotiable for me with my children is having 5 couch potatoes. My 5 children are highly active, involved in swimming, baseball, basketball, running and biking. My fridge is constantly stored with healthy fruits and veggies and yummy snacks that are high in protein and good nutrients for them. I grew up in a household where a healthy lifestyle was key, I learned from example… and I want the same for my kids. The reality is that it’s not that way for millions of children in this country and it’s important for us to come together to try to make it a reality for all kids.

It was a dream come true to listen to Michelle Obama speak yesterday about her passion behind Let’s Move! and having her share all that’s been done, all that they’re doing and all that will continue to be done in the future. The stats are truly mind-boggling, listen to this…

  • Thirty years ago, kids ate just one snack a day, whereas now they are trending toward three snacks, resulting in an additional 200 calories a day. And one in five school-age children has up to six snacks a day.
  • Portion sizes have also exploded- they are now two to five times bigger than they were in years past. Beverage portions have grown as well- in the mid-1970s, the average sugar-sweetened beverage was 13.6 ounces compared to today, kids think nothing of drinking 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages at a time.
  • In total, we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were forty years ago–including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. The average American now eats fifteen more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970.
  • Eight to 18-year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including, TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies, and only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity.

We need to do what we can as a nation to come together and be healthy. We need to keep everyone moving and keep the momentum going. Michelle Obama is committed to making sure this message is something that will never go away. I was in awe hearing her speak candidly as a mom, and why this is something that is so near and dear to her heart.

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We all live lives that are busy. We’re here. We’re there. We’re everywhere. She understand this and here’s the thing – it’s on ALL OF US – to come together and make a difference and bring on and support healthy changes. Let’s Move! is asking for parents and caregivers to set great examples for their families by creating healthy environments at home.

It’s starts with each of us.

We can all make a difference and truly it starts with our family.

What can you do?

  • Become active as a family. Bike rides. Walks around the neighborhood. Afternoon swimming. Hiking. Basketball in the driveway. Just get yourselves moving. Get involved in organized sports with your children and volunteer to work as a coach.
  • Healthy eating needs to start at home. Lead by example for your children. I personally loved listening to
    Olympian Dominique Dawes talk about how she is starting with her daughters now, even at 6 months and 2 years old. She was beyond inspirational to listen to and see how we can make changes at home (with physical activity, too)!
  • Plant a garden and cultivate your own fruits and veggies. We have been doing this for the last 4 years and it’s something that has changed our family as a whole. My kids love seeing what they planted, come to life. We have a blast making dishes with our crops and it’s really a great family activity.
  • If you’re like us and love to explore, Every Kid In A Park,  is something you want to check out! My son Alex is in the fourth grade, so this really is great for our family right now!  Fourth graders and their families get free access to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide for an entire year. I didn’t know this existed and will definitely be taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity this summer!

It starts now.

There’s so much more I am excited to share with you, but I really wanted to get the conversation started. I’ve had so many people reach out asking about my visit to the White House and what it was about. I have to say, it was extraordinary.

Take the pledge now.

And for some extra fun, here are some photos from the day!!

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And… we had to get a “selfie” with Michelle Obama, too!

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Thank you to Babble.com for inviting me to cover this incredible event. I tweeted my little fingers off throughout the day!

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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