Hula Hoops and Healthy Food

hula hoop? jump rope for 30 minutes a day

MayBee: Over lunchtime I googled “Remarks by the First Lady at Healthy Kids Fair” on October 21, 2009 and read through her entire speech.

Michelle Obama joked about her kids not liking vegetables, saying, “…We don’t want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it.” The audience laughed.

Another comment about her kids: “In our household, no TV during school days. And only a couple hours during the weekend.” How is that sharing every detail?

Otherwise, I simply couldn’t find where our First Lady’s remarks singled her children for ridicule or held them up as a bad example. Seriously, even if you don’t like Michelle Obama, this was worthwhile, instructional health fair that in no way embarrassed her kids.

How in heaven’s name is the the First Family's participation in this event a "bad method" or “sharing every detail of her parenting”?
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It wasn't the participation.
It was the speech, both this one and prior speeches. As I've said.

Well CenterOne, I understand your point here about the Bush girls but here is where Axey may have a good point too. Whereas I, or you might have looked at the Bush girls' incident as a learning/teaching moment, I don't think if I were one of those girls I would be so appreciative of my childhood transgression being played out on the national stage by the media. Undoubtedly, the incident would have developed into a politicized matter and that would open up another can of worms. Its the bitter/sweet scenario.

MayBee: Good to see you don’t think the First Family should remain reclusive.

OK, so then why do you think it is a “bad method” to hold up the first children/first family as a public example? Your first post in this thread suggests you dislike Michelle Obama’s “desire to share every detail of her parenting”.

How in heaven’s name is the the First Family's participation in this event a "bad method" or “sharing every detail of her parenting”?

You seem to think it’s better for the First Family to remain reclusive.
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I think no such thing.

Posted by: MayBee | Oct 22, 2009 12:43:56 PM posted: “Think about the host of problems affecting our families and teens- which of them do you think the girls should be held out as examples for? Which should they *not*? I say none.”

Why “none”? You may recall back in 2001, Jenna and Barbara Bush used Jenna's fake ID to order drinks. The Secret Service agents hustled the girls out before cops got involved, but they were later cited for underage drinking. IMO, that was an example when the girls could have been used as a positive example - we missed an opportunity to really broaden national discussion about teen drinking.

You seem to think it’s better for the First Family to remain reclusive. On the other hand, the Obamas, and many other Americans like me, think otherwise. We believe the first family can in fact act as a positive example, especially when it comes to a serious national concern like obesity.

It’s not as if the Obamas are somehow humiliating their kids in public. Their actions show a balance of care and concern about how much of the girls privacy is brought into the public eye.

I really have nothing nice to say, but will say enjoy the ride it will not last forever... thank you

Peter King: "What about Barack's chesse burger runs for him and Joe Biden?"

Did amazing positive things for that small business! Also, for the pizza guy.

"...she is very boring and a total flake."

While in your view that may be true, you read the story none the less, and felt compelled to post. Please share your view regarding obesity in America--especially amongst our children. Do you feel as if there is a problem or is this something which is overblown?

Axey | Oct 22, 2009 12:42:06 PM posted: “I take comfort in knowing several authorities on this subject agreed with me. Their remarks about their daughter(s) were cringe worthy.”

I'm curious. Who are these “authorities” agreeing with you that the Obamas’ remarks about their girls are “cringe worthy”?

Well, I for one agree with you CenterOne. The issue is about addressing the obesity problem in our country--no matter who that message comes from. However, part of that process (I believe) is allowing those to vent their pro/con "whatever" in order to move closer to that target. I would hope others from a personal, community, corporate level pick-up the White House' lead and offer similar health fairs etc. to further inform people how to get on, or back on track regarding a healthier lifestyle.

Building healthier, better educated kids means more tax payers, more innovation, stronger economic competition, and less people on welfare. Regardless of our political views, isn’t that a worthwhile goal?
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You keep talking about worthwhile goals.
I am talking about a bad method- using the first children/first family as a public example.
Think about the host of problems affecting our families and teens- which of them do you think the girls should be held out as examples for? Which should they *not*?
I say none.

===Regardless of our political views, isn’t that a worthwhile goal?===

You are the one missing the point, IMO. In trying to defend whatever MO and BO do or say.

I take comfort in knowing several authorities on this subject agreed with me. Their remarks about their daughter(s) were cringe worthy.

IMO, sniping about Michelle Obama’s parenting style is missing the target. In the big picture, it’s absolutely appropriate for our first family to be open about family problems and solutions. It's entirely appropriate for Michelle to set an example prioritizing kids’ health and fitness. Here’s why:

Research from economist James Heckman (Professor at the University of Chicago) concludes the biggest problem for America’s future is the decline in educational attainment. Conservatives tend to blame evil teachers unions, lazy workers or government control. Liberals blame evil capitalism, outsourcing, or No Child Left Behind. But Heckman points us to a completely different reason.

Heckman says our country’s educational slide has happened because of the decline in the American family over the past 40 years. Rebuilding family structure and focus, including family participation in child health and nutrition to eliminate obesity, will be critical to prevent our nation’s decline in a global economy.

Building healthier, better educated kids means more tax payers, more innovation, stronger economic competition, and less people on welfare. Regardless of our political views, isn’t that a worthwhile goal?

===But, (if I comprehend correctly), your view is that any exposure is, or can be harmful.===

No, my view is they should not be used as examples. For anything. What if they fall short? What if Sasha is short and dumpy, no matter what she eats? What if Malia gets hips as large as her mother's, no matter the amount of vegetables fed her? Do not use them as examples of how to raise your children. At least not vocally. Discuss the eating habits of children in general. Discuss whatever you want in general. Don't put your child's name and face on it. Let them be children, in the spotlight, but not shining the light on them yourself.

Axey, I ask that you remember that from the very beginning Mrs. Obama's thrust has been childhood obesity, and not just obesity itself, which overall is very problematic for our nation. But, although I do disagree with you, I do see your point. I think that the Obama children's exposure is carefully managed and it is their utmost well-being which is of most concern. But, (if I comprehend correctly), your view is that any exposure is, or can be harmful. You may have a point. Afterall, one must be able to withstand the "bitter" along with the "sweet." I suppose we will see as time unfolds.

Posted by: healthyandthin | Oct 22, 2009 1:38:05 AM posted: “Why is it that the mainstream media never mentions the fact that Michelle Obama is FAT?” Because she’s most of us don't think she is.

The First Lady is not “lecturing the rest of us on healthy habits”. This event goes far beyond her body shape, her husband’s smoking habit, or Michelle’s apparently unacceptable wardrobe.

1 out of 3 kids in our nation is now considered overweight or obese. This is serious. It will impact the cost of living for the entire country and the next generation’s ability to compete in a future Global Economy.

Preventing kids from becoming overweight means adapting the way our families eat and exercise, and how they spend time together. Helping kids to change unhealthy patterns begins with parents, including the first family, who lead by example.

Few people are perfectly “healthy and thin”. The rest of us are educated about ways to improve our diet and fitness. Showing American families this important process is “credibility”.

One more thing- you ask "who better"?
Frankly, I think people should always think twice (or three times!) before holding their children up as public examples.
BUT..."who better" is someone who can jump off the merry-go-round if the going gets tough. It's very hard to simultaneously keep using your family's private life as an example and ask other people not to talk about your private life. It's nearly impossible to hold your family out as a positive example without inviting criticism.

Look at the Palins. Look at Jon and Kate. A family in the spotlight is *hard*.

You will notice I am not complaining that MO said it was hard for her to stay away from the WH pies. I noticed her weight gain and only commented on it after she neglected to mention her personal weight gain but mentioned her daughter's "problem".

===Who better than the first family to invite America into their personal lives as examples of how America can change our eating and exercise patterns? ===

Did the children invite us into their personal lives? I think you are missing the point. MO and BO can talk about their unhealthy habits all day long. Don't discuss their overweight children. Or underweight. They are in the spotlight anyway. Don't amplify it to tell us what wonderful parents you are.