P.E. Teacher - Chase Swartz

Fuel Up to Play 60

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school program that encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Health experts recommend that young people get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

What are the benefits?

Being physically active is important for lots of reasons:

• It helps you look and feel your best. Physical activity can give you more energy, improve your self-image and help you manage stress. Staying active helps shape your muscles, can help you maintain a healthy weight and can improve your posture. Stand tall and proud. It helps you have a healthy heart and body, now and later. High blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, bone weakness and heart disease are things we hear about in older people - our parents, grandparents and others. The truth is that these diseases can begin in youth. Sixty minutes of daily physical activity helps build long-term health. By becoming more active now, you are building healthy habits that can keep you healthy when you become a grandparent.
   
• It is a great way to make friends and stay on the right path. Participating in physical activity (like a sports team or walking club) can help you make friends while you get fit. You'll learn teamwork, self-discipline and make some friends along the way.
   
• It may help you learn. Kids who are more physically active tend to perform better academically. Physical activity can help students manage stress, improve self-esteem, cognitive function and test scores.

How do I make it happen?

Being active for 60 minutes a day isn't as hard as it might seem - after all, a day is made up of 1,440 minutes. It doesn't have to be done all at once, and there are LOTS of ways to do it. There's almost no limit to the ways you can get and stay active. Join a team, play with a friend, take a walk, ride your bike. The best activity to do is the one (or the ones) you like to do.