What gives kids energy and lifts their spirits on cold winter days? Moving! Going outside for fresh air and exercise is a great way to have fun, get fit and stay healthy from fall to spring. Young people who learn to enjoy winter sports will find it easier to remain healthy into adulthood. Those who try new sports will find activities they enjoy and will stick with.

These are the ideas behind Stretch Your Limits, a seasonal initiative of the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Department of Health. The program challenges young Vermonters to Stretch Your Limits each winter by trying a new sport or physical activity, eating more fruits and vegetables and turning off the computer and television. Kids are asked to track their efforts to “Move More,” “Eat More Colors” and “Turn It Off” during six weeks and send their tracking form to the governor. Participating children will step up to the podium this spring to shake hands with the governor and receive a signed certificate and a prize from Bogner apparel.

Tracking forms are available here or by contacting Suzanne Kelley at the Vermont Department of Health, 802- 657-4202.

Stretch Your Limits proactively addresses an alarming increase in obesity in Vermont, as more than a fourth of the state’s children are overweight for their age and height. “School-aged children should be active at least one hour a day, but only 27 percent of Vermont students get that much exercise,” said Kelley, who coordinates physical activities programs throughout the state.

The challenge motivates children, and their parents, to be more active and eat more healthfully. “This was a great tool for me as a mother. It made me much more aware of their weekly activity and food intake,” wrote Shannon Harvey of Swanton, mother to Natalee , 6, and Sarah, 8, on the girls’ 2009 tracking sheets. Last winter the sisters learned to ski, which became their favorite winter sport. They also made a point to eat raw colored peppers, lettuce and onions. “We will continue with daily goals of fresh veggies and fruit along with physical activity,” promised their mother.

“It helped us focus on better food choices as well as recreation. Just recording the day’s events sometimes made us say, ‘better add more fruit to supper tonight ‘ or ‘we’ll go skating for a little while,’” wrote Rosalyn Pofcher of Guilford, about the participation by her children, Rosie, 11, and Gabriel, 9. “Now we need something fun to keep us going through mud season!”

Filed under: Community, Health, Outdoor Fun, Recreation