Time for Change: Presidential Health Tips

By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer

Change has arrived: Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America. Whether you voted for him or not, you're witnessing something unprecedented in the history of this country.

In an unscientific food poll, we predicted Obama (and his family chili recip-(*)-) would win the election. So far, we are 100 percent accurate in presidential predictions -- this being our first. Now that we've patted ourselves on the back, we're looking to the future and how we can use this milestone to make positive changes in our own lives.

We've learned a lot about ourselves, our country and our new president over the past months. Indifference was replaced by involvement, the apathetic became active and something wonderful happened -- we all strived for change.

Electing the first African-American president was simply the first step on the path to change. Obama is faced with two unfinished wars, an economy in recession, struggling healthcare and education systems, oh, and he's quitting smoking while doing all of this.

"I was never really a heavy smoker. Probably at my peak I was smoking seven or eight a day," Obama said in a November interview for Men’s Health.

"There have been a couple of times during the campaign when I fell off the wagon and bummed one, and I had to kick it again. But I figure, seeing as I’m running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack."

He understands that he's not perfect and he will occasionally make mistakes just like everyone else, but when he falls, he gets right back up as he explained in a recent interview with Barbara Walters:

"Part of what I think comes with this role as president is not that you’re perfect, but hopefully you’re trying to set a good example for people and that starts with my two kids."

We should all try and take the lead of our new commander-in-chief. Obama is probably the busiest man in America right now, but he still finds time to exercise -- almost every day.

"The main reason I do it is just to clear my head and relieve me of stress," he said in his Men’s Health interview. "Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. Usually I get in about 45 minutes, six days a week. I’ll lift [weights] one day, do cardio the next."

He also finds time to squeeze in basketball games as another fun fitness diversion. The No.1 reason Americans give for not exercising is lack of time. If the busiest man in America can find 45 minutes a day, you can find a little time, too.

If you're like me, you had too much going on to kick-start your resolutions on Jan.1, but that's OK. Let's use the inauguration as the beginning of not just another year, but of a new lifestyle. Let's follow the leader on improving our health and doing our part to make this a healthier, more active country.

Can you change your life?

Yes, you can.

The key to a seamless transition is your team. Obama is surrounding himself with top-notch aides and filling his cabinet with capable people because he knows he can't do it all on his own. He knows his weaknesses and surrounds himself with people who count those areas as strengths. If you're planning on losing weight and getting healthy, you need to do the same thing.

Can't get motivated for the gym? Get a personal trainer, a workout partner or find a fun activity you enjoy.

Can we all get healthy and reach our weight-loss goals?

Yes, we can.

Things are always changing. Let's choose to make those changes positive, to not beat ourselves up over slip ups, to find time to exercise, to be positive role models for our family and our community, and to not strive for perfection, just improvement.

Now that's change everyone can believe in.

Are you ready for change? Post below and let us know your plan for a healthier lifestyle.
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(*) Barack Obama's Family Chili Recipe

Hungry? Here's Barack Obama's family chili recipe:



Ingredients:

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Several cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey or beef
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground oregano
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground basil
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
1 can red kidney beans


Directions:

Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft.
Add ground meat and brown.
Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat.
Add red wine vinegar.
Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down.
Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes.
Serve over white or brown rice.
Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
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Until tomorrow's Historic Inauguration, Opt Now for Change! Have a Great Day!

Your Friend,

Jacques

Courtesy: eDiets.com