Brite Star Health & Nutrition "Exercise is Fun"

Exercise is Fun A Brite Star Health & Nutrition Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher ISBN Paperback

979-8-89750-294-3

Digital

979-8-89750-295-0

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

“Class I want you to meet a new friend. Her name is Coach Jill. She will be working with Coach Murph,” said Ms. Betty. Coach Jill looked very athletic. Ms. Betty told them Coach Jill had played professional tennis when she was younger. Now she was aPhysical Education teacher.

“Hi kids. It’s great to be here in Brite Star. I look forward to meeting all of you. I am especially excited to be working with Coach Murph and the excellent teachers here at Brite StarSchool,” said Coach Jill.

“Why is exercise important?” Coach Jillasked.

“It keeps you from getting fat,” Miles said. Everyone laughed.

“Well, it certainly helps with that,” Coach Jill said. “It also keeps your heart healthy and it gives you better endurance when you’re playing sports.”

“My dad groans every time Mom says he should exercise,” Leo said. “He complains before heeven tries!”

“Some people don’t like to exercise because they don’t make it fun,” said Coach Jill.

“Remember the steps on the Food Pyramid that Chef Lou showed you? Those are the exercisepart of eating rightand exercising,” said Ms. Betty.

“Let’s figure out ways to make exercising fun,” said Coach Jill. “The 4 Sisters love playing tennis. They make good friends and have a lot of fun, too!” said Coach Jill.

“Tennis is a fun way to exercise,” said Brooke.

“One thing I’ve noticed is that kids who aren’t in good shape don’t play as well as those who are in good shape. They get tired morequickly,” said Whit.

“Miles, I have seen you and Maria riding your skateboards after school. Do you think that’s fun?” asked Ms. Betty.

“Yeah, skateboards are lots offun!” said Miles.

“Sure is and we get lots of fresh air, too!” added Maria.

Everyone started talking about all the different fun ways they got exercise. They got excited as they realized exercise isn’t bad – it’s actually good and fun!

“I love riding my bike on the Brite Star bike path,” said Jeremy. “Sam, Landon and I go ride at theBrite Star Park every weekend with ourparents.”

“Yeah, and Mom and Dad buy us ice cream at the park!” said Landon.

“That’s a great way to exercise and spend time with your family, too,” said CoachMurph.

“I’d go just for the ice cream,” said Miles. Everyone laughed at funny Miles.

“Before school today I saw Peter and Alexander playing basketball,” said Coach Murph. “You were playing with a group of kids. Running up and down the court is great exercise and a great way to have fun with friends.”

“We love basketball! It’s fun to play against teams from other schools or places like the Boys and Girls Club,” said Alexander.

“Marge and I prefer swimming. We swim on a team at the Brite Star pool,” said Karen.

“Basketball is better!” the boys shouted.

“Swimming is better!” thegirls shouted.

“Swimming is great exercise and very good foryou,” said Coach Jill.

“Swimming is lots of fun!” Ms. Betty said. “Youcan swim at the pool or at the Brite Star Lake. I’m glad you brought it up, Karen. Because, next week we are taking a field trip to the Brite Star Pool to learn about water safety from Coach Barb.”

“I take long walks with my dad at Brite Star Ranch,” Missy said.

“Walking is great exercise and you are outside enjoying nature. You can see all your animalfriends at theRanch while you walk,” said Coach Jill.

The kids got more excited as everyone sharedwhat kind of exercise theyenjoyed.

“My mom loves doing yoga,” saidKen. “Sounds like something you eat,” saidAlexander.

“Yoga is excellent aerobic exercise. It stretches your body and keeps your muscles in shape,” said Coach Jill.

19

“We climb on the playground equipment and run around the playground at recess,” saidDaniella.

“You have a lot of fun and climbing on the playground equipment builds yourstrength.

Running is good for you, too,” saidCoach Jill.

“Yeah, I vote for longer recess time so we can get more exercise!” said Miles. Everyone cheered for that!

That night at dinner Leo and his brother, Fred, talked about the big soccer tournament that would happen on Saturday. The teams would be made up of families, not just kids.

“Dad, the soccer match is going to be lots of fun.

You always talk about what a good soccer player you were when you were growing up in Italy,” Leo said. His mother laughed. “What’s so funny?” Leo asked.

“Dad has put on a few pounds since he was a kid.He enjoys the pizza we sell in our pizzeria too much!” she said.

23

When Saturday came Big Leo was out on thesoccer field with his family. The match was great fun and afterwards the families enjoyed a big barbeque together.

“Leo, that was a lot of fun. I look forward to the next game,” Big Leo said.

“Dad you were great! Best of all you got some fun exercise and fresh air – with no complaining!” said Leo.

Think AboutIt 1.. What sport did Coach Jill playwhen she was younger?

2. What are some good things exercise does for your body?

3. What are some ways theBrite Star kids exercise?

4. Why do some people not enjoyexercise?

5. Are good nutrition and exercise bothimportant?

Let’s Work Together!

There are all different ways to get exercise. It’s important to enjoy the exercise you get or you won’t want to do it. What’s your favorite way to get exercise?

I will. ..

• Get exercise every day.

• BEncourage my family and friends to exercise.

• Eat right along withexercising my body.

Try different sports and different ways of exercising so you don’t get bored.

Learn new sports or try new activities. Try to do some way of moving your body every day!