Bend it like Obama: First Lady Michelle shows off her football skills

By Mail Foreign Service

Michelle Obama shows off her moves at a football clinic organised by the US soccer foundation

She's introduced a vegetable garden to the White House, has spoken out publicly about her concerns over her daughters' weight and now Michelle Obama has taken to football in a bid to highlight the US obesity crisis.

The First Lady was attending a soccer clinic hosted by the US soccer foundation as part of the 'Let's Move' campaign which aims to give children a healthier lifestyle and teach them how to increase their daily physical exercise
With her immaculate bob and black tracksuit Michelle cut an elegant and enthusiastic figure on the court and showed herself to be pretty neat with her footwork.

The Let’s Move initiative was launched by Mrs Obama in February.

Besides promoting physical exercise, it also pushes for schools to offer more healthy meals and calls on food companies to label nutritional information more accurately.

Some of her initiatives, such as tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities, will require congressional action.

‘I would move heaven and earth to give my kids all the chances in the world for them to be at the top of their game in every way, shape and form,’ Mrs Obama said.


Let's Move! Michelle Obama tackles a young enthusiast


‘I love burgers and fries. And I love ice cream and cake. And so do most kids.’

But, she added: ‘We're not talking about a lifestyle that excludes all that.’
Mrs Obama has been a champion of healthy eating since her husband won the presidency in 2008.

Last year, she unveiled a vegetable garden at the White House to provide the family – as well as staff and visitors – with fresh food.


An elegant Michelle shows off her fancy footwork


With one-third of the nation’s children estimated to be overweight, the First Lady’s goal is to help solve the problem in a generation.

‘Let's Move operates under the principle that every family wants the same thing for their kid,’ Mrs Obama said.

‘So we're going to figure out how to make it easier for them to get it.’


Michelle hopes to encourage the nation's youth to exercise on a daily basis


The Obamas’ fitness is also well-reported – from Michelle’s pilates-toned arms and hula hopping on the South Lawn to Barack’s penchant for basketball.

Mrs Obama has already admitted putting her daughters on diets after she was warned by the family doctor Sasha, eight, and Malia, 11, were becoming overweight.

They were given new ground rules – such as less burgers, low-fat milk and fruits and water instead of sugary drinks.

The U.S. spends nearly £94million a year fighting obesity.

Recent figures show 32 per cent of U.S. children are obese compared to 27 per cent in the UK.


Michelle with representatives of the US Soccer Foundation and enthusiastic young football players


source: dailymail