Promoting health and fitness is a priority for Virginia’s First Lady
Written by Alison Johnson
[dropcap]First Lady Maureen McDonnell doesn’t mind working out on fitness machines at the gym. She’d just rather get her exercise outside, which is one reason why she feels that Virginia is the perfect place for her—and anyone looking to stay active—to live.[/dropcap]
“Our Commonwealth has an endless supply of fitness opportunities,” McDonnell says. “With the beaches and the mountains all within an easy day’s drive for most of us, and the many rivers and biking trails around, there is something for everyone—no matter their preference.”
Do what you love to stay well: that’s McDonnell’s message to all Virginians, including the approximately 20 percent of children classified as overweight or obese. Improving the health of people of all ages is a major focus during her time in the Executive Mansion, although she has been interested in nutrition and fitness ever since being diagnosed with a benign breast tumor in high school and told she has a predisposition to breast cancer.
The mother of five also advocates for military families—her husband, father, oldest daughter, brother and sister all served—historical sites and the fine arts.
IN HER WORDS…
When it comes to Virginia’s health, my proudest accomplishments as First Lady include… working with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to create Healthy Youth Day, and awarding the First Lady’s Opportunity Hall of Fame Award each year to organizations across the Commonwealth that embody the ideal of “getting involved and giving back.” One of the awards is specifically focused on preventive health and wellness.
In my eyes, one of the most pressing health challenges facing Virginia is… childhood obesity. I’ve been honored to use my position to help tackle this problem by supporting the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth’s Kids in the Kitchen program, where children work in my garden at the Executive Mansion and then use what they harvest to create something healthy and delicious in the kitchen. When kids know where the food comes from and help prepare it themselves, they are far more likely to enjoy the healthy options and make them a part of their daily routine.
To stay healthy, I… try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. As the First Lady of Virginia, I am often on the road and my schedule can be hectic. When I’m traveling or attending events, I do my best to reach for the fresh, nutritious foods and allot myself time to go for a brisk walk or get some cardio in at the gym.
My favorite type of exercise is… hiking. Virginia has so much to offer, and extensive hiking trails are one of the many features that make the Commonwealth so unique. When I have the time I love exploring new trails—from the Shenandoah National Park to the Virginia Creeper Trail.
And my favorite healthy food is… hummus—on a sandwich or as a dip for veggies. I even like to use it to make salad dressings. At the Executive Mansion we strive to use Virginia products, and Sabra Dipping Co. (which makes hummus) has a new factory in Richmond!
My message to children who are struggling with their weight is… I would read them a quote from one of my favorite children’s books, Shapesville, by Andy Mills: “Take care of your body, love it, have fun, for we all are unique whether we bike, swim or run. Just do what you like and like what you do, go find an exercise that’s just right for you!”
The preventive step that I wish every adult would take is… to develop healthy eating habits and stick to them. Eat nutritiously and in moderation—remember to eat in order to fuel your body. Also, teach your children how to do these things while they’re young. If they can start life healthy and fit, it will be much easier for them to stay that way for a lifetime.
My message to people who say they’re too busy to take these steps is… you can’t be too busy to eat healthy! We all have to eat, so when it comes to fueling your body make the healthiest choice available and eat in moderation.
Something interesting about me is… in the 1970s I was a member of the Redskinettes, now known as the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.