Michelle Obama did 142 swivels before her Hula Hoop fell and went barefoot through an obstacle course during the White House "healthy kids fair" she hosted Wednesday.
Obama's Hula-Hoop-de-do for health
October 22, 2009
WASHINGTON–First Lady Michelle Obama hooped it up for health – Hula Hooped, that is – managing to get in an impressive 142 swivels before her Hula Hoop hit the ground. Jumping rope double dutch? Not so much.
It was all for a good cause – encouraging kids to get more physical activity and eat better.
The first lady hosted a "healthy kids' fair" on the south lawn of the White House on Wednesday and invited about 100 children and parents from local elementary schools.
Chefs demonstrated how to make healthy but yummy snacks. And Obama delivered a pep talk about eating right. It wasn't all gloom, doom and nutrition.
Obama said it's okay to eat fun stuff sometimes – as long as you usually eat right.
"There's nothing that the first family loves more than a good burger, right?" Obama said. "And look, my favourite food in the whole wide world are french fries. I love them. Dearly. Deeply. I have a good relationship with french fries and I would eat them every single day if I could.
"I tell my girls this: If you're getting the right foods for most of the time, then when it's time to have cake and french fries on those special occasions, then you balance it out.''
After checking out the food demonstrations, Obama hiked up her belt and joined a crowd of Hula Hoopers, keeping up with the best of them.
Associated Press