[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
[May 5, 2007]
[Pages 540-541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Physical Fitness Month in Beltsville, Maryland
May 5, 2007

    Thank you all for coming. This is Physical Fitness Month, and I'm 
with members of the President's Physical Fitness Council. Their job is 
to encourage all Americans, young and old, to exercise.
    I love exercise. Today I'm going to ride with a group of friends on 
a mountain bike. But the message to all Americans is to find time in 
your schedule to walk, run, swim, bike, to take care of yourselves.
    I appreciate Mike Leavitt, who is the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, is joining us today. He knows 
what I know, that if someone takes care of their body through good 
exercise, that it is--it's the beginning of really good health policy 
for the United States.
    It doesn't take much time to stay fit--30 minutes, 5 days a week: 30 
minutes of walking, 30 minutes of running, 30 minutes of biking, 30 
minutes of swimming on a regular basis will help deal with a lot of 
health issues here in America. I have found that exercise not only is a 
good excuse to get outdoors; it helps relieve stress as well. And so, on 
behalf of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, I say to America: 
Get outside, take time out of your life, schedule yourself, be 
disciplined, and exercise.
    Thank you all for coming.
      
      
      

Note: The President spoke at 9:19 a.m. at the U.S. Secret Service 
Training Facility. The National Physical Fitness and Sports Month 
proclamation of May 1 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.

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