Working Out Against Drugs

I have one of the most rewarding jobs. I'm an elementary school counselor. Yes, many times it is challenging, but overall, I get up excited to go to work and LOVING what I do. Today we started our Red Ribbon Week Campaign. A new theme each day to help instill in kids the importance of never starting drugs. Today was "Work Out Against Drugs". Great way to start the week...dressed in workout clothes! I decided that to kick the week off I would go into each classroom for a five minute cardio workout. We have 15 classrooms. I scheduled all of the visits within two hours. The longest break I had was 7 minutes. I had an absolute blast. I think many of the adults couldn't believe that I was actually doing this much cardio. At several points I was asked if I was going to go home and shower. Not only is it so important for our kids to realize how unhealthy it is to start drugs. They need to learn how easy it is to get addicted. They also need to learn how important it is to take care of our bodies. I told them all that the more they move the better. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. As I've been process today there are several things that have come to mind. 1. The sad part of the day was that I had a few kids who complained. Please know this was very few, but still. Now that I am so into taking care of me, it scares me that these little people don't want to move. Our society has become so sedentary. It's soooo sad and scary. If you have kids you need to get moving as a family. 2. When I was a child, I dreaded gym. I HATED it. I was not a competitive person. I was also overweight. I couldn't run like the other kids. I was always worried they would make fun of me. In middle school and high school I would sometimes fake injuries (I can't believe I just admitted this publically) to get out of PE. I remember spraining my wrist during a volleyball game and having to go to the dr. I was thrilled when my hand went in a brace and I couldn't do PE for 4 weeks. Having that experience, and being where I am now...the wheels are turning. What can I do for the kids I work with? How can I get them more active? I welcome your suggestions. 3. Two years ago, I would have never dreamed of doing something like this. Let's start with the attire. I wouldn't have worn work out attire to school unless it was REALLY baggy. Nothing fitted like I had on today. I would not have wanted anyone to see the fat rolls. Oh yes! I know! There are still rolls there. I am not perfect by any means. I'm in a way better place than I was two years ago in so many ways. Two years ago there was no way I would have even dreamed up something like this. If I had, someone else would have needed to do it because I didn't have what it took. So the fact that I came up with this plan and put it in place is a pretty big accomplishment for me. I'm feeling really really good about today. I'm a bit tired and my legs are a little sore. Every workout involved 25 jumping jacks and 25 squats among other things. That's 350 jumping jacks and 350 squats total. I had a couple of teachers come up to me at the end of the day and tell me they thought we should start each day like that because it did make a positive difference in the kids for the rest of the day. We might be onto something here. Hmmmmm.....the wheels are turning!I welcome your suggestions here too.