Kicking it With the First Lady: ‘Let’s Move!’ Hits the Soccer Field

ABC News’ Julie Percha reports:

Michelle Obama today took her anti-obesity campaign to the soccer field, making an appearance at a free youth soccer clinic in Washington, D.C.

As part of her “Let’s Move!” initiative launched last month – which promotes healthy eating and increased physical activity among the nation’s youth – she visited with about 60 young players as they took part in a U.S. Soccer Foundation clinic led by members of the Major League Soccer team D.C. United.

She spoke briefly to the young athletes, highlighting the importance of combining proper nutrition – both at school and at home – with regular exercise.

“You know, you’ve got to move,” she told the players. “You’ve got to exercise … and soccer is one of my favorite ways of doing it.” 

Obama said that although her daughter, Sasha, has since gravitated toward basketball, the First Tweens both got their start in soccer at a young age. She told the young players that sports are “fun for parents to go and watch,” adding that she and the President are looking forward to Malia’s upcoming soccer season.

But while her family might be soccer-savvy, Obama posed a personal disclaimer before taking to the field. 

“I’m not a soccer player, so you’ve got to help me out here. Promise you’ll help me out?” she asked the players. “OK, let’s get moving. Let’s move! Let’s do this.”

Obama – who was decked out in full workout gear – soon shed her silver track jacket to play one-one-one against the youth players. She later joined the participants in agility sprints, remaining all smiles even after knocking into a plyometric pole and colliding with one young participant.

Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative aims to curb childhood obesity in America by focusing on four major goals: promoting healthy lifestyles among families, offering healthier meals in schools, increasing access to nutritious foods at affordable prices and increasing physical activity among youth. In addition to her appearance at the soccer clinic, Obama promoted the anti-obesity initiative Wednesday when she met with two schools in Jackson, Miss.

Soccer is the most popular and fastest-growing youth sport in America, with more than 4 million players nationwide.

FLOTUS Fashion Watch: Mrs. Obama wore a black scoopneck long-sleeved T-shirt over a black tank top; a silver track jacket; yoga pants and black and pink tennis shoes.