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There's little doubt that the Obamas care about their own personal health. They eat light -- Michelle is known for asking White House chefs to cook cream of broccoli soup without the cream. They're champions of local foods, and they're committed to exercise, despite heavily scheduled lives. But their concern for health and fitness goes far beyond their own family -- they want America to shape up too.

Obama's health reform bill is expected to be heavy on prevention: Workplace wellness, money for bicycle and walking trails, obesity screening, grocery stores in poor neighborhoods and improved nutrition and exercise in schools. "He has expressed more interest in preventing diseases and promoting health than any previous president. It is not a breath of fresh air. It is a tornado," Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, recently told Politico. "That contrast is breathtaking. This is really a rare opportunity to make progress on so many issues."

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Michelle Obama nearly upstaged her husband Tuesday night, when she showed up to his first address to Congress in a sleeveless purple dress ... in the middle of February. She's never afraid to show off those toned and beautiful arms, and they're proof that fitness is a priority in the Presidential household.

Of course, we already knew that. President Obama started out his inauguration day with a workout. That's dedication, folks. And Mrs. O's own friends have called her a gladiator in the gym.

It's not just exercise that keeps the Obama family fit and trim; they also eat a healthy, low-fat diet that's based in locally and sustainably grown foods. Last week, instead of walking the press through the State Dining Room to look at the linens and china, Mrs. Obama invited them into the kitchen ... to look at the food.

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Michelle Obama got to sink her teeth into a Triple Chocolate Enrobed Brownie Cake for Valentine's Day. The cake, a $40 gift from her sweetie, President Barack Obama, was a "moist & fudgy brownie cake ... enrobed in rich chocolate, then ... completely blanketed with a shower of dark chocolate shaves." It was also topped with "milk and dark chocolate glazes drizzled all over and [a] Belgian chocolate plaque." Oh. My. Goodness.

The First Lady's cake arrived early (February 4) due to security reasons, so I'm betting the sweet treat is long gone. And Michelle is likely in the gym working off the overload of calories that came with her perfect present (which happened to come with the message "I Love You"). Knowing how attentive Michelle is to diet and fitness, though, I wouldn't be surprised if she ate just a slice and shared the rest.

Bake Me a Wish had the honor of baking the Obama cake. And while they advertise their "cakes for every occasion," we suggest you minimize your cake-eating occasions. It's Valentine's Day -- so go ahead and have some. Then get back to healthy eating and get your butt back on that treadmill.

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If you missed our daily postings this past week, we invite you to take some time to catch up on our prior week's news and gear up for a new week of healthy living information and inspiration.

Bringing your workout inside for the winter or too frugal to hit the gym? Liz has an excellent list of 10 DVDs you should be shopping for. And she knows, because she's tried out each one.

Don't kick that coffee habit just yet! Laura has five good reasons to enjoy caffeine (happiness! and sex!) ... as long as you drink it in moderation, of course.

Think you're too busy for that workout today? President Obama worked out on Inauguration Day. If he had time, so do you.

Is skinny in? Maybe, says Fitz ... if you like to hide behind small trees. If not, then maybe you should shoot for healthy and active instead.

Get fit for free, says Martha, and exercise during commercials. Here's one to start with -- the plank.

Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke put on 33 pounds of muscle for his role in The Wrestler. Find out how he transformed his body in seven short months.

The Office's Angela Kinsey compares breastfeeding to running a marathon (when it comes to losing the baby weight, at least), but Jacki's not so sure. What do you think?

Virtual smoothies aren't very nutritious, but Maggie says that The Wonder-Juice Machine game has great smoothie ideas ... and relieves stress at the same time. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite recipe!

Bob Greene thinks you should skip the bedtime snacks and after quitting them for a whole week, I have to agree. What about you? Could giving up late-night treats help you shave off a couple of pounds?

Holy cow, you guys! You lost 68 pounds last week in our America Takes it Off: Shrink a Size challenge! Only 36 to go, and we know you can do it!

Have a great week, everyone!

Check out this video of President Barack Obama boarding Air Force One for the very first time. I know opinions on the man vary, but I must say he seems like a very nice guy, warm and caring and similar to us common folk in so many ways -- diet included.

President Obama loves a good burger and fries. And it's just what he ordered for his first pre-inauguration in-flight meal. He takes his burger cooked medium-well, with a little Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. That's not all. He also asked for some salad or veggies. Good thinking.

We know our President is a good thinker when it comes to fitness -- heck, the guy worked out the morning of his inauguration. Now we know he fills his plate with greens too. He's a balanced guy, who can afford some red meat and fried taters now and then. We just hope it's not all the time. And we hope he's kicked that smoking habit too.

For more Air Force One moments, tune in to National Geographic's new TV series On Board Air Force One beginning tomorrow, January 25, at 8 PM.

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We've already established that President Barack Obama is one fit dude. First Lady Michelle Obama is fit too. Heck, Grandma is no stranger to exercise either -- yoga is apparently her thing. Clearly, the first family has the power to inspire us all to get our butts in gear.

I'm thinking the tunes featured at the Obama inaugural Mid-Atlantic Ball might be turned into the perfect playlist for your workout. Here, the songs that got the First Family and friends into the groove -- see if they do the same for you.

• Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours), Stevie Wonder
• Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, McFadden & Whitehead
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• I'm Coming Out, Diana Ross
• Wanna Be Startin' Something, Michael Jackson
  
• Love Train, The O'Jays
• Pride (In The Name Of Love), U2
• We Are Family, Sister Sledge
• Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher, Jackie Wilson

Need more inspiration than this? Click on the America Takes It Off badge below.

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You know, even though celebrities can afford the best trainers and chefs, top equipment, and fabulously fresh food, staying fit isn't all fun and games. Keeping track of what your favorite stars do to stay in shape isn't easy, either -- and that's why we do a round-up each week of what the healthiest, fittest stars are doing.

Just click on the picture of your favorite stars above to see what he or she has been up to lately!

Barack and Michelle Obama have been a bit busy lately, what with 10 inaugural balls and his being sworn in as President of the United States and everything. (And I think I'm busy ... ha!) The Obama's girls have been busy in their own right.

Recently, they had friends from their new school visit them at the White House. After watching movies, the girls participated in a scavenger hunt through the presidential halls (how cool is that?). The hunt was designed to help the girls become familiar with the White House and to feel more comfortable there. The final surprise of the hunt led them to the Jonas Brothers hiding behind a door. I think I could hear the pre-teen squeals from four states away. But what I'm really wondering is if the Jonas Brothers got a chance to bowl?

While your kids don't have anything as palatial as the White House to get used to and you can't rustle up a pop star as a final surprise, you can still set up a scavenger hunt in your own house for your kids. If, like me, you live in an area that's been suffering super-cold temps, you have to get a little creative to keep your kids active indoors. A scavenger hunt is a fun idea -- your kids might also enjoy a relay race throughout the house.

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Marian Robinson, the 72-year-old mother of Michelle Obama, is getting lots of attention for her plans to move into the White House with her family (not a permanent plan, by the way -- she thinks the White House is like a museum, and, "how do you sleep in a museum?"). She simply wants to make sure her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, get settled in comfortably.

However, that's not the only interesting thing about the new Grandma-in-Chief -- did you know she loves yoga? Sasha and Malia's godmother, Eleanor "Mama Kaye" Wilson, is her Grandma's partner, and they take lessons from Robinson's little brother, 57-year-old Stephen Shields. Robinson told PEOPLE, "He's our youngest child out of seven children and he's the wisest. He has found a way to make a living doing what he likes to do, and I've always admired that."

So, we have a president who fits in a workout Every. Single. Day. We have a First Lady who makes fitness a top priority. And Grandma's in on the act, too? Let's hope our country is ready for a fit four years!

I keep hearing that Barack Obama works out every day. I mean, every day. Throughout all of his campaign craziness, the man worked out. Right after the election, he hit the gym. Vacationing on the beach in Hawaii, he worked out. And today, just before he takes his history-making Oath of Office, The Today Show folks tell me our soon-to-be President of the United States worked out.

Here's what I've got to say about the man who commits to fitness just hours before he begins leading our country: Impressive. It makes me think the rest of us should reconsider our exercise excuses. Don't feel like working out? Too bad. Do it anyway. You won't regret it. So what if you've got a busy day ahead of you. Get up extra early and sweat. Guaranteed, it will help you cruise right through your day. Think about it this way: If the guy who is about to manage the madness of 50 states can find the time and energy to fit in fitness, then you surely can work a brisk walk, a refreshing run or a few lunges into your day.

Here's an idea: Take an exercise oath today. And let this January 20, 2009 be the first day of your new fitness term. I'm game. How about you?

ANTM's celebrity judge Paulina Porizkova stays fit by doing karate, and says her stint on Dancing With the Stars got her in the best shape ever.

The Biggest Loser's Bob went ballistic this week on the Gray team's Joelle. Find out how many times he dropped the f-bomb. Do you think his "motivational" method works or does his treadmill-side manner need work?

One fit and healthy celeb claims food is the love of her life. Find out who here.

Healthy habits change more than just your body, they can change your life too. Here are five to get you started.

Loving seeing Eric Stoltz on Grey's Anatomy? Fitz asked Eric how he gets fit for a movie role (hint: eat less, exercise more, and skip the starchy carbs).

Looking for some great low-cal snacks that will give you a boost without breaking your diet? Jacki has some great suggestions ... all under 175 calories.

Think you're doing your body good by choosing ground turkey? Think again. Jacki tells us why label reading is a good idea when choosing meat.

Funny lady Carol Burnett shares her fitness secrets with Fitz -- and gets in a few jokes at the same time!

We're halfway through the America Takes it Off: Shrink a Size challenge and you've lost another 44 pounds! Two weeks to go ... we know you'll reach our goal of 250.

Have a great week, everyone! And if you're celebrating the inauguration, here are some healthy chili recipes -- it's Barack Obama's favorite homemade meal, you know!

Kevin Jonas, the eldest of the teenage heartthrob trio, The Jonas Brothers, has dreams of being in the White House. But not necessarily in the Oval Office. No, Kevin dreams of bowling at the White House. He said, "I know there's a bowling alley. And if I ever got the honor to bowl at the White House...."

It's not such a far-fetched goal. The Jonas Brothers are performing at a January 19th Inauguration concert hosted by Michelle Obama. Plus, the brothers met Malia and Sasha Obama when they were on the set of the Ellen show; the famous siblings played ping-pong together. (In case you were wondering -- the girls won.)

It looks to me like you've got a couple ins to the White House lanes, Kevin. While the rest of us are more likely to bowl a perfect game than bowl at the White House, it's not a bad choice for a weekend activity. It's certainly no replacement for your fitness routine, but bowling is not without some fitness perks.

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A lot has been said about President-elect Barack Obama's love of food. He's got favorite restaurants all over Chicago -- both chichi gourmet hot spots and local greasy spoons. But his favorite meal to cook at home is rumored to be chili.

Chili is the perfect comfort food, especially in these frigid winter temperatures. But as much as he loves food, Barack Obama is also committed to diet and fitness. I mean, who couldn't notice that when those shirtless pics from Hawaii popped up?

Our future Mr. President will probably be too busy in the next 100 days to cook up a pot of chili, but if you're in the mood for a bowl of Barack Obama's favorite food, here are some tips for making this spicy dish a little healthier.

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Apparently, Oprah declared she would lose 15 pounds before Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration. She gave trainer Bob Greene a whole five weeks to whip her into shape (he said it's possible) and with one week left to go, I wonder how the talk show superstar is doing. I mean, I want to believe the girl can do it, because in years past, she has done it. But she's also undone it. So there's no telling what Oprah will reveal on the big night -- a quick slimdown or a slow status quo.

For a peek at Oprah's weight-loss ups and downs, check out this OK magazine slide show. Then tell us in the poll below how you think Ms. O will look when her favorite Democrat is sworn in.


Want to kick-start your own slimdown? Check out America Takes It Off by clicking on the badge below.

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The Obama family has a Christmas tradition of visiting the President-elect's home state of Hawaii. This year is no exception. And, while Barack Obama is ridiculously busy selecting cabinet members and preparing for his transition to the White House, I'm glad to see he's keeping a family tradition intact.

Daily Mail has a photo snapped of President-elect Obama while on vacation, and he's looking kind of ripped. Not surprising, really. We already knew how important fitness is to the Obama family. What is surprising is when you scroll down the Daily Mail article and see the photo of Barack Obama that was taken on his vacation last year.

When you compare his abs from 2007 to 2008, it appears that in the midst of his hectic and stressful campaign, Barack Obama has toned up. Whatever your opinion of our up and coming President is, you have to admit that's inspirational. If he can find the time to get more fit while campaigning to be President of the United States, than surely the rest of us can find time, too. And, as Barack Obama certainly knows, physical activity is the healthiest way to manage your stress level.

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