PHYSICAL FITNESS
A commitment to physical fitness
comes with lifelong benefits. You might be surprised at what you‘re capable of.
improved
performance
People pursue sports and fitness for many reasons but achieving mediocrity is not usually one of them. Wyoming Congressional Award doesn't seek to create superstar athletes, but it does encourage goals that lead to increased performance, which means something different to each individual. Hard work will help you achieve your goal no matter what.
new
skills
Whether you commit to learning a sport or devoting yourself to mastering higher-level skills, you'll be entering new and exciting territory when it comes to skill level. Research shows that physical activity increases focus and sustains or improves mental acuity—so even if you aren't headed to the pros, your new-found athleticism will benefit you over the long haul.
improved quality of life
With more screens and distractions than in any point in human history, sedentary activities can dominate your life. In fact, only 50% of U.S. adolescents get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Once you commit to regular fitness goals, however, your quality of life will improve—better sleep, better mood, better self-image, better academics. Better quality of life.
Winning is nice, but it's not everything.
What's really important is measurable growth.
Whether you're committing to improve skills in a sport or activity you already do or learn something completely new, there are so many opportunities to grow. You have to expect big things of yourself and put in the work. It's amazing what commitment can do.
Your activities can be competitive but your goal cannot.
Example: “I will improve my basketball skills so that my free-throw percentage will increase from 35 to 40 percent. Within one year I hope to advance from junior varsity to the level of a varsity player.”
This goal does not work: “I will become the captain of the basketball team;” (Becoming captain of the team depends on the decisions of others.)
Your goal can involve a new activity or achievement of a new level of performance in an ongoing activity. Be sure to include relevant physical fitness statistics to ensure that a challenging, objective goal can be achieved.
When relevant, use specific details such as:
experience level, weight, heart rate, respiration, specific skills, times and distances, batting or hitting averages, average scores
PHYSICAL
FITNESS
BRONZE
CERTIFICATE
SILVER
CERTIFICATE
GOLD CERTIFICATE
BRONZE
MEDAL
SILVER
MEDAL
GOLD
MEDAL
TOTAL HOURS NEEDED
TOTAL HOURS NEEDED
15
30
45
50
100
200
n/a
n/a
6 months of activity
7 months of activity
12 months of activity
24 months of activity
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
JOHN F. KENNEDY