On November 2, the Warriors and Kaiser Permanente, the presenting sponsor for the team’s 2016-17 season, visited San Pablo’s Lake Elementary School for a Get Fit time-out event for the school’s 425 students to promote the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Joining the students for the day’s activities was Warriors 6’9 forward James Michael McAdoo, who first popped up in the school gym to join the students for a “Juju On That Beat” dance with Warriors Jr. Jam Choreographer Alan Frias.
“I am excited to be here today with the students to talk about how important it is to eat right and get outside and exercise every day,” said McAdoo. “Growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, I always wanted to be outside playing with my friends, so it’s great to be here dancing and having fun with the students today.”
Afterwards, McAdoo walked over to a nearby classroom to join Kaiser Permanente Physician Dr. Nailah Thompson for a nutrition seminar to take an in-depth look at what sodas, energy cans and sports drinks secretly contain the most sugar. Dr. Thompson shared with students the effects of sugar on the body, and how healthy young bodies can be impacted by high sugar intake.
“Eating and drinking healthfully everyday will make students better learners in the classroom and healthier adults,” said Dr. Thompson. “Incorporating James Michael McAdoo to help them discover the amount of sugar in many popular drinks really helped the students know that water is always the healthiest, sugar-free option.”
McAdoo and the students then rushed outside to Lake Elementary School’s recess area, where they found Headstand Yoga Instructor Marta Weinstock waiting eagerly to guide them through a practice filled with Warrior stances and eagle positions. McAdoo and Weinstock then teamed up to demonstrate a buddy boat pose.
“For kids at such a young age it’s really important to make good, healthy habits in the way they are eating and getting outside and enjoying beautiful days like today,” said McAdoo. “Being here with Kaiser Permanente for the Get Fit program is just a way for them to establish these great habits.”
To complete the Get Fit circuit, the students enjoyed a Warriors Youth Basketball Clinic where they practiced their shooting, passing and rebounding skills. McAdoo excitedly coached up the students to rebound their shots, deliver crisp passes and provide encouraging words to the fast-moving students.
“It was really fun to play basketball with James Michael McAdoo and to learn how to be healthy,” said Lake Elementary 6th-grader Terrell.
To conclude the day’s Get Fit Time-Out, McAdoo led the 400 students through the Get Fit Pledge, which affirms their commitment to healthy eating choices and exercising for 60 minutes every day. The students also received a Get Fit bag filled with health-oriented supplies and snacks, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente.
The Warriors and Kaiser Permanente’s Get Fit Time-Out program aims to impact over 10,000 Bay Area youth and provide 2,000 backpacks and school supplies to schools throughout the Bay Area this season. Earlier this season, Warriors guard Patrick McCaw and Assistant Coach Mike Brown visited Millard McCollam Elementary School in East San Jose to promote healthy eating and physical activity to the school’s 320 students.