NJ family wins national fitness competition

The Blair family of New Jersey bested the competition Friday to win the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Fourth Annual Triple Play Fit Family Challenge in Miami.

The Blairs were among five families chosen to be semi-finalists based on improvements in diet and exercise. The challenge competition included navigating an obstacle course, performing in a talent show, and answering questions in a quiz show about healthy food choices.

Heather Blair and her family live at the McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Her husband, Scott, is a captain in the Air Force.

The competition prompted Blair to get her two children, Paige, 11, and Braxton, 9, more involved in menu planning.

“They’re actually saying, ‘Well I need to make sure I have a protein on my plate,’ ‘ I need to make sure I have my fruits and veggies,’ ‘What item am I choosing to add to this meal that’s a grain?'” she said.

In preparing for the challenge, Heather Blair said she’s learned about the importance of health and family.

“Pay attention to the foods that you put in your body,” she said. “And then put the electronics down for a little bit and spend some quality time together — even if it’s taking a walk, playing a board game, going, you know, just down the street to pick up the mail and have a conversation.”

The Blairs have won an all-expense paid trip to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America began the program in 2005 to encourage kids to eat healthier foods and to become more physically active.