I can’t help it. I adore Michelle Obama. I may disagree with some of the things her husband does but hey, what woman really wants to be judged solely on her husband? Certainly not a woman with a degree from Princeton and a Law degree from Harvard.

First lady Obama made an appearance in Des Moines last Thursday to support her healthy lifestyle initiative in cooperation with the governor’s healthiest state initiative. Poking around on the Internet on Thursday night, I came across a video of the first lady performing the “Interlude Dance” with the UNI students who created it. It made me smile. What other first lady could you imagine doing the techno dance filled with classic moves like the robot?

Jacqueline Kennedy’s pillbox hat certainly would have fallen off, Eleanor Roosevelt would probably have broken a hip, and I’m sure even Barbara Bush’s sweet, reserved demeanor would not have been conducive to the dance.

But Michelle Obama got on the stage in her smart yet casual trousers and sweater and danced away with a smile on her face.

The first lady’s actions always strike me as sincere. Maybe they are just a publicity stunt, maybe they aren’t. When watching other politicians do the whole reading to elementary students, kissing babies and shaking hands act you always know its just for the photo op. With the first lady, I always get the feeling it is more deeply rooted than that.

It is somewhat interesting, although not completely out of the ordinary, that Mrs. Obama’s involvement in policy has been relatively low especially considering her advanced degrees. However, this allows her to appeal to both sides of the aisle with her personal and non-partisan projects of fitness and nutrition. She is a fine example of putting the common good out there and using her influence for a truly admirable and wholly necessary cause.

People don’t like to be told what to eat or what to do. However, the increase of obesity in the United States, especially in school age children, has made it obvious that many Americans are no longer capable of caring for themselves or for their children. We are now presented with a plethora of different food options. However, many people never actually receive the information they need in order to make healthy food choices.

So why all the hate towards Michelle’s fitness initiative? As I was told by one man (with a huge potbelly nonetheless), “I ain’t listening to her. Why should she tell me what to eat when shes such a big woman?!” I was amazed that people could have such a convoluted vision of fitness. The First Lady is not a stick thin model. She is a healthy, fit mother of two children.

It is sad that when a truly admirable public figure is finally out there for us, we can’t even recognize it. We have a down to earth, intelligent, educated and healthy woman with the influence at her fingertips for actual change and improvement in our everyday lives, and people are worried they’re going to have to eat more vegetables.

That in and of itself should be a big enough sign that we need some major nutritional education reform. So instead of bashing the first lady for taking the time and initiative to provide ideas and information that will allow our children to live a life outside of pizza and video games, take a minute to reevaluate what you find yourself doing and what you see America doing.

It’s important enough for our Republican governor and lieutenant governor to host the first lady and its important enough for us to give it a second look.