NFLRUSH

Roberto Garza

Roberto Garza Antonio Gates Gary Baxter

The other day, NFLRUSH spoke to Roberto Garza, offensive guard for the Chicago Bears, and asked him some questions about exercising, his workouts, staying fit and eating healthy. Here's what Roberto had to say:

ROBERTO: With all the talk about child obesity problems and diabetes in kids, health and fitness is more important than ever. Nutrition is really important for kids to learn - eating a healthy breakfast, taking vitamins, etc. I know most kids don't like eating greens - spinach and other stuff - but they say "the greener the better" and it's true. Kids also have to eat lots of carbs, so they'll have fuel to be active.

Eating healthy is the best thing you can do for your body. Kids should definitely stay away from fast foods - foods that are high in fat, like fries. It's the same for me. Being an NFL player requires exercise and healthy nutrition habits.

"Being active for 60 minutes a day really isn't that hard. You could walk to school or around the block, or go out and play something with friends that you really like to play with. That's easy."

ROBERTO: I played hard when I was a kid. I've been playing football since the 7th grade. But one summer, in high school, I worked a lot at a job and didn't really practice football at all. I hardly worked out. I was also eating really badly - a lot of fast food. Then, I went to training camp (for the high school team) and realized how out of shape I was. I was tired and my body cramped up.

It took me almost two weeks of exercise and working out to get back into shape like the other kids. I realized then that I needed to always work out regularly and to eat right. My body told me, so I became committed to getting healthy and staying healthy. I knew I had to do that if I wanted to continue playing football.

ROBERTO: I work out very often - I run, do cardio exercises, lots of drills, spend a lot of time in the weight room. As a pro player you have to workout every part of your body - you have to be strong and fit. I stay active in the long off-season by working out, of course, and playing basketball.

How well do you think you know Roberto? Guess how many pushups he can do and check back next week when we tell you in Part 2 of the NFLRUSH interview with Roberto Garza!