Fitness can be fun.

Whether you are an adult trying to lose weight or a child trying to build life-long habits, exercise should be part of your everyday routine. It isn't hard to fit fitness into your life and it should be enjoyable, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports wants to teach people.

The council has created a five-city tour to give local children and citizens a day of fitness.

"We want them to know exercise doesn't have to be something that hurts your body, that hula-hooping is an activity, that jump-roping is an activity," said Kay Kurka, wellness director for Wyoming Health Fairs.

Wyoming Health Fairs is one of several volunteer organizations helping at Thursday's stop in Casper.

About 650 third-graders from Natrona County School District will participate in Thursday morning's activities and the general public is invited to join, said Tammy Till, state wellness coordinator.

Children and accompanying adults will visit "stations" to teach them about nutrition and sun protection or show them a fun physical activity, such as martial arts, dancing or yoga. Each group will visit each station for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Then, around noon, the council wants community members to join the students in a one-mile Wellness Walk, Till said.

"It's during the lunch hour so we can get adults out of the office," said Till, who is also the co-chair of the governor's council. "Our goal is to make fitness fun not only for the students but for the adults."

The council has held the fitness event in Cheyenne for the past five years, but wanted to expand the successful event to other cities, Till said.

May is National Health and Fitness Month, and the third Wednesday in May is Employee Fitness Day.

The event will give adults ideas of how to "get out of the cubicle" during the day and fit fitness into their lives, Till said.

Kurka said the event will help students develop healthy eating and exercising habits.

"Get them started and make it something they want to do," Kurka said. "We don't want them to turn 21 and say they are fat."

In Casper, Joel Dvorak, superintendent of NCSD, and Kate Sarosy, city councilwoman, will speak. Kids will also receive a backpack filled with information and a biodegradable water bottle.

Students of different ages will participate in events at other sites, but everyone who attends will have fun and learn how to bring that fun to fitness.

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.

Breakout

Get fit on the tour:

Buffalo - Tuesday, May 19 at Clear Creek Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Powell - Wednesday, May 20 at Powell Middle School from 8:15 to 11 a.m.

Casper - Thursday, May 21 at North Soccer Fields from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lander - Thursday, May 21 at Lander Valley High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cheyenne - Friday, May 22 at Holliday Park and YMCA from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.