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INDIAN WELLS - Former President Bill Clinton was joined by celebrities, athletes and doctors Tuesday for an inaugural conference held in partnership with the Humana Challenge.

KMIR6's Elizabeth Beaubien spent the day at the conference held at the Renaissance Esmerelda in Indian Wells.

Tuesday's discussions put on by the Clinton Foundation were based on the health problems facing our country.

Primarily those that are preventable - like obesity and type II diabetes.

The most outstanding messages of the day - educate - keep it simple - and move more and eat less.

The newly named Humana Challenge - formerly the Bob Hope Classic - began with talks on ways to make America healthier - and a panel of well known faces.

Lead by one of the most recognized and respected men in the world - former President Bill Clinton a longtime friend of the late Bob Hope.

"We hope the work we are doing to carry on hop's legacy of service and tournament with goal to make every person make a lifelong commitment to wellness and to be involved with family and community - to encourage healthy living in others," said former President Clinton.

Clinton moderated the discussion between health and fitness experts about the best ways to cure America's obesity problem one of the biggest health concerns facing our nation.

"One out of two Americans have diabetes or prediabetes," said Dr. Mark Hyman with the Institute for Functional Medicine.

They are startling statistics and the problem is even worse in impoverished communities.

"We need to educate," said former Congressman Richard Gephardt.

Fitness Guru Jillian Michaels encouraged Americans get moving.

We spoke to Michaels one on one - and asked her how Americans can get motivated to change their unhealthy lifestyles.

"You have to identify your reasons because getting healthy is accessible and doable - I didn't say it was easy - it has to be worth it - what are your reasons you want to change - identify your why and let that motivate you," said Michaels.

NBC NEWS Chief Health Correspondent who also spoke at the health conference says obesity is the biggest health problem facing Americans but believes it is reversible.

"There is a real chance to make a difference, but goes back to simple things in life, you have to eat well and make food affordable to people, get outside, and in this area - no excuses, and unplug from all tech suff we are stuck with," said Dr. Nancy Snyderman.

It simple advice - that can prevent some very serious diseases.

President Clinton also spoke to the audience about his friend - the legendary Bob Hope - Clinton said he became friends with hope back in 1979 when Hope entertained students at the University of Arkansas and Clinton was a young governor.

Their friendship lasted over the years - and the former president told the crowd he played golf with Hope in Washington, DC when he was president and hope was 95 years old.

Hope was still walking the course at that age and credited his health and longevity to walking at least an hour every day, no matter what.
 
It was perfect weather Tuesday to get moving and spend some time outdoors which many people did Tuesday with a workout on the lawn here of the Esmerelda Resort - It was lead by Jillian Michaels - who you may recognize from the biggest loser on NBC.

Jillian had the group working - raising their heart rates with jumps and pushups and lunges. A great workout for those who made it out there bright and early at 7:45 in the morning.