Intro to Fitness

So if you become a regular reader of this blog, you'll come to learn I'm going to talk A LOT about fitness. Childhood obesity is up 200% since the 1970's. This is completely unacceptable to me. With the information we have, there is no way kids should be fat. There are several reasons kids are heavier today (most of which I'm sure you can guess). First of all it's the age of the geek! Technology runs our lives. Kids are learning to use smart phones and computers earlier and earlier. Heck, my 15 month old can unlock my phone and play games! So with video games and computer games becoming more widely available and more fun to play, kids are staying in and sitting rather than out and running. Back when I was a kid, which doesn't feel like all that long ago, during the summer months we wouldn't come in til dinner and our feet were black as tar because we ran around all day long - mostly with no shoes on - til our parents said enough. Kids don't do that anymore, they're easily bored and lacking in imagination because technology, TV and movies have taken that away. You don't need to think about how something looks, it's already there. Every book is now made into a movie ... what's the point in reading if you can watch it in a fraction of the time?! The next factor in plump kiddies is the incredibly easy access to fast food. It's everywhere, it's easy and it's cheap. Parent's who don't like to cook, don't want to cook or feel they don't have time to cook, hop in the car take the kids to McDonald's and with happy meals all around everyone's happy. But kids who don't play outside or engage in sports and eat this several times a week are doomed to be hefty. Now, in all seriousness you have to know that I do not condone all fast food. I eat it and I love it - really who doesn't? But there's such a thing as MODERATION. Special circumstances once twice a month maybe, isn't going to throw you or your kid into obesity oblivion. But so many people think that it's so easy and it's what they like ... I can't help it! Reality check! Yes you can. It's cheaper to buy a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter than it is to get a happy meal a day for a week. Peanut butter is packed with protein and it tastes AMAZING! Plus if you get your kids hooked on wheat bread, you lower the sugar intake and pump up the nutritional value!
The last, and most important reason for this trend is ... you guessed it ... the parents. If we as parents fail to set a good example to our kids, how can we expect them to take a different course. My dad told me recently that he used to choke down certain vegetables when we were kids so that my brothers and I would think if he likes them so will I. Musta worked because my oldest brother just recently found out my dad doesn't like peas. It's something we all must do. A sacrifice for the good of our children. My dad HATES peas, but he ate them early on so we would. I don't mind peas, so I think I ate enough of them early on that I can still eat them today. The point is, take your kids for bike rides, stock pile your garage with balls, sign them up for little league and teach them the goods and bads of eating! Please know that not every child is athletically inclined. It happens and it's totally fine. So what if they don't play basketball? That's no reason to not encourage them to be active! In fact there are many activities that are recently being considered sports. Rock climbing, skate boarding, even trampoline is an Olympic sport! If your kids struggle with stepping away from the computer or TV set time limits. Let them know they can only play for so long in a day. Trap them outside (with supervision of course) Tell them if they play outside for an hour they can come in and play a game for 30 minutes. I grew up playing basketball, softball, swimming and soccer every year. It became a part of my life! I'm definitely going to encourage my baby to get involved in sports for an active healthy lifestyle! And with the addition of adult leagues EVERYWHERE, it's easier for us to stay active and motivated.
So all those amazing women out there who are moms! The first step to having a healthy lifestyle is you ... set a good example and your kids will follow!