| One of the biggest misconceptions people have | | | | your children about healthy eating and the importance |
| today is what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. Just | | | | of activity not only as a child but as they grow into |
| because you exercise does not mean you are | | | | adulthood. So you need to be a good role model. We |
| healthy. I hear much too often, oh, I can eat this | | | | have discussed in other articles, taking the stairs |
| because then I will work 30 or 40 minutes on the | | | | instead of the elevator, and walking from the far end |
| treadmill, jogging, walking, (fill in the blank with the | | | | of the parking lot. Joining a gym or having exercise |
| exercise of choice). NO, NO, NO! Once in a while | | | | equipment (bikes, trampolines, DVDs) in your home. |
| transgressions are one things, however, if you want | | | | One of the cutest things is for a young child to |
| to be healthy you need to eat healthy and exercise, | | | | watch their mom or dad watching a video or working |
| the two go hand in hand. | | | | out on a piece of exercise equipment and trying to |
| Now, think about this, if you think this way as an | | | | emulate them. What a perfect opportunity for you |
| adult, what are you teaching your children. Yep, that | | | | to show them how to dance, jog, jump rope so they |
| is it OK to eat junk food as long as you are active. | | | | can do something right along with you. |
| Not only that, so many parents, say well my kids eat | | | | Next be sure you let them be active in the planning |
| all this stuff but don't gain any weight, so it is OK. NO | | | | and preparation of meals. Let them give their input. |
| IT IS NOT! While on the surface, you think it is, it is | | | | Take the time to talk to them about the foods you |
| doing major damage to both yours and your child's | | | | are making and they are eating. And please don't tell |
| body. Think high blood pressure, cardiovascular | | | | me you don't have the time, make the time or in all |
| disease and diabetes. | | | | honesty why did you have children! |
| Remember folks the old adage "you are what you | | | | Yes, we want our children to be active and involved. |
| eat" applies here. We all carry over what we learn in | | | | However, one big caveat here is to limit the number |
| our childhood into our lives as adults. You are setting | | | | of activities your children get involved with. Too |
| the foundation here for a lifetime of bad eating for | | | | many children today join everything to please their |
| your child. Do you really want to do that? No, I don't | | | | parents and they are exhausted! So be realistic with |
| think so. So you need to set an example and start | | | | their time just as you would be with yours. Be sure |
| eating healthier and continue to be active. Right now | | | | to emphasize to your child that they don't have to |
| the majority of children that are active are doing so | | | | be involved in everything. Emphasis that if they do |
| through after school or organized sports activities | | | | too much they are going to make compromises in |
| that interest them. However, what happens when | | | | one or more activities and that isn't fair to that |
| they get older, when these activities are no longer a | | | | particular group. Talk to them about down time. Be |
| part of his/her life. You got it, sedentary behavior | | | | sure they know it is OK to relax. We need balance in |
| because you didn't provide the role model they | | | | our life and the only way to be sure we do is to do |
| needed for a healthy lifestyle. You need to provide | | | | everything in moderation and get that down time for |
| them with other choices besides just sporting | | | | ourselves. Relaxing restores our balance which is so |
| activities: walking, jogging, riding, jumping rope, | | | | very important for healthy living. |
| aerobics to name a few. | | | | So let's start today to show our children that Healthy |
| It is one of your responsibilities as a parent to teach | | | | Eating + Activity = Healthy Lifestyle! |