I was watching my son's high school band give a sneak peak "parents only" performance the other day and noticed that the vast majority of the kids involved were at a healthy weight. Now granted, these are band kids, not football or soccer players, but they are moving regularly with practices several times each week.
As it turns out with kids because they're growing, it doesn't take as much effort as it does with adults to help them get to or to maintain a healthy weight. What it takes is a few small, yet significant changes that help your kids reap healthy dividends for a lifetime.
Here's a few questions to ask yourself if you want to help your kids get to a healthier weight:
Can we eliminate fruit juice and substitute water or low fat/nonfat milk for most or all of their liquids
Can I put out healthy snacks on the counter for them to snack on when they get home from school
o Cut up fruit
o Baby Carrots with low fat ranch dip or humus
o Low fat string cheese
Can I stop buying cookies, crackers, chips and other snack items
Can we forgo sports drinks, vitamin enhanced waters and other drinks that are loaded with calories
Can we skip the smoothies (400-500 calories each) and go for frozen yogurt with calcium and protein
Can my child walk or bike to school? What if you walk or bike with them
While the weather is still nice, how about a walk after dinner
Can we start weekend bike rides, hikes or walks together
Basketball, Wall Ball, a game of catch or frisbee anyone
When are the sign ups for after school sports, and
Am I exercising regularly as a good example for my kids?
Let's all move together toward a healthier weight.