Fitness 101: How to raise a healthy child

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Since I oversee a few fitness programs in school, I have a lot of opinion on kids lifestyles. Firstly, lunches are not healthy. Secondly, physical education isn’t a priority. But most importantly…

I think parents are NOT good role models.

How could they be, right? After all, over half of Americans are overweight and a good percentage are obese. They probably fill their cupboards with unhealthy processed foods and drink soda with dinner. They probably don’t work out. They probably give their kids money for school and don’t monitor what they eat. They probably give their child a pop tart for breakfast. Most of all, they are probably being a poor example to their child. They are probably stopping by fast food restaurants instead of cooking dinner. They are probably watching hours of television. AND they are probably not getting up and getting active with their kid.

I’ve noticed that even though there are FREE programs (such as mines) in schools, not many parents enroll their kids even though their child is overweight. The parents don’t enforce attendance or hold the child accountable. Since I’ve been overseeing the program closely in these past few weeks, I’ve decided to re-design the business plan.

The first thing I know about goal setting is that in order to promote achievement, you have to have an INVESTMENT in the goal. Some people hire a trainer. Some people tell other people of their goals. Some plan a vacation or enter a contest.

Whatever the investment – there is always one. Period. Otherwise, if you skip a day of working out, if you eat poorly or sit lazily on the couch for hours, who cares? Right?

I will be re-designing my program to include an investment.

So – in order to raise a healthy child, you need to INVEST in a healthy child. It actually takes time to cook meals, perform activities with them and monitor their daily routines. It actually take a lot of time to be a role  model to your kids and invest in that effort alone.

The best thing you can do for your child is to be a role model. Even if you can’t afford the healthiest foods or have time for one hour for exercise…if your child sees that you make it a priority and that you give JUST enough every day, then they will appreciate it.

So be a role model.