We love our kids. We all have hopes that our children grow up to be healthy, good looking adults who are successful in their careers, meet the person of their dreams, and live a happy life.
Moreover, the success of our offspring is a biological imperative. Having children who are healthy and fit increases the chances of them finding a mate and having children, thus continuing our gene pool. However, having obese children reduces the chances of them meeting a mate, and even succeeding in society.
Think about it. When you were a kid, were you attracted to an obese girl/guy? Was the obese girl/guy a part of your social group? Probably not, unfortunately these kids are oftentimes ostracized.
Here's the worse part of all: Up to 63% of obese children grow up to be obese adults! And by adulthood, their bodies will already be showing signs of obesity related diseases like pre-diabetes/diabetes, coronary heart disease hypertension, and certain cancers!
We would never this to happen to our children, yet it's happening everyday!
As always the responsibility falls back onto us parents to ensure that we raise healthy, fit children. Why? Because we buy the groceries (i.e. junk food), and determine what our kids eat, we ensure whether they exercise, and we control their sedentary activities like tv, and video game time.
So what to do?
Here is a list of things that will get your kids healthy and fit, it's based on my 35-plus years experience training kids (and raising two of my own):
Start replacing processed junk foods with healthful alternatives (i.e. fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain breads, etc.).
Make meals from whole foods. If the meal comes in a box or can, it is still junk food. Also, replace dessert with fruit and nuts (natures dessert).
Have your children drink half their weight in ounces of water (i.e. if your child weighs 80 lbs. they should drink 40 ounces of water daily). This will flush out all toxins, and help reduce their cravings from unhealthy/junk foods.
Have your child exercise for a minimal of 60 minutes per day. If you can't train them, sign them up for sports, put on an exercise video that they can follow, or hire a personal fitness trainer.
Limit video game time to weekends only, and TV to no more than two hours per day; AND NEVER let them snack while they are doing these sedentary activities.
Now I know this list will not be easy to implement, especially if your children are set in their unhealthy habits. There is going to be some resistance.
A couple of things that you can do to help them succeed are:
Explain to your kids why you are doing this, and how it will benefit them (i.e. more friends, girl/boy friends etc.).
Do it with them. If you start doing these things too, there will be less resistance, especially if they see everyone else in the house is doing it.
Hire a personal fitness trainer, or coach. Kids tend to listen more to trainers/coaches than to their own parents, and it also takes you out of the bad guy role.
Don't let your child have a life of obesity, sickness, and loneliness. If you want help getting your child into shape, contact me. I will get them healthy and fit, guaranteed.
Want to get your kids in the best shape of their lives? Check out our fitness training programs here https://www.theshortfight.com/fitness
For more workouts to improve your performance for fitness and self-defense, get my book, The Short Fight, on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948LNX5M
You will also get free access to all my exercise and self-defense instructional videos by signing up at www.theshortfight.com
Until next time, Stay Fit!
Sincerely,
Lawrence Castanon,
Author, The Short Fight