Posts Tagged ‘couch potato’
From Couch Potato Mom to Athlete Mama
So you haven’t been very active for the last, let’s say….6 months….ok how about a year! Better yet, you’ve been raising kids…who the heck has time for exercise???? You’ve found yourself in a rut that you just can’t get out of and you’re comfortable with where you are at. Or are you?
Most of the time what I find with clients is two things: They lack the knowledge and/or the motivation. Some of you may be saying “but what about not having enough time?” Sorry, but I have little sympathy for that particular excuse. One kid, two kids, triplets, it doesn’t matter. If you REALLY want to be more physically fit or just healthy overall, you will make the time for it when you are motivated, and you will EDUCATE yourself via a class, the internet or through a personal trainer on all the ways you can train….so be honest with yourself when you give your excuse. 
One of the best ways I have found that really works is during lunch breaks for moms that work away in an office setting, or catching just 30 minutes during the day for moms that work at home, like stay at home moms. I stayed home for 10 years to raise my kiddos and now I work in an office, so I know that stay at home moms have THE hardest jobs out there! Another idea is joining a team and setting a goal for yourself. Grab a friend and sign up for a 5K or a 10K down the road. When you’ve spent the money on something like that, you increase the chances of making sure you make some time to train for it. You meet new people along the way too :-)
Being a good role model for the kids is very important. With obesity trends at their peak and will be for a while, it’s important that you find some type of physical activity that you enjoy. Here’s a benefit that you might have not thought about: Increased energy! Yes, you will likely lose some weight, your cholesterol levels will get better and your blood pressure readings will impress those around you….but who cares about all that right? (Yeah, yeah…I thought so). I know that I wish I had the energy levels that some of these little kids have and although I may not have all what they do, I know that even 30 minutes during my lunch time gets me more alert and able to focus on what I need to get done. Again, let me remind you that I was a stay at home mom for quite some time, so I know how tiring it can be, especially when you have more than 1 child under the age of 2.5! But it’s worth it to try and get some fresh air…some alone time if you can….some sunshine on your skin (wear sunblock!) and your kid(s) will love spending that time moving with you. It won’t always be easy. I get it. But it will just get harder as time goes on to get that weight off, or to change your motivation, or to be more energetic. In my book, you don’t have to be a triathlete, a marathon runner, a cyclist, a hiker, or swimmer to be considered an athlete. Put your faith in yourself to do little by little to keep being active. Break a sweat 4-5 times a week. I didn’t ask you to come home drenched. Just break it. You’ll be glad you did!
Why in the world would you want a fit kid?
Are you looking at the title and saying to yourself, “Why is she asking this? ” Well, I ask because I think it’s a legitimate question for parents. How much do you know about the importance of having a fit kid, other than the fact that you could stave off extra pounds of fat around his or her tummy? Well, the truth is, that kids who are overweight or obese tend to have more health problems as kids AND are at a 50% increased risk of being overweight as adults! Scary….
Dear mom and dad: get your kid moving, because THIS isn’t cutting it!!! 
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, overweight or obese children and adolescents are at risk for many health problems. Some of the negative health outcomes that may be more obvious to children and their parents are asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections, and complaints of joint pain. In addition, research indicates that obese children have lower self esteem and self confidence than their thinner peers. Low self esteem and self confidence have been linked to poor academic performance, fewer friends, and depression. How’s that for an eye opener?!
So what can YOU do? For starters, if your child or teen is a video game or tele junkie, then it has to be either removed or at a minimum, reduce the time used to play and watch TV. The boob tube doesn’t have too many redeeming qualities these days anyway, with all the crap that’s on and not even appropriate for kids. Then we wonder why they are growing up so fast (totally my 2 cents here).
Here are some ways to help you, help your child to be more active:
- Find a fun activity that your child will enjoy
- Choose an age appropriate activity
- Provide a safe environment
- Be a role model for your child
- Play with your child
- Make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician ;-)
- TURN OFF THE TV!
Gosh just looking at this drives me crazy! But I d-i-g-r-e-s-s (there’s that word :) Having a fit kid has plenty of benefits. The obvious one is having a lower BMI (body mass index). You want to make sure that your child/teen has a healthy amount of body fat, not too much or too little for that matter. While being able to run around is great when you’re lighter on your feet, it also gives them more confidence and ambition to participate in group sports. Self esteem has been shown to increase with the decrease of weight when needed. Being at a healthy weight reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, which unfortunately for many kids these days is becoming a more common diagnosis. Want your kids to have better grades in school? Studies have shown that exercise may actually boost academic performance by burning off pent-up energy, boosting mood and increasing blood flow to the brain.
There are Three Elements of Fitness which parents can focus on whether your child is in elementary school or high school. There is endurance, strength, and flexibility, and the earlier you start teaching them this, the better. For example, when your kid is running away from the kid who’s “it” , it builds endurance. When your kids is crossing the monkey bars, it builds strength, and when your kids bend down to tie their shoes, it builds flexibility. By doing different activities, you are helping to encourage your “mini me’s” develop these elements of exercise. 
Finally, be a role model…a GOOD role model. There’s only so much credibility when you push someone to be healthy but you’re not doing it yourself. Lets get real now! Would you really want to take exercise advice from someone that isn’t fit? Ok, ok…maybe they’re on a “break”, but they shouldn’t let it get out of control that they’ve let themselves go either. Get outside with your child. Go walk the dog with them, ride your bike with her, kick the ball with him and don’t forget to eat well together. By “well” I mean healthy of course.
It’s pretty amazing to think that you could have so much to do with the longevity of your offspring and how they will live after you are gone. Will it be to a healthy (for the most part) 85-90 years old, or a medicine ridden cabinet and in an electric wheelchair when they are 60? It can all start with you…
The parent.
