I saw an approximately 8-year-old child yesterday at the grocery store. She was lying on the ground and yelling, “I want a chocolate bar,” while flailing her arms and legs. I could have foreseen what would happen. Until mom placed a chocolate bar in the shopping cart, the child continued to scream. The crying stopped right away.
As they passed, I observed the items in the staple truck – Coco Puffs oat, pop, 3 mass packs of potato chips, chocolate covered granola bars, macaroni and cheddar, sausages… you get the float. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but worry about that child’s future.
You see, I used to be that overweight little girl a long time ago. I ate chips, chocolate bars, and hotdogs to alleviate the pain of being unhappy with my body. Because I was aware that my mother lacked patience and would simply give me what I wanted, I threw tantrums.
I weighed 135 pounds at 4 feet 11 inches when I was 12 years old. I was put on a strict diet by my doctor. I would, on the other hand, take money from my parents to buy candy. I couldn’t understand it. Before, I was permitted to consume those foods. Why were rebuffing me? More, I detested myself.
Being overweight as a child was uncommon in the early 1980s. However, in 2006, one in three children in the United States was overweight. Likely, both parents work full-time, leaving less time for healthy eating and exercise. Inexpensive food and exercise have assumed control over the family perch.
I’m sorry I have to pass this on to parents, but children only follow your example. If they see that you’re not eating well; They will do the same.
Adopting and enforcing these FitnessGear101.com family lifestyle changes will help you practice what you preach:
• Define the distinction between unhealthy and healthy food choices.
• With your child, sit down and make a list of the groceries to buy each week.
• Take them to the grocery store with you and only buy the items on the list.
• Involve children in the preparation of nutritious meals to instill healthy lifestyle habits in them.
• Protecting our children from ridicule is normal. Anyway assuming your kid is hefty their well-being is in danger and genuine affection and consolation are required, for instance: “Honey, you are overweight, yet I have faith in you and I’ll uphold you since I love you.”
• Never reward yourself with food. Rather reward them with smaller-than-normal hitting on the fairway or baseball.
• Get rid of the “clean-plate” policy. Don’t force your child to finish if they are full.
• Establish a transparent food policy. Kids should be able to tell you when they’re hungry and when they’re not hungry without worrying that you’ll be mad at them.
• Snacks should not be skipped. It will result in lying and overeating while away from home. Instead, schedule a cheat meal once per week where they can eat whatever they want.
• Empower active work. It will encourage them to socialize with other active children and get them moving.
• Never permit eating in front of a television. As a result, the child will not pay attention to how much they are eating or when they are full because of this.
• Set a daily time limit of one hour for watching television or playing video games. Keep them busy the rest of the time by engaging in outdoor activities.
