Attention Fit Kids... Did You Know...?

A Family Affair

·        3500 calories represents one pound – so in order to lose one pound in one week you have to burn more or eat less to the tune of 3500 calories.  To figure out what that means per day divide by 7.  3500 / 7=500 calories per day.  If you split that between burning 250 more and consuming 250 less that could mean…

                  -walk briskly for about an hour daily or

                  -dance for about 40 minutes daily or

                  -swim for about 30 minutes daily

                                          And

                  -don't eat a single serving size bag of  potato chips and a cookie or

                  -don't eat 11 Tostitos Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips or

                  -save 380 calories if you don't eat one piece of Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza

·        The Four Golden Rules for Altering Eating Behaviours

                        1.  Eat on schedule – 3 meals and 2 snacks

                        2.  Eat in one place – Always sit at the same place for meals and snacks. 

                             It's only OK to drink water anytime, anywhere.

                        3.  Don't do anything else while eating.  You may not study, read, watch

                             television or play while eating.

                        4.  Create your list of alternative activities that are practical for you to do

                             instead of eating.

Resource:  Trim Kids:  The Proven 12 – Week Plan That Has Helped Thousands of Children Achieve a Healthier Weight; By Melinda Sothern, Ph.D., M.Ed., C.E.P., T. Kristian von Almen, Ph.D., and Heidi Schumacher, R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E.

Kids Fitness DVD's

Try these awesome kids' fitness DVD's to boost fitness levels.  Switching workouts enables muscle confusion, promoting better all-over fitness. And these give kids an indoor option.

Fit Families Plan a Stay-cation

Stay-cations have become popular in the last couple of years, particularly since so many families have been affected by the global recession.  Most of us don't even realize what we have right in our own neighbourhood.  Every town and city has something to offer and often what the locals take for granted is what a visitor will relish.  And in many cases we haven't taken advantage of what is close by nor have we taken our kids to some of the local venues. And many of them are certainly suitable for fit kids.

I'm assuming that you want an active stay-cation with the suggestions that follow.  You don't have to be moving all the time of course, but pick at least one activity every day to do together.  After all, if you were away on a va-cation you would likely be out exploring the area nearby, probably swimming, maybe biking or hiking.  Or maybe tennis is your thing.

Have a family meeting first and find out what everyone would like to do if they could pick any activity.  Then find out what everyone would like to eat for one dinner during that week.  It may be a home delivered treat, it may involve going out to a restaurant.  This is treat time…and you can still make decent choices at most restaurants if you are careful.

You could end up staying in the city or town you live in and finding a system of bike trails you can all enjoy.  Perhaps you can pack a snack or a picnic in a backpack and make that part of the adventure.  How long and how far you go will depend on the age and fitness level of your family members. But it certainly is a great activity to aid in the creation of a fit family.

Another family member might choose bowling for a physical activity.  You could do that morning, afternoon or evening, depending on the age of your children.  It doesn't matter who is experienced.  I've seen 4 year olds just roll a ball down the alley and have a hoot.

Maybe someone will pick a water park as something they want to do.  Assuming you have one near you that could be somewhere that kids over the age of 6 or 7 can really have a blast with.  And so can you as the parent. Come on, hit the water slide and just have fun.

If one of your family members has opted for climbing then check out any of the now famous indoor climbing gyms that are all over the place.  Junior climbing is becoming really popular and I bet with enough advance notice you could book a family for a private spot.

These are just 4 possibilities.  You could satisfy everyone's wishes for 4 different meal ideas.  You may end up at home barbecuing a family favourite.  And I bet there are easily 4 movies that you could all watch together. Or if you own Wii Fit then you can enjoy any of those activities together.  There you have it…4 memorable, fun days for your family that would keep you all busy together.