Weight Loss Tips for Kids
One of the saddest symptoms of our sedentary society is the enormous numbers of young children who are not just chubby, but frankly obese. What is also tragic is the fact that most of these kids are too young to make their own independent food and lifestyle choices. Their parents are condemning them to a life of constantly battling fat and coping with the low self-esteem that accompanies a poor body image. Most of the time, a few minor changes can make a very significant change. Try a few of these painless changes!
1) Fruit juice is very high in calories. Either run the whole fruit through a juicer or mix it half and half with club soda or seltzer.
2) Toss out or use up your unhealthy snacks and replace them with 94% fat free popcorn, low fat mozzarella sticks, nonfat yogurts and diet Jell-O.
3) Eat at home and pack lunches as much as possible. Avoid drive-through fast food like the plague. Try to cook big batches of dinner favorites and freeze them in single serve containers for quick dinners.
4) Try to plan activities that don't revolve around food. A family hike, a bike ride, a trip to the zoo are great ways to become more active. Keep it fun.
5) There is a direct correlation between obesity and television viewing. Get the television, computer, and video games out of the bedroom and put them in the living room or family room where they can be monitored.
6) When the children ask for a new video game, procrastinate and be unenthusiastic. If they ask for a trampoline, scooter or bicycle, be extremely pleased and do the best you can to provide these active toys.
7) As much as possible, let the children try any sports they want. Even if they only spend a semester trying gymnastics, tennis, figure skating, etc., it is money well spent. Think about what a gym membership would cost in comparison.
8) Be supportive and enthusiastic. Remember a child will remember the one negative comment among twenty positive comments.
9) Remember that you are buying the food and setting the example. How you view yourself will be transmitted to your children.
10) Good luck!
1) Fruit juice is very high in calories. Either run the whole fruit through a juicer or mix it half and half with club soda or seltzer.
2) Toss out or use up your unhealthy snacks and replace them with 94% fat free popcorn, low fat mozzarella sticks, nonfat yogurts and diet Jell-O.
3) Eat at home and pack lunches as much as possible. Avoid drive-through fast food like the plague. Try to cook big batches of dinner favorites and freeze them in single serve containers for quick dinners.
4) Try to plan activities that don't revolve around food. A family hike, a bike ride, a trip to the zoo are great ways to become more active. Keep it fun.
5) There is a direct correlation between obesity and television viewing. Get the television, computer, and video games out of the bedroom and put them in the living room or family room where they can be monitored.
6) When the children ask for a new video game, procrastinate and be unenthusiastic. If they ask for a trampoline, scooter or bicycle, be extremely pleased and do the best you can to provide these active toys.
7) As much as possible, let the children try any sports they want. Even if they only spend a semester trying gymnastics, tennis, figure skating, etc., it is money well spent. Think about what a gym membership would cost in comparison.
8) Be supportive and enthusiastic. Remember a child will remember the one negative comment among twenty positive comments.
9) Remember that you are buying the food and setting the example. How you view yourself will be transmitted to your children.
10) Good luck!
