Do your kids enjoy fresh air and exercise? Do they eat sweets in moderation and never complain about their brussel sprouts? If they're anything like the rest of America's children, they could probably have healthier habits. But what can you do to instill them in a culture full of fast food and TV? Here are just four tips for getting your kids off the couch.
1: Make It Fun
Your children may or may not be interested in joining you for your morning jog. If you put them on a soccer field, however, they'll cover the same distance without complaining or even realizing what they've done. The key to curbing childhood obesity is through engaging, interactive activities that don't feel like exercise at all.
2: Don't Ban Sweets
Anything you forbid will become instantly attractive to your children. A better strategy is to allow junk food in moderation so they'll understand that sugar and carbs aren't the enemy. Overindulgence is.
3: Add, Don't Subtract
In the same vein as the above, it's better if you don't throw out all the hamburgers and immediately start forcing your kids to chew tofu. Instead of making them pine for lost favorites, gradually introduce new, exciting ways to eat healthy foods that will become their favorites in time.
4: Change Your Habits
At the end of the day, there's no such thing as a quick fix to better health. If you're serious about raising your children with positive attitudes towards food and fitness, you'll need to change your routines entirely. Visit sites like KingInstitute.org to learn more.
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