“Any combination of steps–making fruits and vegetables part of every meal, limiting treats, walking and playing, even shopping together—can add up to make a real difference in children’s lives and help build healthy habits for life.”

– LetsMove.gov: For Parents

Parents can really make a difference in helping kids develop healthy habits. You already know that. Think of a way to do it better.

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If you want to help your kids develop healthy habits, you need to have healthy habits. I don’t think there is any way around that. Why would you expect your kids to choose vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods — both now and as they get older — when as parents we gorge ourselves on fast food, sodas and cookies for the majority of our meals?

“You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is impor­tant to your family.”

– American Heart Association: Help Children Develop Healthy Habits

I’ve never been prouder of my 2-year-old daughter than when she says “I want brock-lee [broccoli]” or ” I want a ooornge [orange]. What really makes me happy is when she says “I wanna go yunnin [running] with daddy.”

My wife and I certainly aren’t perfect but we try to set a good example for our little one each day. We all feel better — yes, even the little one — when we get plenty of physical activity and eat nutritious foods.

My daughter stuffing her face with broccoli and sweet potatoes.

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“These overall increases in dietary intake are significant for the overall sample and are largest for the 19- to 50-year-old age group; among this age group, the weekend day increase (vs. weekday) is 115 kcal/d.”

On that note, have a great weekend and keep working towards better habits.

Source: Obesity Research: Weekend Eating in the United States Is Linked with Greater Energy, Fat, and Alcohol Intake

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I try my best to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits because I want to give myself the best chance of living chronic-disease free for as long as I can.  I want to live a long, healthy life along side my wife and daughter (and any other kids that come our way).  I’m not perfect at it, but I try everyday. 

That’s why.

Please comment on why you execise and/or eat healthy.  I am really curious about your reasons.  If you never have left a comment, or never do again, that’s fine.  Looking forward to your responses.

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Their mission includes ending “chronic preventable disease in the U.S. by offering people and organizations a weekly prompt to start and sustain healthy behaviors.”

[My daughter in a funny sleeping position from a few months ago].

“Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.”

— CDC: Sleep and Chronic Disease

The Tip: We know we need sleep.  Our bodies love to sleep.  Give your body the rest it needs.

The Challenge: Decide today how you can create better sleep habits for yourself.  Here are some sleeping tips from the CDC.  See if you can improve on any of these. 

Have a healthy Monday!

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Source: Pre-School: Healthy Habits for Life Child Care Resource Kit: Get Moving

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Here are a couple of my published articles from LiveSTRONG.com:

Practical Ways to Lose Weight

Cardiorespiratory Endurance Exercises

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

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Their mission includes ending “chronic preventable disease in the U.S. by offering people and organizations a weekly prompt to start and sustain healthy behaviors.”

The Tip: Walk.  So basic.  So simple.  So awesome.  Walking can provide tons of benefits for everone.  Never underestimate the workout you’ll get from a good walk.

The Challenge: Just walk.  Today, the challenge is for all of us to walk farther than we normally would.  How?  Here are some ideas:

• Walk to run your errands
• Choose the farthest parking space available everywhere you go (or park a couple of blocks away)
• Walk around the block
• Walk around the block twice
• Just head out your door and start walking!

It’s Monday.  Get your week off to a great start by getting in a walk.  Shoot for a total of at least 30 minutes of walking time.

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Making healthy changes in our lives takes time.  It takes patience, determination, and dedication.  The key is actually starting and staying consistent. 

No matter where you are in your get-healthier journey, remember that it’s YOUR journey and no one else’s.  It’s easy to want to compare yourself to other people’s health/fitness levels, and that can sometimes be discouraging.  Don’t do it.  You are where you are and if you’re making the necessary changes that you need to, that is just fine.

I ran my first half marathon last weekend and had a great time.  After I finished I headed home to shower up and then we went out to breakfast.  It had been a while since I had finished by the time we drove by the course to get to where we were going.  There were still runners out there plugging away to the finish.  It was awesome to see.  They’re on their own journey and they’re doing just fine.

Same thing happens at triathlons.  I don’t have the best equipment, I just make do with what I have.  On the bike leg, people are flying by me on their rocket-ship bikes.  Yeah, it’s frustrating, but I’m not competing with them.  I’m competing with myself trying to beat my previous best time.  It’s my journey.

Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to others, especially when it comes to health.  If you are making a legit effort to improve your health, then you are doing what you can. 

So what if you read so-and-so’s blog and they did something awesome that you can’t do… congratulate them and don’t compare.  So what if you get passed by slow, old grandpas and grandmas during a race… keep plugging away to the finish. 

Remember, it’s your journey and if you’re honestly doing your best trying to get yourself healthier, then you are on the right path.

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The folks at Intermountain LiVe have come up with the Park Farther Project.  Pretty cool. 

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