There have been times when I have considered moving my personal weight loss chronicles to another blog. I have wondered: Why should I blog about fitness and weight loss on a site called Local Fun for Kids? But, every time I see a statistic about obesity in America, it reminds me why I need to keep this going here.
Did you know, according to LetsMove.gov:
Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled. Now, nearly one in three American kids are overweight or obese. - Kids ages 8 to 18-years old spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including, TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies. More than 30% of high school students don't get the recommended levels of physical activity.
- If America stays on this track, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will face diabetes and many others will battle chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.
Those statistics are mind boggling. Fortunately, my kids are extremely active and neither of them have weight issues. I want to keep it that way. I want to be a role model for them. It's important for me to encourage them to stay active by showing them that I am active. I'm not perfect, but I want to do my best to encourage healthy eating too. My kids' eating habits are developing now and my six year old and I have already had many conversations about high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and other things we try to avoid.
I recently started having bi-weekly phone consultations with a Dietitian which is really helping to keep me on track. I've been exercising at least 3-4 times a week, and started Weight Watchers too. I love my Dietitian because she keeps me focused. She understands that a "diet" isn't what I need. I really need to slowly implement better fitness and eating habits so that they can last a lifetime. If it means doing 3-4 work-outs a week and Weight Watchers 2 days a week, and slowing working up, than that's what I need to do.
So, I hope you stick with me on this journey. I know there are lots of other moms who are in the same boat. No matter what your body type, staying healthy and being active is important to everyone.
"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake."
- First Lady Michelle Obama at the Let’s Move! launch on February 9, 2010