In my most recent post I talked about a program that I'm going to start running around town. I'm brainstorming ideas on things that would be most helpful.
Basically, we're looking to work with kids and possibly the parents when it comes to almost a "FIT camp" - a combination of exercises, fun activities, nutritional guidance and possible motivational speakers and tips to help these families eat and live healthier lives.
I'm thinking of what we've done in the past - and things that may have worked for you, that you think would benefit a program like this. We're talking about working with the families from within - both with the kids to show them that sports can be fun (some of these kids would feel uncomfortable playing with their 'healthy' peers), and we also want to approach the parents with educational materials - for example, showing visuals with measuring out HOW MUCH SUGAR is in a can of pop (measure out the sugar and physically show them) - as well as giving them healthy alternatives.
I want this to be the best possible program to reach out to the people who need it most.
So - what do you think would work in a program like this? If you were a parent with a child in this scenario, what would YOU want to see?
Thanks!
9 comments:
Well, I'm not a parent, but I have thought about how my parents raised me and some things I know I'm going to change.
1. don't make fast food a reward or a "treat". I remember when I would get good grades, or do good in a soccer game my parents would take me out to eat at my favorite fast food place. I think that is why I ate so much of it when I got older because it had such a positive/good feeling associated with it.
2. I'm going to make sure I get outside at least 3 times a week and play with my kids, it might be just throwing a baseball or do some gardening, anything because I think that will make us closer and we'll be burning calories.
3. Control portions, I don't think my parents did anything wrong here, but just show the difference between a meal one would cook for themselves compared to what you get at a resturaunt and how you'll almost always over eat at a resturaunt.
These are just a couple of ideas I have....hope it helps.
All three of those are fantastic. I'll be using all three.
I'll take 103 more if you've all got them!
oh, if you are talking about how parents can help their kids, try to explain to them that their kids will do what they do. If they always talk about how much they hate exercise, then chances are their kids are going to hate it.
I guess a great way to exercise with your kids (this is probably for ages 4-12) is to make it seem like it's not exercise. I mean, you and I are at the point where we are activly seeking out exercise programs because we are overweight. I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, I use to be outside all the time playing hockey or whatnot and I never thought of it as exercise. I just wanted to have fun, and did. Then I got older and video games became part of my life, along with eating horribly because my family was always busy so it'd either be something quick like macoroni and cheese, or fast food.
Sorry, this is going on for a while, but basically what is sucessful for me is planning. If I know I'm going to have a crazy busy day, I'll make my meals the day before, get the ready to go and take them with me. If I had a family, I think I'd do the same thing. Maybe I wouldn't cook it the night before but I'd have everything ready because when I'm not ready that leads to bad choices.
Much like drinking for me now, I need to set a limit of how much I want to drink otherwise I could be 12-20 beers in and think nothing of it. But if I plan and say I'm going to have six and get a nice buzz I almost always stop at six..
If I think of anything else I'll let you know
That's what I'm going to put into my program ..
"kids, when you're out drinking, you need to limit it to six beers" ;)
Seriously though, these are all helpful. I'm working through strategies for parents as a major focus on this because chances are - where there are fat kids, it starts in the home with the bad examples.
So many ways to go with this - I found a great site (Kidshealth.com) and have been working on this for a while today.
Keep 'em coming!
well, you have to take into consideration that I'm 24...if I'm 24 and six is enough for me, you may want to tell the kids to limit it to 2-3, just to be on the safe side
Depends on if it's imported or the cheap stuff ;)
1. Use games to get them moving, and the more non-competitive and teamwork -oriented, the better. Let them move at their own pace.
2. The visuals stuff is a great idea. Also, if you could swing it, a cooking class or two wouldn't be a bad idea, but don't you think about holding it- I know our local grocery stores do stuff like that, so maybe you could find a local program and then make it a group outing?
3. Certain activities will be limited, depending on how overweight the child is. Take the kid's lead and don't force 'em to do activities they can't get on the third or fourth try. Also remember that these kids might give up too easily, so there will be a fine line there.
4. Parents who have overweight kids also tend to have some parenting issues- such as too strict or too lenient, too busy, etc. Arming a parent with a few of those techniques is a good thing, so perhaps a psychologist would be a good speaker.
5. Nutritionists are your best friend. Find one and enlist his/her help.
6. For more ideas on how a community is pulling this together, go to http://www.healthysiouxfalls.org
7. Rewards are a kids best friend. Have daily, weekly, and/or monthly rewards for being active and logging it. The rewards don't have to be expensive, and they can be cumulative (save your reward for a greater prize)
8. Once a week, take 15 min for the family to sit down and plan supper for the next week. This will do amazing things.
I probably have more ideas floating around here somewhere. Pick my brain if you want more!
Inspiring Tuck. Truely.
As parents Jim and I try not to make "eating everything on your plate" the priority. When riley tells she's done, she's full-plate goes away. No "clean plate club" or "starving kids in Africa/China, etc" speech.
Parents have to stock the house up with HEALTHY food. Snacks and candy, yeah, but in moderation.
I read something in a magazine that might help too-a mom gave her kids so much money (think monolopoly money) a week that they could spend when they wanted snacks. Fruits, and healthy snacks were cheaper to buy-candy, etc more expensive. If the kids spent all their "money" they could only have veggie sticks. I thought it was GREAT. I will see if I can find the article-what a GREAT idea to reinforce and encourage snacks, but HEALTHY snacks.
Keep the good ideas flowing Tuck-and they will listen. :)
This sounds great Rob - and it's right up your alley!
I could tell you're really enthusiastic about it when I talked to you the other night. I'm sure you will do a great job, and it will definitely look good on the resume when you start looking for full time teaching positions. :)
I'm really impressed with all the great ideas that are coming from your post responses too. Good luck with all this !!
Tom
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