Okay.  So we all strive to raise our children with healthy habits.  Eat right, get out and play to get exercise and to understand that junk food is a special treat, not a normality.

There is so much talk about childhood obesity these days.  Something I don’t ever recall being a problem when I was growing up.  Why? Things have changed.  There is WAY too much TV time, too much “down time” with video games and computer time.  Also with the busy lifestyles of many Americans these days, children don’t get much outdoor play because life requires too much out of us these days.  Our children’s fails in weight and health, in my opinion generally boil down to the parents.  WE are that…their parents.  So not only do we need to make sure we get THEM to live healthy, but we OURSELVES need to live by example and live healthy ourselves.

We encourage our kids to “go out and play”.  However, what are we doing while they (hopefully) accomplish this?  On the computer, watching TV?  Are we living what we are enforcing.  Luckily I am  around people that DO live what they preach.  But I see so many parents out there that don’t.  And it bothers me.

Children generally want to be like their parents.  They want to do everything we do…they mirror what we do.  We need to set an example for them.  I am on a journey to get back in shape and I am more aware of this subject than I probably would be if I WASN’T out of shape.  Or maybe the subject is just more sensitive to me.

I see so many people leading unhealthy lifestyles.  They may tell you, “Oh, I do eat healthy”  But you can usually tell if they truly are or not.  Actions speak louder than words.  I see some people taking pride in eating unhealthy foods on a regular basis and think it’s fun to do so.  How can this be, especially when you have kids relying on you to be healthy yourself?  I find the creativity of making healthy food, taking pride in feeding your body and working your body’s muscles fun and rewarding, not the bad stuff.  Our children’s minds are like sponges at young ages…even at older ages too.  They see what their parents do and usually end up following suit.  I don’t want that for my child.  I want her to appreciate the TREATS and enjoy being healthy.

When I don’t workout by 3pm, my daughter will bring a DVD to me and say “work-ou”.  She already sees the regular working out.  Which I am happy with.  She will understand to be healthy, keep moving and most importantly eat healthy.  Right now she is being a bit picky, but we are trying out best to give her NO processed foods and eat lots of fruits and veggies.  When mommy makes smoothies she is ALL over them, and loves them!

We need to be healthy as parents.  Our children rely on us.  So, we need to have our bodies work right.  We need to be able to meet the demands of what our children out on us…we can’t be tired due to lack of nutrition, we can’t be out of breath when they want us to run and play with them.

Along with our children WE need to also be healthy.

From operationmommiehood.wordpress.com