Well, there's one really good glimmer of hope: childhood obesity rates have stabilized. They haven't gone up in several years. The statistics for adults aren't as happy, especially in the South, but it is never too late to make a change for your good health. That said, I would love to be a part of getting that figure down for adults and children. How do we do this?
1. Get moving!
a. Okay, you might have figured out by now that I support mandatory phys. ed. in schools. I know I know, you're asking "how can we afford it," with budget cuts, furloughs, pink slips for teachers. My answer is, "how can we NOT afford it?" that whole ounce of prevention rule applies: with a bit of exercise, we'll be saving these future adults, the health care system, and the economy, UNTOLD dollars with a boost in their immune systems; a decrease in metabolic disorders and cancer; a boost in their self esteem and emotional health; stronger, leaner, more flexible bodies which will be better able to prevent workplace injuries and back pain.
b. Get the family involved! Nothing can replace a circle of support. Mom, dad, sister, uncle, grandma -- everyone reaping the wondrous benefits of exercise, and group activities will keep you motivated and provide a great way to bond.
c. Use exercise as your daily time to give time to yourself. Rough day at work or school? Decompress! Go for a walk or hike; toss a frisbee; do some Yoga or Pilates in the living room (consider hiring someone to come to the home and give a group lesson, and practice together on other days); get a couple of mini trampolines; hit the beach or pool.
2. Reframe our view on what makes food "yummy."
a. Sure, a big ice cream sundae is nice to the tongue and is okay as an occasional indulgence. Live a little! But how does the rest of your body feel afterward -- 5 minutes later, 20 minutes, an hour -- Sluggish? Bit queasy? Headache? Difficult to concentrate? Burst of energy with a crash? Compare how do you feel after some fruit. Or a sandwich with lean protein and plenty of vegetables.
b. Start to really know your body by how it feels after the food you consume. Not just what you eat, but when. You may find that fruit feels different in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You might find like me, that cereal, bread, or pastry in the morning makes me crave sugar all day and leads to mindless snacking -- but a small protein meal with no starch leaves me satisfied all day. You are also likely to find that eating a heavy meal and sugary dessert late in the evening (after 8pm) may create belly bloat and then leave you feeling groggy in the morning.
c. Keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. Not to log in calories, but just eat whatever is normal for you, but write down what you are feeling or thinking about, what your day was like, whether your stomach was grumbling. You'll start to notice patterns if you eat emotionally. And yes, there are ways you can change it. When you build awareness, you give yourself a road map and can then choose your path. When you become aware that yes, I have this brownie in my hand because I had a rollercoaster of a day -- you can save it for later, go take a nice jog or put in your favorite music and dance, get the endorphins to make yourself feel good. Then stretch. Aaaah. Well, after that you'll want to shower and change. Now do you still want that brownie? You probably burned enough calories then. Or maybe you're over it.
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