Happy and Healthy

Happy and Healthy
One of the happiest days of my life! I worked hard to look like that!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

So Glad!


Me jumping the broom!

Today is an awesome day to start moving! I'm ready to move and I'm excited that I did two miles today! This is just a quick note to get back in action. I hope you're moving too!

All the best,
Barbie

Monday, March 21, 2011

Let's Move!

Hello All,
Back again with a bit about some new things I'm looking into. If you're not aware, Michelle Obama (Madame First Lady!) has launched an initiative that's been going on for a year now to help target and eradicated obesity in America's children. Now, I am perfectly at fault for my current state of obesity (according to the BMI chart), but what I appreciate about my parents is that they did insist on keeping us active. With busy schedules, more hours at work, less time to cook, more media influenced diets (ahem cartoon advertisers!) it's harder for children to get quality nutrition and exercise. Honestly, I know what keeps our community from being healthy: food deserts and lack of safe places to play. Children, no matter their socioeconomic background will play. As a matter of fact, if you have less money, odds are you're more inclined to CREATE activities to do and keep active with. That is, unless, you get hooked to TV before age 3. I digress though. Mrs. Obama's initiative, Let's Move (www.letsmove.org) is an awesome way to join the fight.  If you have children, I strongly encourage you to visit the website and find out some ideas on how to move!

Here are a few starters:
1. TURN OFF THE TV! The Association of Pediatrics recommends children watch no more than 2 hrs of age appropriate programming a day (0 hrs if under 2). It's quite okay for kids to be bored. They are their most creative when they have to make something up!

2.  Find a program to enroll your child in (local Soccer team, ballet, running club, etc).

3. Cook. Period. Cook food. I don't know first hand how hard it is to work full time and cook, but I will soon. Honestly, the best thing I can do for my daughter is cook. I know I'm addicted to some fast foods and have not erased them completely. But I cannot pass that down to her. I shutter to think about what that food will do to her little system.

4. Be an example. Later for the do as I say, and not as I do business. That's the worst adage parents can say to their kids. Regardless of what you say, children will do as they see. They will eat what they see you eat, they will say what they hear you say, and they will move as much as they see you move. So bust the move!

Ciao!
Barbara