This week in the Enduramoms Saturday Spotlight-- Battling Against Childhood Obesity. You'd have to live under a rock to have missed the media focus and talk this week about the battle against childhood obesity. The battle's been going on so long, I think we should start calling it a war. I'll refer to it as CO in the rest of this post, to avoid repetition. e
Even first lady Michelle Obama is fully engaged in the fight to keep our kids healthy with her Let's Move health and fitness initiative. Mrs. Obama states it is not just a campaign, but a "passion" to be a part of efforts to improve the health of America's children. Good for her, but I think it should be a passion for ALL mothers around the world...not just here in the USA. We're not the only country with a negative epidemic hitting our children.
As I look at the photo above, I think about how a single day of dancing and PE related fitness got these kids inspired, I can't help but wonder what type of impression could be made if Enduramoms around the world stepped into more classrooms and community groups to extend their influence. Could you handle adding one speaking engagement to your schedule to inspire kids each year? What about sponsoring a Girls on the Run group at your children's school? Or just dropping in on an existing GOTR group to speak about your accomplishments and healthy living? I bet they'd love your medals and your running shoes too :) Could you spare those 6-10 hours a year? Can you imagine the amazing return on your time investment?
So, you may be wondering.. what does CO have to do with me being being a triathlete, my daily run, weekend triathlons, and being an Enduramom? It's all about your influence baby. While the Toddlers and Tiaras moms of the world are out there handing off pixie sticks and cans of red bull to their little tap dancing "heart"...we are taking our kids with us to the pool, the YMCA, track, park and having them be a part of our healthy lifestyle. Along with that comes bringing along healthy snacks and water to the park/Y/track, etc... and there you go, it starts to become a part of their overall lifestyle. You don't often think about it at the time. Maybe you just toted the kids along because it was a nice day out or you wanted to get them out of the house to burn off some energy, right? But once you're out there, realize that it becomes more. They not only get some quality family time, but everyone gets a good workout, some fresh air, burns a few calories, and the happiness meter goes up- up - up. Regularly including the family in your workout regimen creates multiple opportunities to build character and automatically provides a platform for life lessons to be passed on. Are we perfect? Probably not, everyone could stand to do things better when it comes to launching a healthy lifestyle for not just our own, but our children's well being. Let's think a little more about influence...zoom your thinking in on the topic. Have you really stopped to think about how you influence the kids, and their friends, with your lifestyle? You exude power, you're probably glowing. Even when you don't have an "agenda" set for a particular sport outing (yea, I'm talking to you my fellow type A's...you know you plan everything to a T)? Yep, those little eyes are watching you always, storing mental images by the second of practically every move you make. The impressions go both ways. Your example shows them just what you're capable of and what determination can do...ask Heather @ RunFasterMommy. On the flip side, they feed you right back by often stating their impressions... whether you want to hear it or not. Usually it inspires you, sometimes it amuses ("mommy why are you breathing so hard? Do you need to sit down?"). When you're modeling positive health through your fitness routines and even just casual fitness like a short walk make sure the kids get in on the workout. This serves to give them more opportunities to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the long haul. Good nutrition just goes without saying and there are endless resources available to help sculpt a proper diet for all.
*I bet the influencer will be the recipient of lots of hugs...
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| Michelle Obama and Biggest Loser's, Bob Harper amp it up with Iowa school children. |
This week in the Enduramoms Saturday Spotlight-- Battling Against Childhood Obesity. You'd have to live under a rock to have missed the media focus and talk this week about the battle against childhood obesity. The battle's been going on so long, I think we should start calling it a war. I'll refer to it as CO in the rest of this post, to avoid repetition. e
Even first lady Michelle Obama is fully engaged in the fight to keep our kids healthy with her Let's Move health and fitness initiative. Mrs. Obama states it is not just a campaign, but a "passion" to be a part of efforts to improve the health of America's children. Good for her, but I think it should be a passion for ALL mothers around the world...not just here in the USA. We're not the only country with a negative epidemic hitting our children.
As I look at the photo above, I think about how a single day of dancing and PE related fitness got these kids inspired, I can't help but wonder what type of impression could be made if Enduramoms around the world stepped into more classrooms and community groups to extend their influence. Could you handle adding one speaking engagement to your schedule to inspire kids each year? What about sponsoring a Girls on the Run group at your children's school? Or just dropping in on an existing GOTR group to speak about your accomplishments and healthy living? I bet they'd love your medals and your running shoes too :) Could you spare those 6-10 hours a year? Can you imagine the amazing return on your time investment?
So, you may be wondering.. what does CO have to do with me being being a triathlete, my daily run, weekend triathlons, and being an Enduramom? It's all about your influence baby. While the Toddlers and Tiaras moms of the world are out there handing off pixie sticks and cans of red bull to their little tap dancing "heart"...we are taking our kids with us to the pool, the YMCA, track, park and having them be a part of our healthy lifestyle. Along with that comes bringing along healthy snacks and water to the park/Y/track, etc... and there you go, it starts to become a part of their overall lifestyle. You don't often think about it at the time. Maybe you just toted the kids along because it was a nice day out or you wanted to get them out of the house to burn off some energy, right? But once you're out there, realize that it becomes more. They not only get some quality family time, but everyone gets a good workout, some fresh air, burns a few calories, and the happiness meter goes up- up - up. Regularly including the family in your workout regimen creates multiple opportunities to build character and automatically provides a platform for life lessons to be passed on. Are we perfect? Probably not, everyone could stand to do things better when it comes to launching a healthy lifestyle for not just our own, but our children's well being. Let's think a little more about influence...zoom your thinking in on the topic. Have you really stopped to think about how you influence the kids, and their friends, with your lifestyle? You exude power, you're probably glowing. Even when you don't have an "agenda" set for a particular sport outing (yea, I'm talking to you my fellow type A's...you know you plan everything to a T)? Yep, those little eyes are watching you always, storing mental images by the second of practically every move you make. The impressions go both ways. Your example shows them just what you're capable of and what determination can do...ask Heather @ RunFasterMommy. On the flip side, they feed you right back by often stating their impressions... whether you want to hear it or not. Usually it inspires you, sometimes it amuses ("mommy why are you breathing so hard? Do you need to sit down?"). When you're modeling positive health through your fitness routines and even just casual fitness like a short walk make sure the kids get in on the workout. This serves to give them more opportunities to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the long haul. Good nutrition just goes without saying and there are endless resources available to help sculpt a proper diet for all.
Consider expanding your Enduramoms Circle of Influence
*I bet the influencer will be the recipient of lots of hugs...
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