TKW Consulting

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

New Year's Resolutions...

It nearly the end of 2005 and time again to make resolutions that we will try to accomplish in 2006. It seems like two of the most common resolutions made every year are to be fit and/or lose weight and to spend more time with family. If you are like me, you can relate to making (and breaking) these resolutions each year.

ChildCareAware reminds us that:

January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month. In an effort to keep both resolutions, spend your family time as health and fitness time. Former U.S. Surgeon General and founder of Shape Up America!, Dr. C. Everett Koop stated in the introduction to 99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun , in regard to a survey the organization had conducted, "…I encourage you to choose activities you can do together and support and reward each other's efforts to be more active at home, at school, at work, and in your communities... The pleasure of your company is the best reward your child can receive and the best gift you can give."

Here are some suggestions from the Family Education Network to help you keep your exercise program fun, consistent, and safe:

Warm up! Take a few minutes to stretch before any activity.
Keep safety in mind. Wear appropriate headgear or pads when cycling or skating. (Moms and dads, this also means you.)
Let a different family member pick their favorite activity for the whole group to do together each week.
Buy a notebook and use it as a fitness diary. Record how long or far each family member walked, ran, or cycled each day.
Stick to a schedule. Make regular physical activity a part of your family's daily routine.

Teaching your children about healthy eating habits can be a fun family activity as well:

Take your children to the grocery store to help with the shopping. For younger children who may get impatient, make shopping a scavenger hunt.
Allow your children to help you prepare meals or snacks. The older the child, the more responsibility they may be able to handle in the kitchen.
Let family members share in menu planning for the week. Each family member can participate by suggesting their favorite meal and side dish.
Help your children fix healthy, creative after school or evening snacks.
Take trips to a farmer's market together.
Participate in a family cooking class.

Here are a few resources on family fitness and healthy eating habits:
Shape Up America!
The Family Education Network
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Dole 5 A Day
The Child and Adult Care Food Program
The Food & Nutrition Information Center
The Child Care Nutrition Resource System