 | Lisa Vermillion is President and co-owner of Get Fit Bee Fit and Thin and Healthy Weight Management. Lisa opened Get Fit- 4 years ago in Valley Center, after receiving certifications thorough the American Council on Exercise as a Weight and Lifestyle Management Consultant and Certified Personal Trainer. In January, she Grand Opened Thin and Healthy Weight Management in the same location. Lisa not only provides weight loss programs for individuals but she also implements business wellness programs for small businesses and large corporations. Additionally, Lisa is a Certified Life Coach providing guidance for individuals in the areas of career, relationship and personal development. She is available for speaking engagements in the areas of Physical Fitness, Weight Management, or any Life Coaching area (goal setting, positive attitude, sales, etc). Lisa can be reached for questions or speaking engagements by phone (316) 755-1115 or email at mvmillion@yahoo.com |
Diet & Nutrition
2008-04-01 11:37:00
What’s a good healthy weight?
Question: I am worried about my 8 year old. She is 4’8 and weighs 150 lbs. I don’t want to give her a complex by pointing out her body, on the other hand I know this is not healthy. What should I do?
Answer: 38% of the children in our country are overweight. The statistics are frightening. Research from the Boston Children’s Hospital says that children are becoming obese, not overweight, but obese by ages 2-4. They are developing diabetes by age 12-14. If the current trend continues they will be developing catastrophic illness by age 30; liver disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Another statistic says that this is the first generation of kids that are not going to outlive their parents. If that is not enough, this problem has reached epidemic proportions. That term may seem trite, but consider the fact that in the past epidemics have wiped out parts of entire generations and changed the course of history. This, in fact, is where we are headed unless we gain control over this situation. Fortunately, the great news is, that there are simple things we can do to reverse this trend. Just like adults, the right program is one that can be sustained throughout life. It is vital that we teach our children healthy habits they can continue. There are 3 keys to teach children permanent healthy habits; making good food choices, getting exercise, and learning skills to overcome obstacles.
Teaching kids better food choices is the first key. With kids it’s also a matter of teaching us, the adults, the grocery shoppers, how to make better choices. Finding creative ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies and offering them for snacks verses chips, cookies etc. Adults must make the decision to purchase the healthier choices and leave the unhealthier choices at the store in order to affect children’s eating behaviors. Encouraging snacks like whole grain crackers and peanut butter, apples with animal crackers, yogurt, 100 % Fruit Juice pops, etc are tasty healthy alternatives. Allowing kids to choose balanced meals from the food guide pyramid also helps kids learn skills and feel in control.
The second key is movement. Help kids find activity they enjoy even if it’s as simple as taking a walk with your child. You may even find you enjoy this uninterrupted time to have open and meaningful communication with your child. Not only does physical activity help children maintain a healthy weight, it also improves self-esteem, confidence, and feelings of well-being, helps build and maintain bones, muscles, and joints, and lowers risk of heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
The third key is what we at Thin and Healthy’s Total Solution, call Life Success. Life Success is about learning to work through obstacles like, being bored, upset, or frustrated, to help kids reach their goals. Helping kids learn WHY they make certain choices about food or movement will help them be at a healthy weight for the rest of their lives. Teaching kids about balance between friends, parents and other activities, setting goals, learning how to express emotions, communicating, and getting along with others all play a part in enabling kids to build life-long healthy habits.
These three keys, supporting kids by educating them and providing them with opportunities to make healthy choices, getting active with kids, and helping them create life changing, positive, life habits will enable your child to reach and maintain a healthy weight without intimidating him or her. At Thin and Healthy, we are happy to help educate you and your child. Please call us at 755-1115 for more information.
