| Have you ever tried to take steps toward improving | | | | eroded our quality of life in the process. The portion |
| your nutrition and increasing your activity level only to | | | | sizes at every restaurant have dramatically increased |
| fall back into your old patterns? There are many | | | | along with the calorie count. As the demand for |
| different factors that can contribute to situations like | | | | quantity increases, food is produced at a faster rate |
| this and as a fitness and nutritional consultant, I have | | | | and less healthy production methods are being utilized. |
| seen them all. While there are several different ways | | | | Growth hormones, meat factory farms and chemicals |
| to stay more consistent with your efforts, one of the | | | | are negatively impacting the future of nutrition. |
| more powerful and impact filled options is to invite your | | | | Another vice is the ever-growing age of technology. |
| loved ones to be healthy and active with you. | | | | Video games and TV often replace outdoor activities |
| A common complaint among clients in their quest for a | | | | or real athletics. Daily, younger generations spend more |
| healthier lifestyle is a lack of outside support. I've often | | | | time at the computer than simply walking. Overcoming |
| heard it said, "If only I had you around all the time, my | | | | these temptations will require effort, but in the long run, |
| willpower would be stronger in both making healthy | | | | it should build a much stronger family. There are many |
| decisions in nutrition and with staying consistent with | | | | quick and easy alternatives that can be incorporated |
| my physical activities." A statement like this usually | | | | into the weekly routine. Time is precious, so it can be |
| refers to a person's source of motivation and the | | | | helpful to limit time spent with distractions like TV or |
| availability of it. Once you leave the gym and your | | | | computers. This one notion may open up many other |
| trainer, you may be going home to a life without similar | | | | possibilities. |
| encouragement. Receiving additional support in your | | | | As simple as it sounds, just going for a walk together |
| home environment is necessary to help you avoid a | | | | can do more than you might expect. Walking a mile in |
| dangerous reality occurring in American | | | | fifteen minutes for a 150-pound person can burn close |
| households-inactivity. | | | | to 92 calories, which is almost equivocal to the same |
| Our culture is fostering a growing trend toward family | | | | person running one mile in six minutes. This |
| inactivity and this shift is contributing to the dramatic | | | | demonstrates that the activity is not about the intensity |
| increase of obesity within our country. Coupling an | | | | level as much as it is about engaging in the activity |
| individual's need for support to maintain a healthy | | | | itself. Other options are doing yard work, going to the |
| lifestyle and the family's need to be active, provides a | | | | local pool, playing sports together at the park, hiking |
| powerful platform for involving the entire family in | | | | and bike riding together. |
| changes leading to a healthier lifestyle. | | | | Not all modifications come in the form of activity. |
| Attempting a personal overhaul of your lifestyle is not | | | | Nutrition within a family can suffer greatly when time is |
| an easy task. Taking on an entire group of people with | | | | of the essence. According to AACAP, research |
| habits that perpetuate each other's unhealthy choices | | | | indicates that children have the tendency to eat more |
| may require a SWAT team. The key to success | | | | nutritiously in the presence of parents than when left to |
| begins with recognizing the need for changes as an | | | | fend for themselves. Simply finding one or two nights a |
| individual and as a family. There are many current | | | | week to eat together could make a significant impact |
| family studies showing the need for families to make | | | | in the dietary styles of the entire family. |
| changes that will positively affect their health. | | | | Avoid fast food and attempt to use fresh produce in |
| The American Academy of Child and Adolescent | | | | meals. If at all possible, opt for homemade lunches for |
| Psychiatry (AACAP), has researched several factors | | | | your kids instead of prepackaged meals. Not all |
| contributing to childhood obesity and other significant | | | | children become excited over the thought of fruits and |
| health problems. According to AACAP, childhood | | | | veggies, so be adventurous as a family and try new |
| obesity is a national epidemic, currently affecting about | | | | and different varieties together. Any journey taken |
| nine million children. This number has tripled in the last | | | | alone seems longer and more difficult than one |
| thirty years. On their website, they stress the high risk | | | | accompanied by those we love. |
| of obese children becoming overweight adults unless | | | | Creating an environment at home that promotes |
| their patterns in choices are redirected to include more | | | | healthy choices will take time, but the end result |
| physical activity and proper nutrition. | | | | reaches further than just nutrition and fitness. One |
| Children tend to model their behavior after the adults in | | | | client at Fitness Together, in Brookfield, shared her own |
| their lives. The importance of adults adjusting their | | | | family's progress. Dr. Laurie Lowenbraun said, "I am |
| attitudes to encompass wiser decisions reaches into | | | | approaching my late thirties, work full time and have a |
| two key areas. The first impact is directly personal. No | | | | two and a four-year- old. I've never enjoyed exercise |
| matter what age you are, or where your level of | | | | and despite being in a health profession, have dieted |
| fitness lies, improving your nutrition and activity level will | | | | for years rather than adopting lifestyle changes |
| always have a positive influence on your health. It | | | | conducive to long term health and fitness. My husband |
| doesn't matter at what stage of life you are, a doctor's | | | | urged me to try Fitness Together. Six months later, |
| first recommendation for most health concerns is | | | | modifications to my lifestyle have infiltrated the rest of |
| often to improve their fitness and nutrition. This | | | | my family in a positive, yet non-intrusive way. We |
| approach redirects the patient's thinking from problem | | | | enjoy high-energy activities together and I'm no longer |
| solving to preventive action. Instead of waiting until | | | | just an observer. My children opt for healthy snacks |
| there is a problem, imagine making aggressive | | | | rather than chocolate, as they've watched my |
| attempts to ensure fewer health complications down | | | | husband and I select better choices. I have truly shed |
| the road. This leads into the second area of | | | | 'mother guilt' when I take time out for fitness-my |
| importance. As adults realize and embrace such | | | | healthy changes have set the stage for my family's |
| changes, their children are taught to model the same | | | | enhanced health and well-being." |
| behavioral patterns. A family can make great strides | | | | Just like Dr. Lowenbraun, the impact of investing in |
| together to ensure a healthy future through the | | | | lifestyle changes as a family increases the |
| influence of good adult leadership. | | | | accountability that parents have. It allows an easier |
| Teaching your children how to choose wisely and | | | | transition for their own smart choices rather than trying |
| safeguard their health becomes more than a family | | | | to balance them with the adverse attitudes of the rest |
| project. It becomes a gift for their future-a gift that will | | | | of the family. Eventually, the home front evolves into a |
| literally continue giving for generations. There are many | | | | safety net of support rather than a minefield of |
| obstacles that will hinder this process. America's | | | | distraction, allowing for good new habits to form and |
| mainstream culture has adopted quick fixes and | | | | flourish. |