1) Article by Family Fitness Expert Doug Jackson
1) I've decided to use the first part of my newsletter to publish an article written by my friend and colleague Doug Jackson. Doug is using his talent and creativity to get families of all types into their best shape. And they're having fun and improving their relationships with eachother in the process.
Unfortunately, childhood and adolescent obesity is a major problem with consequences that many times continue into adulthood.
Doug and his partner, Jonathan Ross have decided to do their part in helping this problem. They've developed family Fit Plan. Check out the article and let me know what you think!
Six Keys to Nurturing ACTIVE Kids
By Doug Jackson, M.Ed., CSCS
When we get right down to it, we know kids both need to be active and eat moderate portions of nutrition-packed foods to achieve and maintain optimal health. In a society that highly encourages kids to become inactive, it's time to get back to the basics. The following acronym conveys six key points that kids should learn to help them get and stay fit in the highly commercialized, technology-driven 21st century.
Attitude
Commitment
Total-body conditioning
Increasing challenge
Variety
Enjoyment
Attitude- Proper attitude is the first step to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Kids who are confident in their physical abilities will stay active, while kids who aren't confident will try to avoid activity. Obtaining a few positive physical experiences related to exercise, achievement of goals, and visualization (imagining oneself both enjoying the activity and accomplishing a successful outcome) can make all the difference in the choices that a child makes for the rest of their lives.
Commitment- With today's glut of distractions and popular activities fostering a sedentary lifestyle, kids really need to make a commitment to staying active. In doing this, it's important for them to equally understand both the how and the why to make the proper cognitive connection of lifestyle and health. Instead of side-stepping this issue, parents should discuss not only the benefits of physical activity, but also the unfortunate reality of what happens if one decides to make poor lifestyle choices.
Total- body conditioning- Left to their own devices, kids may not develop an ideal approach to exercise. They may over-exercise. They may under-exercise. They may over-emphasize one component of fitness, while leaving other important components out altogether. All children should incorporate some form of flexibility training, cardiovascular exercise, and resistance training in their programs on a regular basis. Old-fashioned callisthenic movements and bodyweight exercises may be some of the most effective and fun exercises a child could do.
Increasing Challenge- Within reason, it's important for kids to recognize that they need to continuously increase the challenge-level of their exercise regime. If a child becomes complacent and stops trying to challenge them self during activity, those fun-to-see improvements in both skill and physical fitness will grind to a halt. Proper goal-setting and a healthy competition with friends can stimulate the desire to continue doing what's required to improve.
Variety- Particularly with children, variety is key to assuring a long-term fitness strategy. Diverse activity helps children avoid both physical injury and mental burnout. Avoiding a one-sport specialization mentality and promoting well-rounded sports acumen and exercise should do the trick.
Enjoyment- Children must enjoy their activity! The best laid, most well-intended programs will not be maintained or benefited from long-term if the child doesn't enjoy it. Assure the sport(s) the child plays is by his or her own choice. If the child tends to dislike any sort of activity, it's important to get them to try as many as possible. If they try several activities, those with a decidedly positive atmosphere should be those the child is willing to participate in.
In short, it's critical that we as caregivers take the time to think through how each of these key factors should apply to our children. Dialogue is also key, so consider discussing these concepts with you child(ren) and make them an active part of the decision making process. Lastly, consider the investment in a personal fitness trainer with a positive track record who also has direct experience in working with children. Working with the right coach on implementing these strategies can go a long way toward ensuring the child's success and, ultimately, longevity.
Doug Jackson, M.Ed., CSCS
Owner, Personal Fitness Advantage, LLC.
doug@personalfitnessadvantage.com
(phone) 954-663-9438
(fax) 954-212-2487
Sign up for my newest fitness success strategies at PersonalFitnessAdvantage.com.
Want to get the family in shape? Go to FamilyFitPlan.com.
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2) Holiday Eating Tip
Since the holidays are basically here, it would be a great idea to plan ahead. Plan to indulge at certain parties and have one slice of coconut custard pie. There's nothing wrong or ineffective about that. It's when there's no plan that it becomes a problem. On average, 50 % of annual weight gain is done between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This doesn't have to happen. And yes, you can still enjoy yourself just as much. So, have fun spending time with the people you love. That should be more of a priority anyway. Just to recap, plan on what you want to eat during the holiday season that you wouldn't normally eat and stick to it.
I hope you found this information to be helpful.
Also, please let me know if you know anyone who would like to receive this newsletter. Either have them sign up or send their name and e-mail to me at billy@howtogetlean.com and I can send them an issue as a gift from you.
Until next time, be a Functional Fitness Freak,
- Billy Hofacker
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Hofe-Man Fitness Systems, LLC
Billy Hofacker, Certified Personal Trainer
Specializing in Mens Fitness Programs
Serving Lindenhurst, Long Island, Suffolk County, and New York
Lindenhurst, NY 11757-1672
Phone: 631-225-7831 • Fax 631-225-0693 • E-mail:
billy@howtogetlean.com
