Published: Monday, 28 July 2008
Exercise is only half of the equation when it comes to raising healthy kids. It's much easier for some parents to get their kids to run a 5K than it is to eat a balanced meal. Our bodies naturally crave sugar, salt, and fat. Newborn babies often have to be given sweet sugar water to initiate the sucking response that leads to nursing. As kids mature, they're bombarded with advertisements for junk food and tempted by their classmates' Cheetos and Oreos. So how do we encourage healthy eating habits when both biological and environmental factors get in our way? Here are a few tips:
Published: Monday, 21 July 2008
With school out for the summer, you may already be too familiar with the phrase, "Mom, I'm bored." Kids have been testing their parents with that one for generations. But imagine their surprise when you come back at them with a challenging six-station circuit-training course. Bet they didn't see that one coming! Circuit training is a great workout for the entire family. It incorporates cardiovascular and strength training stations with fun activities that kids love.
Published: Monday, 14 July 2008
As parents, one of the best gifts we can pass on to our kids is a genuine love for exercise. Being active daily has so many benefits beyond improved physical health. Life is full of ups and downs. We now know exercise can boost our mood and self esteem, helping us get through hard times. Exercise also helps us maintain a healthy weight as we age. All of these things contribute to a better quality of life.
Published: Tuesday, 8 July 2008
We all get into workout ruts. You know the feeling. Your favorite aerobics class is a little stale after one too many knee lifts. The stationary bike in your bedroom begins to look better as a clothes hanger. Like anything else in life, we have to make an effort to keep things fresh. Interval Training is a fun and easy way to stir up your workout. It's perfectly suited for the outdoors and (almost) the whole family.
Published: Monday, 30 June 2008
I'm on the road again this summer. If you've read my bio on Health News, you know my husband is a touring musician. My son and I are meeting him in different cities around the country. From touring with him in the past, I got the idea to take my own show on the road and created the ElectriKids Muscle Mania Tour in 2001. Through the Tour I lead interactive fitness assemblies in school gymnasiums and auditoriums. During the assembly we talk about why it's important to exercise and engage in a heart-pumping 30-minute workout.
Published: Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Everyone loves a good list. They're quick and easy to read. It's fun to debate the choices on a list and come up with one of your own. In fact, Listmania is everywhere. Surf the web these days, and you'll come across lists created by average Joes, popular bloggers, and professional writers. You'll find someone's opinion of the best family"friendly hotels or the funniest movies from the '80's. There's an official list of America's fattest cities and a not-so-official list of the sappiest love songs of all time.
Published: Monday, 16 June 2008
Kids love the ability to outsmart their parents. When I first learned to count by tens as a child, I couldn't wait to challenge my mom to a contest to see who could count to 100 faster. Of course, she played along and I reached 100 faster by counting 10, 20, 30...etc. I loved the prospect that I knew more than she did. In my kids' fitness classes, I challenge my students to know more muscles than even their parents do. Naturally, the kids jump at the chance to outsmart their folks. My goal behind doing this is simple: Knowledge about your body leads to respecting your body.
Published: Monday, 9 June 2008
The lazy, hazy days of summer are beckoning. As you adjust your thermostat for the rising temperature, remember to adjust your workout program, too. During exercise in normal climates, your body temperature rises about 2 to 3 degrees. Even during high-intensity exercise, there are mechanisms in your body that prevent you from becoming overheated. But adding extreme heat to the mixture will throw the whole equation off. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you and your family exercise in the heat:
Published: Monday, 2 June 2008
There seems to be a million different ways to exercise in health clubs today. Here's a partial class list from my local gym: Spinning, Yoga Flow, Boot Camp, Step Hi/Lo, Strip Tease Aerobics, Pilates, Pump Express, Salsa, and Core Conditioning. Today's gym members get plenty of variety and professional instruction. But what about independence?
Published: Monday, 26 May 2008
As the school year comes to an end, I find myself reminiscing about all the rewarding experiences I've had at elementary schools across the country. Much of my work with kids involves the Muscle Mania Tour, interactive fitness assemblies that I lead in school gymnasiums and auditoriums. During the assembly we talk about why it's important to exercise and engage in a heart-pumping 30-minute workout. The Tour has brought me from West Coast to East Coast, to all kinds of campuses—rural, suburban, and urban. Every one of them has been a treat.
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