Make it a family affair

There has been an alarming rise in childhood obesity over the past 20 years, especially in the last decade. Up 45% in some age catagories. The term "Adult onset Diabetes" is now called "Type II Diabetes" due to the amount of youth having it. There are more cases of fatty liver syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions, in our children than have ever been seen before. Overweight, underactive kids are much more likely to continue to be overweight as adults. (80% more likely!)

What can we do about it? Govenor Huntsman had a wonderful plan to combat the obesity epedemic, starting in May 2006, they came out with: "The Blueprint to Promote Heatlhy weight for children, Youth and Adults". Check it out at: http://health.utah.gov/obesity. They established prestigous boards of experts and they came up with a blueprint that would attack the problem from different areas. The home, the workplace, the schools, and the community, Health care, and government. They had impressive studies to start with, and reported yearly on the progress of their action plan. They hoped to reduce the rate of obesity in adults and children by a few percent each year. As I checked on the current stats, it is sad and alarming at the very small progress, and some with no progress, even some with higher rates of obesity. They really did have a great program and plan that was very thorough. So why isn't it helping?????

First of all, everyone I talk to about this, hasn't even heard of the govenors Blueprint to fight obesity. And second, we are so inundated with unhealthy food choices, and more and more inactivity among our kids, that it is going to take A LOT of educating people to get them to see the big picture and what our current way of life and eating is doing to us and our children. For great ideas on parents advocating for school wellness, check out : http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/.
There is a lot of improvement that needs to be done in our school lunch menus, and nutrition education as well.

The education has to start at home, with the adults. Kids will generally eat whatever is put in front of them. More importantly, it's the parents buying the chips, sodas, candy etc. and bringing it home. (I am as guilty as anyone, but slowly improving what's in our house). Our kids LOVE sweet treats, and sugary fatty processed snacks. And we love making our kids HAPPY don"t we! I know I do. But if parents were really educated on what these foods are doing to our kids bodies, and what eating patterns we are helping them establish, and especially the danger we are putting them in for serious diseases later in life, or sooner.....we would think twice about what we feed our kids. But it's a challenge for all of us, because it is all around us....constantly. It takes conscious effort to remember to choose healthy food and snacks, and even more effort to find them. Just try going into a convenience store and see how many "healthy" foods or snacks you can find!

So lets start the movement in our own homes to eat healthier and be the example to our kids, and change the trend that is causing serious health problems for everyone. Every meal should include 3 components: a protein, grain and fruit or vegetable. This takes some effort on our parts as parents. But it will be so worth it in the long run. Think past today, and let's help our kids learn good habits of health and lead by our examples.

Food Diary:
big loaded green salad (I was sooo craving a salad for breakfast.. weird huh, eating healthy does strange things to me, but good ones:)
cinnamon Crunch bar (Meal replacement: MR)
Mushroom Spaghetti over "Miracle noodles" 0 carbs, made from plant enzymes.
(would have been great over steamed zuchinni or baked spaghetti squash too.)
Didn't even touch the homemade breadsticks!!! Take that ...you little beasties! I am in control now!!
green salad (yes again.. I think I'm turning part rabbbit)
blueberry antioxidant shake (milkshake style) sooo good, even though Whit ate half of it!
55 oz of water (should have had more:(
omega 3 supplement

Wasn't even 1 bit hungry today... amazing! I really should have had my other 3 MR's today. Will do better tomorrow!
Energy level: 9 -- so awesome
Slept great last night.


***Shout out to: client, Tom.....who has lost almost 100 pounds since Jan! Way to go! Him and his wife are going to climb some famous mountain in Peru with their son in Dec. That is so amazing!

***Did you know..... that if you give your kids something healthy to eat as a snack...they will probably eat it! :) WOW, now I've given you the power!!! It's up to you!!!