| Childhood obesity does not need to become an | | | | If your child is interested in after school sports, get |
| epidemic. We as parents are ultimately responsible for | | | | outside and help them practice. By becoming more |
| their health, and so are helping kids lose weight. It is too | | | | active and participating in family activities you will help |
| easy to fall into bad eating habits. With busy schedules | | | | your kids lose weight and get into better shape |
| at work and taking care of household chores, picking | | | | yourself. |
| up the phone and ordering a pizza becomes one bad | | | | Have a family biking day. Pack a healthy lunch and hit |
| habit. | | | | the bike trails, or drive to a favorite hiking spot. This will |
| Make Changes Gradual | | | | get everyone involved in living a healthier life. Your kids |
| You do not need to all of a sudden announce that | | | | will be happier for it. You will also be spending some |
| everyone is on a diet, though making it a family effort | | | | good quality time together. |
| will be easier on everyone. Begin by introducing more | | | | Set An Example |
| fruits and vegetables at meal times. Avoid buying the | | | | Get yourself moving and be that positive role model. |
| soda and potato chips. Juice is better, but again, in | | | | Turn off the television and limit video game time. If |
| moderation. Try to get everyone to drink more pure | | | | gaming is a family activity, invest in a Wii-Fit. This will |
| water every day. | | | | give you some gaming time and exercise. Compete |
| Make a homemade veggie pizza. Get the whole family | | | | with each other for high score. Work up a good |
| involved. Use whole wheat flour for the crust and low | | | | sweat! |
| fat cheese. You do not need to give up favorite foods | | | | By making exercise fun, they will not try to avoid it. |
| if you take the time to make them healthy. Keep raw | | | | Just try to get active for at least an hour each day. |
| vegetables on hand for a healthy snack. Altering the | | | | Eat healthy, gradually eliminate the junk and fast foods |
| whole families diet will help your kids lose weight and | | | | and you will help your kids lose weight and they will not |
| they will not feel deprived or punished. | | | | even be aware of it. |
| By eating smaller portions and eating every few hours | | | | The main thing is getting enough fiber, lean meat, fruits |
| they will not feel hungry and have the need to over | | | | and vegetables combined with moderate exercise. |
| indulge at night. It is what you eat that counts. | | | | You can do it, and so can they if you set the example |
| | | | and make it interesting and fun. |
| Encourage Activities | | | | |