Aug
28
September in National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. It’s a great time to help kids be more active by starting them in sports. But what if they don’t like organized sports or are hooked on video games? Not all kids are naturally drawn to activity. One popular tool is Wii? Studies are beginning to show that Wii is a great way to get kids off of the couch and doing some activity. Socialization is important too, so look for games that can be played with other children.
Another idea is joining a play group. Young children will not generally need to be told to play if they are put in an environment where they can interact with other kids. If your child is overweight, encouraging them to play with other children who are more active has been shown to be beneficial. Children in elementary school usually ride the bus to school, but if you live in an area with sidewalks, why not start a walking school bus for all of the neighbor kids?
If your child likes technology, there are many free apps for i phone, Droid or PC that can be used to help them live healthier. Look for nutrition and exercise apps as well as free websites. One example is mypyramid.gov, where the entire family can track diet and exercise to help form good habits. These are wonderful tools to eliminate mindless eating and keep parents and kids accountable for food and exercise.
For older children, hiring a trainer is one option. Kids often respond positively to a trainer, especially one who is used to dealing with kids. Teens will benefit from the guidance of a good trainer and can learn many healthy habits that they can carry throughout their lives. Small group sessions for older kids and teens are a good choice too and may be cheaper. A good trainer will help to educate the entire family on healthy eating and exercise habits that will reinforce what the young person is doing.
Whatever you decide to do, just encouraging more play time is a good start. Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic and parents can use the same tech tools that make our children sedentary, to help them to be more active and eat healthier. For more ideas on what you can do in your community, school or household, contact us at Fitwise. We are happy to offer suggestions.
Posted in Fitness for kids
Aug
10
Has anyone ever asked you “have you heard about that new workout video?” Have they said “hey, I’m trying this new workout and it’s great…I’m really sore and tired but I am losing weight”. I am frequently asked for my opinion about various programs such as (insert name of program here). My response is always the same: “For whom?”
Some of these programs result in weight loss because of dangerous overtraining concepts. High speed movements and “muscle confusion” are considered THE way to burn calories and get results with some routines. “Results” is certainly what you will get but are they the results you want? Other fitness crazes claim to get results through difficult movements that many cannot perform even at the lowest level. Muscles will respond to these insane tactics, but there is also a high risk of injury, burnout, and overtraining (more on the physical signs of overtraining later).
The key to fitness success can be summed up in one word: “personalized”. There is no program, no DVD workout routine, no T.V. fitness expert who knows YOU. These programs at best can help you burn a few calories in the short term and at worst, can land you in serious physical trouble. A planned, deliberate and individualized progression of exercise is the smart way to be fit. The next time you hear someone talking about the newest fitness craze, you might want to ask them “but is it smart?”
Posted in Myths, misconceptions and the latest craze, Uncategorized
Aug
04
Summer is a great time to be outside and an opportunity to become more active. Be careful though! The heat can be very dangerous if you don’t take precautions. First of all, it takes a couple of weeks to adapt to warmer weather, so if you are not used to it, keep the activity intensity low for a while.
The second thing to keep in mind while working out in the heat is hydration. It is extremely important to make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids so that you can continue to sweat. Sweat is the body’s most efficient way of cooling and without adequate fluids, the sweating stops. We also sweat earlier and maintain a cooler core if we are accustomed to the heat and are well hydrated.
If you are working out in the heat for more than an hour, if it is very hot and humid, or if your exercise is relatively intense, plain water may not be enough. A sports drink is recommended in these situations in order to provide lost glucose, sodium and other electrolytes. Plain water is fine for shorter duration and less intense exercise.
The older we are the more careful we need to be in the heat as well. Older adults do not cool as quickly and do not sense the severity of dehydration as well as when they were young. Very young children are also more at risk in the heat. Certain diseases such as Diabetes can interfere with our ability to sense heat and cool our bodies. This is true of some medications too.
The bottom line is: be careful! If the temperature and humidity are both high, it is safer to bring your workout indoors. Train safe!
Posted in Outdoor fitness