Do Your Kids Exercise?

A recent study from the University of Washington showed that more and more 2-year olds are regularly watching television. This sets the stage for a sedentary life with an increased risk for obesity and heart disease.

Now that last statement wasn't from the study - that was my own prediction.

But really, the statistics don't lie - a study done at Johns Hopkins concluded that a child's weight increases with the number of hours they spend in front of the television each day.

Are you cringing yet? What parent hasn't popped in a DVD to occupy the kids for a few hours?

And what about your child's diet? How often do you find yourself in the drive thru line ordering another cheeseburger and fries?

Childhood obesity is now described as an epidemic. It puts your child's health at risk, and makes them more susceptible to problems involving their cardiovascular systems, endocrine systems, and even their mental health. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and low self-esteem are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems looming over the heads of overweight children.

I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know. It doesn't take a study done at Johns Hopkins to discover that kids today are putting on weight in ways that we never did - you just have to open your eyes to notice.

The 'why' is simple. It goes back to the basic equation for weight gain: energy in versus energy out. Kids eat too much and do too little.

But I have to ask... are you setting a good example by your eating habits? This may be a painful question to want to answer - but the truth sometimes hurts (and is good for us).

Maybe you've noticed that your child has begun to put on a little extra weight - what do you do about it? No matter what age your child is - weight is a sensitive issue.

What do your kids eat?

Think about your child's diet. Do they eat three balanced meals a day? Do they eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day? Are they limited in their servings of fried, processed, and sugary foods?

Maybe you aren't sure what your kids are eating. Do some investigation by observing and talking to them about what they eat.

Identify the foods your kids are eating that are rich in calories but lacking in nutritional value. Examples: candy, fast food, chips, cookies, soda pop, and pizza. Replace these foods with fresh nutrient dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy.

How much activity do your kids get?

Computers, video games, and satellite T.V. are our children's latest and greatest toys. Who has time to play outside when you are about to beat the hardest level, or your favorite show is about to start? Our kids participate in less physical activity and are more sedentary than any generation before.

Do you know how much physical activity your kids get each day? Some parents may think that kids are getting an hour of P.E. each day, only to find out that the school has dropped its P.E. classes.

A great way to encourage activity is to limit the time your children spend on sedentary activities, such as T.V and video games. Sign your kids up on a local sports team so that they can run and be active with other kids. Take the whole family to the park on a weekend instead of gathering in front of the T.V.

Monkey see monkey do

This issue really boils down to one factor: Parental Example. Your kids watch what you do even when you wish they wouldn't, and this is certainly true when it comes to diet and exercise.

Do you model good eating habits, or do your kids see you indulge? Do you exercise regularly, or do your kids see you on the couch in front of the television all weekend?

As a parent, it is your unique responsibility to teach your children the habits that lead to good health. Since you know that obese children have a greater chance of remaining obese into adulthood, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of serious health problems, this isn't a responsibility that you take lightly.

If your eating habits and activity level have slipped it may be time for you to turn things around. It's never too late to set a positive example for your kids - the key is to act now.

Contact me today to get started on a program that will transform your body and renew your lifestyle. There's nothing better for motivation than dropping a few sizes!

A Coincidence?????

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.?


A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.?


Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.?


A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.?


Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.?


Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.?


Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).?


Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.?


Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.?


Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.?

"The news isn't that?fruits?and?vegetables?are good for you, it's that they are?so?good for you,?they can save your life."

The 12 minutes Corporate Warrior Workout

Physical exercise is the most important beneficial factor in maintaining the balanced dose of positive mental and physical energy that allows a corporate person to face any challenges while travelling. Here are some tips to help you stay energized throughout your days:

Be realistic

You probably won't be able to fit in your normal weekly workouts, and that's okay. Shoot for completing at least 50% of your normal regimen.

Plan ahead

Before leaving town, find out what type of workout facilities your accommodations will have or if there is a nearby park or jogging track (weather permitting, of course).

Scope out local gyms

If you are staying somewhere that doesn't provide a workout area, then inquire at nearby fitness centers for their rates. Often they offer day passes for minimal fees.

Pack a pair of light dumbbells or Tubing in your suitcase

The dumbbells or Tubing take up very little space, yet can provide you with an entire upper and lower body workout routine.

Be creative

Find unique, fun ways to exercise instead of doing the same routine you do when you are at home. Try biking, hiking, water-skiing, beach volleyball, etc. Effective workouts aren't limited to the standard walking, jogging and fitness machines.

Try out your travel routine at least once at home

A new workout that you've never done before will require more time and preparation. You can either hire a personal trainer to show you the routine once or twice, or buy a video DVD like the Total Body Work that I created and made available at the #1 Spa/Resort in the World, Miraval Life In Balance. Being prepared help you avoid any frustration and the temptation leading to use it as an excuse not to workout.

Prepare your snacks.

If your journey includes a lot of time in the in the plane or in the car, be sure to pack some healthy snacks so you aren't forced to eat at the fast food and convenience shops along the way. The key to success in maintaining a balanced energy level is to eat 5 to 6 small meals spaced every three hours, rather that 1 or 2 big ones.

Fool around in the pool

If lounging poolside is part of your vacation plans, then jump in the pool every 20 minutes for 5-10 minutes of pool walking or running.

Here is a quick, simple 12 minute circuit workout that only requires dumbbells or a resistance band and can be done anywhere. Complete at least one set of 12 to 20 reps of each exercise. Rest minimally between sets. This workout should not take you more than 12 minutes.

Push-up: 20 repetitions

Overhead Shoulder Press: 20 repetitions

Biceps Curls: 20 repetitions

Triceps Dips: 20 repetitions

Bend-Over Rows: 20 repetitions

Front Raises: 20 repetitions

Lunges: 20 repetitions

Calf Heel-raises: 20 repetitions

Hamstring dead lifts: 20 repetitions

Abdominal crunches: 20 repetitions