Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What You Can Do To Help Your Child Lose Weight

f your child is overweight it can be a difficult situation. It’s important to talk with them about losing weight and getting healthy, but how do you go about it? Not all of us know instinctively. There are ways to show your children the path healthy living. Following are some suggestions to help your child get on track to weight loss.

It seems seem simple, but the most powerful thing you can do for your family is to lead be a good example. If your children see you eating healthy they will, too. When you prepare meals make sure they are nutritious, as well as delicious-tasting. Encourage your entire family to eat healthy food and take nutrition seriously. Don’t single out any children. Keep healthy snacks in your cupboards instead of junk food.

Don’t think of food as a way of rewarding yourself and teach your children the same. If you bribe your children with sugary treats for good behavior or chores they will confuse the role food plays in their lives. Emphasize that healthy eating should be a lifestyle not a reward system.

After you get your diet under control, focus on the getting active. Encourage the entire family to move more by going out for organized or intramural sports. Even simple family walks after dinner each night will help them get fit and think of physical activity as a natural part of their day.

Don’t forget to be supportive. It may not seem like it is important, but your child looks to you to boost them up when they are down or unmotivated. Have a conversation with your child about food and set weight loss goals that are realistic. Be sure to plan weight loss goals that are long term. Focus on overall health rather than what the scale shows.

If you make a few small changes you could see big rewards. Your child will keep the weight off for good and embrace a healthy lifestyle. They will look to you as their parent to see what steps to take.

Your child will be more likely to succeed if you help them by cooking healthy meals every day. Purge your home of any junk food and show them how to select healthy alternatives. Find other ways to reward them then with food.

As their parent, it’s your job to teach your child the role eating plays in a healthy lifestyle. Be supportive and help your child get to an appropriate weight through exercise and a balanced diet.

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