working out and examples to children

[WD]

My grandchildren like to do a lot of my workouts. My grandson made me stop and think about what we tell our children. Him and my granddaughter wanted to do Turbo Jam Fat Blaster. I had never spent much time on the stuff after the workout. He told me that he needed to workout so his pants would not be tight. Now I had to explain to him that he would get bigger and that that was alright. It is if you are a grown up and your pants stay tight you may need to workout. Poor baby was worried terribly about getting bigger. Now this is just not right. I really want them to be active but not feel like they are overweight.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us

 

[scm]

Hi Diane Sue! I know you are an excellent example for showing how important fitness is. I'm not sure exactly what made him stop and think about his size, as I was a "fat kid" and never realized it...I think if he is with you and having him follow along with your workouts is wonderful!! I'm sure you'll have good words to share, as I was told "you're too fat, run more!" by my gym teacher in the fifth grade. He ruined me, for a looooong time. Exercise is for *health* reasons. That's what kids should know.
Susan C.M.

 

[melodygirl]

Diane Sue,

You are so right about this. The self-images children develop are carried into teens and adulthood. Also, if the reasoning behind exercise (or ANYTHING) isn't taught to children properly, they will develop their own ideas -maybe correct, may incorrect- from peers, media or other misinformed adults.

I've always offered the explanation to my boys of exercise as a part of life which enables one to be healthy, strong, feel good and do all the fun active things in life. The same with eating. I never go into the weight, looks issues. They are young and I want healthy eating and exercise to naturally be a part of their lives, not a life unto itself or something they have to believe they are a slave to. I believe if it's the way they live as children, there is a very good chance it is the way they'll live as adults.

BTW, Diane Sue, you're an excellent example to your grandchildren.

 

[Ann Marie]

Diane Sue,

You look so amazing, and are an inspiration to all. I always exercise, and my kids ages, 6, and almost 4 always stretch with me, and have learned from an early age, that exercise for the body is what reading is for the mind!

Ann Marie

 

[WD]

Thanks,
I will say that my grandson is 6 this month. My daughter just went through an ordeal with him about not changing his clothes and he said the other clothes were too tight. She told him all he had to do is say something and she would get him some more. I guess whatever discussion he got off of the end of the dvd made him think he could be getting fat. Another issue is his mother is trying to lose weight. I just want them to be active and have fun. I hope I got through to him that it is normal for him to be growing.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us