Small Town News

TOPS offers families ideas for everyday good health

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People across the country will celebrate the 14th annual Family Health & Fitness Day USA on Sept. 25. This national health and fitness event's purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity. It is an opportunity to remember the things families can do everyday to create a culture of overall wellness in their homes.

According to TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, family culture influences many of an individual's choices and values including food choices, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and healthful development. Families that promote fitness and physical activity prepare family members to lead healthy lives long after the individuals leave home.

"Parents don't need to be superior athletes to be role models of fitness for their families, but incorporating physical activity into family activities early in family life are key to creating healthy habits for a lifetime, "says Amy Goldwater, M.S., educator, former body-building champion, and physical fitness expert for TOPS. "There are many options for indoor and outdoor activities that parents can offer to children that promote wellness. For younger family members, turning daily chores into adventures, walking to get the mail, pushing a wheelbarrow of fallen twigs and branches, or carrying groceries all encourage activity as a part of daily lives."

Goldwater adds, "As children get older, providing activities with a greater challenge will keep interest levels higher. Hiking in local areas, both urban and natural, provides benefits, including cardio-respiratory and social. Combining household chores with exercise or setting family rules such as exercise during commercials when watching TV, or stretching before bed each night all promote wellness."

Outside of home, there are many adventures available for families, according to Goldwater. Families can create scavenger hunts in their neighborhoods; play yard games; bike, hike, or skate together; or join organized activities like geocaching, hiking, or volunteer groups.

"All are great ways to get moving without even knowing you're doing it!" says Goldwater.

The Centers for Disease Control offers Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans with flexible physical activity goals so people can easily reach the prescribed amount of exercise each week. For optimum health, people of all ages should engage in aerobic, muscle - and bone-strengthening activities.

The CDC also set forth these directives to encourage young people and families to be healthy:

Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle.

Make physical activity part of the family's daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together.

Give children equipment that encourages physical activity.

Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields or basketball courts.

Be positive about the physical activities in which the child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.

Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything a child enjoys, either structured or non-structured. Activities can range from team sports or individual sports to recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities, or free-time play.

Instead of watching television after dinner, encourage children to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase, or riding bikes.

Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads or knee pads, and ensure that activity is age-appropriate.

These options for getting a family moving at home or away, along with consuming a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol and tobacco, help children to form healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, was established more than 62 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success. Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TOPS promotes successful, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170, 000 members in nearly 10, 000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.



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© 2011 Monroe County Appeal Paris, Missouri. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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