helpfromhome
by | sandyseitz MSE Project Coordinator Weighing In Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
As
parents, we want the best for our children. This is true for all aspects of their lives including having healthy habits. But it’s not always clear what to do. Trying to wade through all the information available can be challenging. Trying to figure out how to incorporate it into your life can be even harder. As a community, we are working to make it easier to remember what’s important. There are five simple tips, summarized as 12345 Fit-Tastic! The numbers represent these daily healthy lifestyle behaviors: • 1 hour or more of physical activity • 2 hours maximum of screen time • 3 servings of low or nonfat milk or yogurt • 4 servings of water not sugary drinks • 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables
40
Get up and move! Life has gotten too easy: We drive to work, we take elevators, we use remote controls, and we even avoid cutting our own vegetables. With all of these conveniences, it’s important to fit 60 minutes of physical activity into our day. It doesn’t have to be an hour all at once. Break it up into shorter times throughout the day. • Try adding an extra 10-15 minutes of activity to your day by planning family activities like bike riding or going to the park or playground. •P ark in a spot that forces you to walk a few extra steps to the store or office. •G o to Oak Grove Park or one of Gladstone’s many parks and take a stroll on the trails. There are 1,440 minutes in every day, and you only need to devote less than 5 percent of that time to doing something – anything -- that gets you to breathe a little harder and your heart to beat a little faster. Being active helps you have better sleep, more energy, improved self-esteem, stronger muscles and bones, and less body fat. Come on … let’s move!