wellness bodies in motion
Connecting Parents and Children Through Fitness By Jenny Cherry
A
re you looking for a new and exciting way to connect with your family? Do you struggle to find constructive ways to “play” with your kids? Does a healthy balance of screen time and fitness simplified sound like a win-win in your home? My First Workout™ offers a fun and creative solution! “Early one Sunday morning, my son and I were cuddling in bed before starting our day, and I was overwhelmed with
appreciation for the special bond we have. I attribute this connection to our many exercise adventures together, and I am so grateful that he is a healthy and happy child. My mind began to wander, thinking of other children, and I wished that every parent had something they could enjoy with their child to connect with them on a much deeper level—like exercise— which has brought so much joy to our family. My focus in creating My First Workout™ is to assist parents in building essential lifestyle habits from the earliest moments in their child’s life, which will improve the health of all our children,” said Michelle Miller—certified personal trainer, as well as the founder and CEO of My First Workout™. My First Workout™ is a complete kit that takes all of the guesswork out of getting started. Each kit is customized for specific age ranges to meet the needs of growing children. In the kit, you receive two sets of free weights, an easy-grip sand ball, an adjustable jump rope, a nonslip exercise mat and an aerobic step that doubles as a storage case for all of the equipment. In addition, you receive an instructional video and a step-by-step poster, where each exercise is demonstrated by children under the guidance of Michelle, who has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. Children spend over 7 hours in front of a screen on an average day. Of the 55 million children who are enrolled in public school, only 30 percent are participating in daily physical education classes (Peak Fitness, Dr. Joseph Mercola). According to the Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, the lack of physical activity in childhood negatively affects cognitive function and academic performance. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that regular physical activity for children with disabilities has been shown to help in controlling or slowing the progression of chronic disease, improving overall health and function and mediating the psychosocial impact of their condition on these children and their families. Additionally, mildly strenuous exercise has been shown to reduce stereotypic movements, maladaptive behaviors and fatigue in children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
50 tallahassee woman • februar y / march 2019