If you are planning for a self weight loss program, it is wise to include other family members to protect them from future deadly ailments. The school going kids are not aware of the importance of body weight management as cookies and chips continue to be their friends forever.
But if you can catch them young, they will grow up healthy and would be able to maintain themselves properly. And who is not scared about the increased tendency of obesity among adults as well as kids? Another benefit of involving the family in weight management program is that you won’t be left in isolation and lose your motivation in the long run.
For busy parents rushing out for work every morning, managing the kids’ weight management program seems to be quite taxing. So why not consider the following and enjoy the benefits of your plan?
Visit the grocery store with your family:
Arrange this on weekends. Allow every member of your family to make healthy food choices and load the cart. In this manner, you can easily plan the menu for the week starting from breakfast to dinner.
Plan simple menus with a balanced proportion of proteins, starch and fat:
Teach your children to like vegetables narrating their benefits that would impact their appearance and performance. Kids are very conscious of these factors as they strive to stand out among peers. At times, you need to educate your spouse too.
Clean up the bad stuff from your pantry:
If you are in the habit of storing cookies, chips, and pastries and other calorie-laden stuff and fast food, then get rid of these immediately. Let your containers remain filled with healthy nuts, fresh tasty fruits so that whenever untimely craving hits you or your kids, you would always pick healthy stuff.
Have a relaxed dinner:
Dinner time should be family time. Therefore chatting and spending extra time on dinner table not only refreshes your mind but also helps in taking less food which should be the practice. You chew your food better that gets properly digested.
Enjoy food with your family:
Due to shift in working schedules, it may not be possible to have all the members at the dining table every time but make the best use of the opportunity whenever available especially on weekends. Enjoying the same food together adds a special taste, which would prevent making unhealthy choices to a great extent.
Give more importance to breakfast:
When lots have been said about meal plans and cooking, it is high time we pay more attention to the breakfast. You need to attack fat with the first meal of the day and keep running throughout.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests breakfast to be the largest meal of the day when making healthy choices is easier. More you load at the end of the day, more difficult it is to burn out. The same principle applies to kids whose fussiness heightens at the breakfast table especially when they are in a hurry to reach school.
Always encourage having home-cooked foods:
You know what you add and how much you add while preparing food at home. This makes a lot of difference in the calorie intake. Pack your lunch and that of your kids with homemade foods. That is the best way to check your calorie intake.
Involve your family members:
Encourage your spouse and kids to help you in cooking tasty dishes. Sometimes involve your kids too in cooking process. They would take fun in this new activity and also learn the value of helping and sharing. Assign cooking tasks according to their age, which would help in nurturing a healthy habit.
Indulge in family activity:
While kids may prefer to have fun with their friends in the park or playground, you can also set up your own indoor-outdoor physical activities like walking, jogging or swimming. Weekends can be spent on family outdoor activities like cycling, hiking or walking where you along with your spouse and kids can taste the real fun of maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Preparing same meals for everybody:
This should be the norm in every family. But this often gets missed in a family of fussy eaters where cooking different items to satisfy all becomes a terrible task. Prepare tasty meals for everybody and make it must-have for everybody.
