Fitness isn’t a status reserved exclusively for adults. Children can and should be encouraged to be fit too. But there are challenges. You don’t want to push too hard and create self esteem issues, do you? Today’s perspective and advice is a guest post by mom and writer, Tracey Clayton:

How do you help a child to lose weight safely and without him/her noticing? 

That’s the question that most parents ask themselves. In this age of tablets, computers, Internet, games, it can be very difficult to motivate the child to move around and expend that extra energy. Children seek constant entertainment and exercise is not something they like. It is necessary to amuse the children and make them move and exercise their bodies through the games.  

 

Encourage healthy eating

Children should eat three small meals and two snacks a day so that they would not have a problem with food craving that typically ends with a child eating unhealthy snacks. Encourage your child to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and replace white bread with brown, whole grain bread. As for snacks, there is always a healthier option. Peanuts, popcorn, almonds, walnuts or dried fruit will satisfy the need for snacking, and will not endanger the child’s health.  

 
Sufficient water intake

Children should drink at least three to four glasses of water while they are in school, as well as increase fluid intake when the weather is warm and when dealing with physical activities. As a parent, replace juice with water and/or lemonade.  

 

Get a hula hoop for your girl

Believe it or not, if properly and effectively used, the hula hoop exercise equivalents kick boxing or step aerobics. This will reinforce the muscles of the entire abdominal area, arms, legs, thighs and back, and will also improve balance, flexibility and coordination of movement while being a fun game for children.  

 

Yoga ball

This is a favorite means of exercise for most women. Children will be delighted when they see the ball and they’ll have enough concentration to commit to playing with it. Try to challenge the child to repeat some exercises more than once. Kids would want to prove that they’re able to do these exercises and really make an effort.  

 

Jumping ball

There is no child who does not like to play with this. Jumping ball strengthens the stomach muscles. Buy one with the image of a superhero or a princess and the child will never get bored of it.  

 

Jumping rope

You can find one of these with the image of favorite characters as well. Get yourself a jumping rope for adults and together with the child organize the competition. The child will enjoy, and fat will melt.  

 

Trampoline fitness

Trampoline is a great way to get a child to lose a few pounds in a fun way. There is no child who does not like jumping on trampolines. Did you know that 10 minutes of jumping burns the same amount of calories as a half-hour jog? There is an option to purchase a home trampoline, but this will keep the child interested for a short while, and later on, trampoline will probably end up in the basement. Moreover, these trampolines are not very safe and there is a possibility of injury. Therefore, it is always better that you keep track of when a child is practicing and take him/her twice a week to a special fitness center with trampolines where you can find quality and safe trampolines. Such places are organized and fun for children and they can also be a great party venue for kids. They are very popular lately and also very useful. There are numerous games that can be played on the trampolines and they are increasingly popular among children.  

 

Walks in nature

Try to have some trips to nature with your family. Organize a long walk at least once a week, and it would be the best if the route were in a mountainous landscape. Bring along fresh fruit, healthy snacks and plenty of water and, if the child complains, offer him/her a healthy meal during the break.  

 

Sports and dancing

If you notice that your child is interested in dancing, be sure to get him/her into dancing class. Dancing is a great way to lose weight. Also, if your kid is interested in sports, even with no noticeable talent, encourage this. The child’s wish should be a signal for you.  

 

Bicycle and skates

Benefits of skating are tight buttocks, shaped legs and straight back. Skating partially tightens the torso, maintains balance, improve movement coordination and increases strength.   

Cycling has the biggest impact on leg muscles, it improves strength and fitness. Riding a bike has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Boost your child’s enthusiasm for cycling and skating, since these are fun and very healthy activities.  

 
Of course, it is up to you to make maximum effort when it comes to the health of your child. From my own experience I can say that in the first years of my daughter’s life I was very concerned, but I applied these simple tips. She is now engaged in sports, she likes to ride a bike and roller skates, the food she eats is very healthy, and even she herself knows to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy food. In years to come, children will grow up and it will all come into place if you take proper measures from the start.  

 

About author:

Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She loves cooking, baking, sewing, spending quality time with her daughters and she’s passionate about writing. She is a contributor on High Style Life and her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” Find her on Facebook.

 

Get more Runwright on Bloglovin, Instagram and Twitter. 

Shared with – Wild Workout Wednesday