Fitness starts young...

As most of you know, I was a fat kid. In fact, you can read about my struggles here:  http://coachkarimoore.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-why-why-i-am-so-passionate-about.html Over the years, I've come to realize that fitness starts young. It's important to plant the seed of healthy food and exercise very early on in age in order for a lifetime of good health to bloom.

We've shown our daughter, through our own actions of healthy eating and daily exercise, that this is a lifetime habit, not something you do short term. I'm hoping that the lessons are sinking in.


The obesity rates are amazing - not in a good way. Did you know that 65% of teens are inactive when they reach High School? Wha?


I'm determined to do my best to educate youth on the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise.


My daughter has started cheerleading. This is her first year, she's a Mascot, and I've been lucky enough to be asked to choreography the warm-up for all the girls. YES! Totally up my alley! Not only am I able to use my cheer background (cheered for 9 years) but I have the full, undivided attention of 30+ girls. I've been using this time to quiz them on stretching and conditioning, why we stretch, how we stretch, the importance of warming up properly, what that entails, etc. I'm also planning on talking with them about healthy eating and how to properly fuel their bodies. Hahaha...they'll never know what hit them! ;)

Obesity Facts:

• 2 out of 3 of all adults in the US are obese.


• 1 out of 5 kids in the US are overweight, and on their way to being clinically obese.


• The Obesity Epidemic is costing taxpayers $350 BILLION in the US every year.


• Every state in the US, except for Colorado, has a 20% obesity rate, some even as high as 30+%.


Not looking too good.


Obesity affects a person's entire being. Some of the physical ailments related to Obesity are: Coronary Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Hypertension, Stroke, Life & Gallbladder disease, Sleep Apnea, Infertility. And, not just physically, but it takes a mental toll too: low self-esteem, lack of confidence, low energy, lack of activity, less play time with family/kids, etc.

Even our Surgeon General has made a warning:


"Our nation stands at a crossroads. Today's epidemic of overweight and obesity threatens the historic progress we made in increasing American's quality and years of healthy life...This future is unacceptable"
(The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation 2010)


So, what can you do as a parent to prepare your child for a healthy future? Easy.


It was Ghandi who once said


"Be the Change you wish to see in the World".


It starts with you. It starts with me. It must start TODAY!