With the past weeks of Olympics fever taking over the World, hopefully this has encouraged all households around Sri Lankan to make a lifestyle change and become healthier and active. Our Asian diets are rich in carbohydrates resulting in the ‘rice bellys’ and we never go a meal without something fried, afterwards of course followed by a lovely afternoon siesta.
The constant bombardment of unhealthy foods will take a toll on our bodies and also affect our children for being introduced to such unhealthy eating habits at an early stage. I am amazed by the number of young children I see bordering on obesity these days, I know most Asian mothers love to fatten up their children for this shows that they are quite prosperous but there has to be a balance, I worry for the child’s future to start off their diets being so unhealthy, which, as they grow into adults can result in a multitude of diseases.
As Parents we have to set the precedent, reassess our diets and get the whole family active and physical. That doesn’t mean you have to run out and join the closest gym or bombard your household with the latest muscle strengthening devices, instead these simple active exercises will get the whole household involved. Reel in the aunties and achichis and lets get physical!
Go for an evening walk
I know one could grumble in Colombo, dust and pollution…WHAT walk!. But with the latest renovations the government is doing to beautify the city, there are now plenty of safe and pollution free places to go out with the kids before dinner. We take our dogs out for a walk, why not take the kids. After being at school and home all day, they would love to stretch their legs, get some fresh air and unknowingly you are all getting active and enjoying it as well!
Have a weekly sports night.
Once a week get the whole family engaged in a sporting activity that you love, be it cricket to volleyball to swimming. Make it mandatory that everyone participates. Organize teams and get competitive!
Get Active when watching TV
My children love watching ‘Boogies Beebies’ on Cebeebies, the BBC channel for children. It encourages them to get exercise and dance and they sequel with laughter when the adults get involved as well. But unknowingly we are all getting active and enjoying it, which in turn builds harmonious relationships as well. For during dinner my old aunties ‘boogie’ moves will be discussed amidst another round of hoots of laughter.
Make clean up fun
Sing a song, do a dance get the children involved in dusting and cleaning. This is better than lounging on the floor and lifting one leg as the maid mops. You shake the laziness out of children and despite the grumbles they will start enjoying it after sometime.
Do the Gardening
Of course being outdoors is also a surefire way to beat the heat as well. By giving each child a chore in the garden this acts as two fold, it teaches them responsibility as well as gets them active. Raking the leaves or pruning the grass, just like growing plants your children are getting plenty of sun, air and exercise. This beats lounging indoors infront of the T.V.
So these are just some of my suggestions that my family engage in, think of those that would suit your family. They just have to be active, fun and something everyone can get involved in.
Everyday if you strive to be active and with a more healthier diet, you will be amazed at how fit you will feel in time to come, looking after children is hard work, turn it into something positive. Get active, get fit, become a fitter nation and we might just churn out some future Olympians in time to come!
By Mayuri Jayasinghe
0 Comments
sanju de silva says:
Aug 16, 2012 at 04:21 ampruning the grass. i love it ! pruning the grass ! Go for gold mayuri !!!
Mayuri Jayasinghe says:
Aug 16, 2012 at 12:17 pmHI Sanju!
Well it will definitely make you break into a sweat!! Good Luck!