Big Girls Do It Stronger by Jasinda Wilder

Author:Jasinda Wilder [Wilder, Jasinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Wilder Way Book Two
Publisher: Jasinda Wilder
Published: 2017-03-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Wilder Kids—Strong and Healthy

I am going to talk to you like we’re best friends sitting at lunch and chatting over a nice glass of red wine. I have so much to say about the current state of the health of our children in this country. I am not going to hold anything back because I don’t think we have time for pulling punches or political correctness. I believe that the future for our kids is dependent on the choices we make today.

I want to explain to you the difference in my kids from before we started taking our nutrition seriously and today. The best words I can use are night and day—not only are my kids now leaps and bounds healthier than they were, but they are stronger as well. They see themselves as athletic. They run! They run FAST! My two oldest sons have received medals in races that were even difficult for my husband to finish. They are finally feeling like their bodies can do amazing things. They WANT to try new things with us in the gym. As two parents who really weren’t athletic at all, it’s so cool to see.

Here’s a shocking statistic for you: data published in the Journal of American Medical Association showed that 31.8 percent of youths ages 2–19 are overweight and, even worse, 16.9 percent are classified as obese—and these numbers continues to grow. Studies also suggest that overweight and obese children become overweight adults who suffer serious health problems and diseases. Even more shocking is that this generation could even have a lower life expectancy than their parents. Looking at the current studies and projections on health in America, I believe the present situation is grave. My heart aches for the kids who are currently struggling with obesity like I did. It brings me to tears just thinking about it.

So, what can we do? How can we teach our children about real nutrition and real food? How can we teach them to move their bodies and to get excited about exercise?

As I write this I’m on a school trip with my daughter, and the ages of the kids are between 10–18 years. Each morning we’re offered a “healthy” continental breakfast at the hotel and the choices available include sugary cereal, fruit juice, bagels, sugar-filled yogurt, melon, and pineapple. There wasn’t even a single apple in sight! After perusing the options, my daughter and I decide to stick to our protein bars.

What shocks me is that when I watch these kids eating, I estimate each child is consuming anywhere from 50–100 grams of sugar, just at breakfast, and some were probably getting over 100 grams! And most of these kids are totally unaware that eating four regular-sized candy bars would have the same effect on their bodies as what they are eating at the continental breakfast.

How can we teach our kids about health when we don’t even give them healthy options?

Moms, I urge you to talk about nutrition with your kids.

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