Forget the Election For Now...We Have Bigger Problems!

I've been sitting at my desk since the New Year wondering what my first 2008 post would be. I wanted to write about the Dems and Repubs and their respective Primary Battles, but frankly, I couldn't muster up the energy to do it. Enough people are writing about it and I know I will eventually add my two cents.

I thought that I would start off this 10th day of 2008 with what I See and what I Know is about to happen. America is four weeks away from throwing out their New Years resolutions. Big Deal? Not Really. But there is one resolution that Parents across America are failing and giving up on. America’s children are obese and heading towards Type-2 Diabetes.

Parents across America pledged on New Years to get their kids healthy, only to stuff their pantries with garbage. Parents across America pledged on New Years to get their kids healthy, only to allow them to play Wii rather than play outside. Parents across America pledged on New Years to get their kids healthy, only to give them money to buy Ice Cream at the school cafeteria. Parents across America pledged on New Years to get their kids healthy, only to allow them to sit and watch TV for hours on end. Parents across America pledged on New Years to get their kids healthy, only to lead by example and stuff their faces.

Children learn by example. I am a 35 year old male with two children (5 and 2 ½). My wife exercises at the gym 6 days a week. I am a Type-1 Diabetic (not the obese kind). I was always active, but never did I “work out” until August of 2007. I got a trainer in October of 2007 after I saw the results of working out on my own. I work out six days a week. I have lost three pant sizes, built muscle, look fit, and feel great. More importantly, my son and daughter ask me when they can go to the gym to “get healthy”.

My wife and I are leading by example. I know that down the road I will not be able to make decisions for my kids. They will chose what to do when they get to college and then after. Hopefully, by doing what my wife and I are doing now, we set a foundation for them to expand on. Maybe, just maybe they pick up an apple vs chow down a bag of Doritos at age 25. I am not asking that they be perfect. I just know that both of my kids are predisposed to being overweight. It is in my family.

Yes, we do give our kids sweets, but we limit them. We teach moderation rather than indulgence. We eat great food that happens to be healthy for you. We are setting them up for success later in life.

Parents of America do not fail your children! Help them succeed or their weight will be an undue burden to themselves and our country.