By: Bill from Wheels of Giving
Wheels of Giving is a health and fitness non profit with a mission of providing education for the purpose of preventing type 2 diabetes and support/motivate/encourage people to exercise. As an organization we are well aware that the best exercise is the one that you will do. When I get to choose, I pick cycling or running. However the reason there is even a need for an organization like ours is because we as Americans are trending in the wrong direction with the lifestyle that we live. We hope to benefit all ages and typically adults need a little more help, but we all know that a healthy lifestyle starts early!
The primary way we accomplish our mission is through community events that focus on movement and education. One of the best ways to provide the education around type 2 diabetes is through an A1C test, this blood test is a 3 month lookback at how your body is responding to your lifestyle. With your A1C number you can know exactly where you stand currently and provide information on ways to lower it if needed. Diet and exercise are key components in the prevention of diabetes and at our events we have given away running shoes and GPS watches to get people moving!
I have elementary age kids so have gone through a few “life phases” already but have plenty more to come. The desire behind this article is that you are able to take a minute to think about how your actions/life can have a positive impact on your kids and their lifestyle.
Most of you are well aware of all the benefits and joys of running, thus its only logical that you want to share that with your kids. Its possible you dream of doing a race with your kids or you might be on the other end and think if your kids would run then you can also get a run in!
We don’t have the 3 steps to training up the next Olympic champion, however we have some great big picture thoughts that you should consider
- Make it fun– Some people are traumatized as kids from having to run as punishment in school or sports, that’s not what running is (although it can feel like punishment at times!).
- If you have little kids and are pushing them in a stroller- bring things they enjoy, talk to them, allow them to ask questions, stop at the park to play.
- For older kids- bring them to a race so they can experience something you enjoy, go explore a new trail and do something they enjoy before or after, don’t worry about miles and pace (being out of breath isn’t the only way to run!), incorporate other sports your kids enjoy.
- Be Creative– Kids love running…when they want to. Don’t make your kids run if they don’t want to, but don’t think the only way to run is the way you do it. Explore other sports and play those with them, the more effort you put into it the more fun they will have! Invite other families or their friends to participate.
- Be Consistent– Just like training, consistency is key. Most things are hard when you rarely do it, running is no different. Running once a month is relatively painful and very few people do it. Find ways to consistently get outside and move.
- Understand Nutrition– Exercise does amazing things for your body, but there is a saying that you can’t outrun a bad diet. Understand the food you are eating and serving your kids, generally speaking its not as healthy as you hope. We don’t advocate that you make immediate drastic changes, but slowly substituting some of the worst food in your diet for something healthy will make a difference in the long run.
To wrap this up, make sure you know the goal- getting your kids to move, not winning or performance. There are so many personality types and different gifts we all have, work with what you have, and just like adults, kids will change, quickly. So if things seem perfect now, just wait a few weeks. If you cant figure out how to get your kids outside moving because of x,y,z excuses they have….just wait a few weeks, things will change. One final thought- the life that you live sets an example for your kids. Telling your kids what to do is important, but modeling it for your kids will go so much further. If you want your kids to be into running but they just don’t want to, the best thing you can do is keep doing it yourself, they see you and maybe one day they will catch the bug!
Come Say “Hi!”
