5 Ways to Reach (and Maintain!) a Healthy Weight
Diets aren't the way to go when it comes to losing weight. That's because they create
temporary eating patterns — and, therefore, temporary results. You can reach and
maintain a healthy weight just by establishing healthy eating habits. Here’s 5 ways
to make that happen:
- Exercise.
Regular physical activity burns calories and builds muscle — both of which help
you look and feel good and keep weight off. Walking the family dog, cycling to school,
and doing other things that increase your daily level of activity can all make a
difference.
- Reduce screen time. One reason kids get less exercise
is because of increased "screen time" — the amount of time you spend watching TV,
looking at the computer, or playing video games. You should limit your "screen time"
to less than 2 hours per day (this does not include the time you spend working on
school related tasks).
- Watch out for portion distortion. Serving sizes have increased
over the years, and these extra calories cause weight gain. Another thing that can
cause weight gain are sugary beverages, such as sodas, juice drinks, and sports
drinks. So make sure you choose smaller portions (or share restaurant portions)
and go for water or low-fat milk instead of soda.
- Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Fruits and veggies
are about more than just vitamins and minerals. They're also packed with fiber,
which means they fill you up. And when you fill up on fruits and veggies, you're
less likely to overeat when it comes to high-calorie foods like chips or cookies!
- Don't skip breakfast. Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, burning
calories from the get-go and giving you energy to do more during the day. When you
skip breakfast, it can make you feel so hungry that you’ll eat more later on in
the day. So make sure you eat a fulfilling breakfast in the morning, it’s the best
way to start your day!
Get Up, Get Out, Get Fit!
Excerpt from Kids Health - http://www.kidshealth.org.
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