Kids' Runs and the Daily Struggle to Set the Example

Parenting: full contact sport where an impressionable little person or persons watches, sees and emulates just about everything that you do.

Setting the example is HARD HARD HARD!  We see this all the time in the area of morals and ethics -- yep, I was speeding, didn't come to a full and complete stop, told the telemarketer that the other parent wasn't home when they are sitting right there, said I didn't have any cash on me when I just went to the ATM...the list goes on and on.

However, let me encourage you that there is one area of life that it can be easy less challenging -- Health and Wellness.  Do you want to be healthy?  Do you put a priority on working out and staying fit?  Notice: I did not say do you put a priority on being thin and beautiful.

Part of how my husband and I have chosen to help our kids in these pursuits is by involving them in our sport, running.  Kids' Run are great ways to teach the young ones that fitness can be fun and rewarding.  Sometimes they are an expense that seems a little hefty [$20 for a t-shirt and a run down the street?!] but think of the long-term dividends.  When we lived in New Mexico my kids were fortunate to have a running club at school that was sponsored through a local race organization, RunFit.  They are so proud to wear their race t-shirts and display their finisher medals and their memories are ones filled with positive associations between fitness and fun.

I'd encourage you, if you don't already have a fitness routine or if you haven't seriously considered your health and nutrition choices, consider the immeasurable investment you'd be making in not just yourself but your children.  Start by shifting your mindset, instead of saying, "I'm supposed to eat vegetables", say "I'm so glad that I get to eat vegetables to give me necessary vitamins and nutrients to be healthy and strong."  If you don't like running, try Zumba, go for a walk, watch yoga on YouTube.

It doesn't have to be expensive either!  Most nights, the vegetables on our dinner table were frozen and subsequently cooked in the microwave.  Don't feel like you have to shell out a lot of money for kids' races either.  Set up a course in your neighborhood, invite your friends and draw a sidewalk chalk finish line.  Celebrate the effort and accomplishment by your children!

Whatever you do, just be you, the healthiest YOU that you can be today because your kids want and need you, and your friends do too ;-)