Do It For Yourself, Do It For Them

Good morning everyone! I've awakened to a rainy Thursday morning. I'm hoping it clears up by this afternoon because it's Tulip Time where I live and today is the Children's Parade. Hundreds (and hundreds!) of elementary school children will be marching in a parade today, wearing traditional Dutch costumes and carrying signs and props that depict Dutch traditions. It's a really cute parade - probably my favorite of the three parades we have during Tulip Time. The children march rain or shine, unless there is lightening, so I hope we don't have a lot of soggy kiddos by the time the parade is over! :-)

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in this country and threatens the health of the next generation. I know that many of the children marching in today's parade will be overweight and out of shape, and that makes me incredibly sad. The good news is that, for those of us on Take Shape for Life/Medifast, we have an opportunity to not only change our lives and improve our health, but many of us will also use this to change the lives of our children as well.

When mom (and dad) starts eating healthy and losing weight, often the whole family begins to eat healthier - I've seen this happen over and over again. A parent (usually the mom, but not always) goes on Medifast, starts eating better and then begins to wonder why she's eating better than the kids. Those nutritionally empty, high fat/sugar, high calorie snacks and other foods are soon replaced by healthier options, and the whole family gets healthier (and the grocery bill goes down!). Parents begin to be more physically active and the TV gets turned off and the family gets outside.

As you begin another on-plan day, realize that you may well have the opportunity to change a lot of lives in addition to your own. Even if you don't have children, you most likely have the opportunity to influence children of family members and friends. This is a great time to talk about how you're making healthy choices so you can take care of your body!

So today, commit to staying on plan for yourself, and do it for the people who are watching you - especially the next generation.