I read an article in this month’s Parenting magazine about a mother’s struggle to come to grips with her children being overweight.  She fed them healthy food but they ate it in large quantities, so some of her children were at unhealthy weights. 

This seems to be the case everywhere.  We were at a small town festival this weekend, which always proves to be good people watching.  I noticed just how many kids were overweight, and I don’t think it was the case when I was growing up.  I know that genetics does play a part in weight gain, but nowadays the food we feed our children has a big role, as well.  Just look at the statistics for obesity rates…they continue to climb.

This is something I struggle with daily.  What can I feed my children that they will actually eat that is healthy for them?  I try.  I get fresh fruit, but still give them sugar-loaded fruit cups when I don’t get to the grocery store.  I make grilled cheese sandwiches with wheat bread instead of white, but how healthy is that really?  Their favorite food is mac & cheese and peanut butter sandwiches.  Fatty, fatty, fatty.  Then there is juice, which although we dilute it, is still bad for them.

It’s not like my kids are overweight.  That would require them to actually eat instead of just wanting to play all the time.  I just want to get them started out right in life and learn healthy eating habits and to eat in moderation.  I don’t want them to have to struggle with their weight.  Although I never thought I was thin enough as a kid, I wasn’t overweight.  I think it is normal for teens especially to want that model figure; however, if you already are at a good weight you don’t feel the pressure to crash diet.  I never dieted in high school.  I also rarely drank soda, a chocolate bar was a rare treat, and exercise was just a part of life on a farm.  I did have my sedentary times, but I also didn’t overeat.  I didn’t have to learn how to control my weight until I was in college, and once did an unhealthy weight drop using diet pills and slim fast.  I know better now.

Being healthy really starts with setting a good example at home with myself.  I am not active, and I really need to do this for myself as well as my kids.  Those extra 10 mommy pounds are starting to really bother me because I know that soon it will be harder and harder to keep the weight down.  As we age our metabolism slows down and maintaining our weight gets to be a lot more work.  I am also starting to get short of breath, and since I tend to get sports-induced asthma, I don’t want to get full blown asthma due to not taking care of myself.

Then there’s my cooking.  I like to cook foods from scratch, but I also like to eat rich foods.  Rich=fatty.  Yes, I love me some butter. I need to figure out how to make flavorful healthy food.  That is the problem…most of the healthy alternative are just bland.  Ick…why bother spending the time to make food if it is going to taste like nothing.  I do believe that you can treat yourself, though, just don’t gorge yourself on those treats. 

I am going to try to make time to be healthy.  That is always the problem, isn’t it?  It’s not like I spend my nights sitting on the couch with Cheetos in one hand and the clicker in the other.  I am always doing something, but those somethings are generally sitting on my butt in front of a computer or sewing machine.  I rarely go to bed before 11 pm.

Somehow I will find the time.  Nothing that is worthwhile is ever easy.  I need to make a plan of action and stick to it.  Other moms are able to swing it…why can’t I?