What kind of role model are you?

Do you know 340 million kids are overweight? Read that again! 340 million kids are overweight!
The research shows that children emulate their parents. What they see their parents doing, more than likely they will copy and do over time themselves. For that reason it is very important not just for your sake, but if you have children, then for your childrens sake that you are living a healthy lifestyle.
 
How can you best model healthy lifestyle?
 
1. Eat well.
This is so important for yourself, but also for your children to get into the right habit. Simple things like plant based, natural foods, rather than processed food. Ensuing priority on protein intake. Loads of fruit & vegetable. Talking about energy balance (calories in versus calories out), and minimise snacking.

2. Go to the gym/ lift weights
Strength training is one of the best things to be role modelling for your kids. Why not get them involved early? For example, show them pictures of you working out, or better still have them come along occasionally to see you workout (if that’s possible), or meet you towards the end of your session. Or you could show them some of the exercises at home. As a minimum, talk to your children about it and how you feel about strength training.

3. Walk
Walk wherever and whenever you can. Keep the focus on getting at least 8000 steps a day. If possible, walk you child to and from school.

4. Sleep
This maybe a hard one, especially if your children are young and are not sleeping great, but it is such a vital one. Again you need to be leading by example, aiming for that 8 hours quality sleep per night.

5. Drink Water
Show your children the value of drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. Demonstrate the value in water and show there is no need for sugar fizzy drinks!
 
Show these to your children from an early age. What the child sees/ does in childhood will persist with them into adulthood.