Easy Does It: How to Raise Children to be Healthy and Fit

Don't we all appreciate the person who makes life easier, even if it's a relatively small matter.  No wonder a well-known company likes to associate themselves with an easy button. I recently had a clerk in a store make my day by getting me in and out with a last minute errand that I had to get done in a hurry. Small act but deeply appreciated. On the other hand, some people can just suck the life out of you. Someone once explained it to me that people are either energy givers or energy takers. Try to be the former and avoid the latter and your stress level will go down immensely

I'm writing from the LAX airport waiting to fly to Perth, Australia for the ITU World Long Course Triathlon Championship and I'm both relaxed and excited. But most of all I'm very grateful for a co-worker who made my life so much easier this week and hopefully saved my race. In triathlon, when you practice the bike portion followed by the run portion it is called a brick. On Wed. I set off to do a short brick and the bike was fine. But a half mile into the run I had to stop because of intense pain in my calf. Long story short a skilled massage therapist worked on me and counseled me on how to heal up in time for the race Oct. 25.

I work for Heritage College as their personal training program manager. Heritage also houses a massage program and that's where I went looking for relief . A very knowledgeable instructor, Linda, who has years of experience working with athletes of all sorts, including the K.C. Wizards, was a wizard herself in giving me relief. She was very gracious, generous, and it was apparent that she loves working with athletes. Thank you, Linda!

That must be one key to being an energy-giver: doing something you love to do. I thoroughly enjoy the students at Heritage and graduation is a time of deep pride and affection for those who accomplish the goal they set out to achieve. I've had a goal to do my personal best at the race next week and I've been gunning for this particular race since Nationals a full year ago. Becoming a triathlete at all was a goal I held for years while I was pregnant,nursing, and raising children for many years. At one point I had six children twelve and under and it just wasn't the right time to enter races; at least not ones half way around the world.

Instead I did something akin to the Exercising Program that I've written about in Exercising Values. I don't regret setting some dreams aside for a time in order to invest in my young children. There really is nothing in life quite as satisfying as enabling our children to succeed. I hope that the book I've written will help moms stay in great shape, relieve stress and strengthen marriages, and help create a generation of young people who love fitness. This generation is becoming known for being the first generation not predicted to live as long as their parents because of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Exercising Values can help you turn this around. You'll be an energy-giver to your children and the fitness that therefore becomes a part of them will indeed make life easier and more fullfilling for them.

Exercising Values will hold your place in line if you have athletic goals that you've put on hold for a season to devote yourself to your children. It's a solid workout for adults that can be safely and enjoyably shared with your children.  If you share it with them you will definitely make it easier for them to stay fit and healthy. The book contains suggestions for other things you can do to promote your family's health; so important as cold and flu season approaches.

I'm hoping to post several times throughout my time in Perth to share my experience and to encourage you to dream big dreams. There is no better dream than envisioning how you will instill good character and health in your family. Exercising Values is your ally in this quest and I hope you take advantage of all our resources. Take it easy this weekend and enjoy the companionship of those you love.