Let’s talk fitness for kids! First, I’ll give you a little background. I was a personal trainer for a couple years when I lived in Arizona. Honestly I loved that job, like LOVED it. I taught 4 classes per day, 3 days a week for up to 40 women. I had ladies driving 30+ minutes to come workout in “The Garage”.
You would think with fitness being such a big part of my life that it would have rubbed off on my older girls. It didn’t. There were a couple of years I would trick everyone to come to the track with me and run/walking lunges, etc. Once we were there, they loved it! It was getting them there that was the issue. They just wanted to be at home on an iPad, watching a movie, etc. I think this is a common problem among kids nowadays and a contributing factor into childhood obesity.
I read a report recently showing 1 in 5 children (ages 6-19) are obese in the United States. A poor diet, too much time indoors, lack of knowledge and habits created by parents all factor into this issue. As a parent, you have to be so very careful how you talk to your kids about food, exercise and their bodies. You don’t want to give them a complex or have them feel like you don’t think they are good enough.
The way I see it, my girls are already exposed to body shaming and comparisons. It’s everywhere around them! From social media, TV, school, etc. My role as their mom is to create a safe place to talk about their bodies, nutrition, and exercise. It’s also to educate them! Never to shame them, tell them to put down the fork, or give them any reason to doubt their self worth.
Here are a few ideas you can use at home:
Create nutrition challenges! Each week switch it up. Some examples are: make sure you eat breakfast every day. Eat 3 servings of green vegetables each day. 8 glasses of water. Cut out sugar for a week. No boxed foods for one week. Kitchen is closed at 7pm all week.
You can create your own.No one is forced to participate. I think it’s a good way to introduce healthy habits and by inviting the whole family to do it, no one feels like you are singling them out.
Get outside and move with your kids! Walking, riding bikes, playing catch, running, tag, jumping rope. Just move with your kids! Make it fun and the kids won’t even realize they are exercising. In the summer I do a bootcamp with my kids. Each morning after chores I teach a quick 10-15 min workout. At first they dreaded this and now they ask for it.
I think what I’ve noticed the most as my kids get older, they pay attention.
Avery and Poppy were 7 and 8 when I was training in Arizona. They were 9 and 10 when I’d have to trick them to come to the track with me. Now they are 14 and 12 and ask me to teach them a workout or go jog with them. They remember the names of girls I taught, they remember the races I ran, they remember the nights at the track doing quarter mile lunges and racing to the finish line, always letting Goldie win;). So when you think you’re kids are not paying attention, they are.
Being a parent is overwhelming and being a kid has it’s own set of challenges. I’m just doing my best not to screw them up;) But really, let’s all try to be better today than we were yesterday.
I shared my Nike JACKET with you on Instagram story last week. I’m also wearing it here. It’s comes in 3 colors and is on sale for $80!
See outfit details below: 
NIKE JACKET – LEGGINGS – NIKE’S – SUNGLASSES
On Poppy: WATCH– TEE – SHORTS – SHOES
MORE WORKOUT GEAR I LOVE: Links to products are in bold
KIDS | SPORT BRA – NIKE LEGGINGS – COLOR BLOCK LEGGINGS, 40% off –
ADIDAS TEE- ADIDAS SNEAKER, obsessed!
WOMEN | FLEECE PULLOVER – LEGGINGS – TANK, 40% off – ADIDAS SWEATSHIRT – CAGE STRAP TANK – ADIDAS HOODIE – ADIDAS SNEAKERS – NIKE’S – CROP TOP
I decided a GIVEAWAY would be fun today for some new workout gear! It’s super easy..just follow us on both FACEBOOK and PINTEREST to enter to win a $100 gift card to Nordstrom! Giveaway ends on Friday the 17th!
WINNER OF THE NORDSTROM CARD GIVEAWAY: Samantha Evans- please email me at lashes.salty@gmail.com to claim your prize! Thanks for everyone who followed us on Pinterest and Facebook. I will be hosting exclusive giveaways on FB and Pinterest so make sure you are following along!
Thanks for taking the time to read. I really appreciate all of you.
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Love this jacket…may need to get it since the california “cold” is kind of starting!
Yes, I love the “cold” mornings and nights. Finally feels like fall here!
Done! I have a 13 year old daughter and am trying to be a better example for her in regards to being healthy, so I loved this post. I’ve loved following you for years, first on Lunchpails and now here. 🙂
I appreciate this Marti. Thank you for being here!
Love you and your fam. Following on FB and Pinterest.
Thanks for stopping by!
Followed!!
You’re awesome, thanks!
Love how involved you are with your kids. It really shows in your IG stories how much they look up to you ♥️ Followed on Pinterest and FB! Why didn’t I do that sooner?!
I appreciate that. It’s ebb and flow around here. Like I said, just trying my best not to screw them up;)
Love following your family on instagram. Goldie stories make me smile! Following on fb and Pinterest.
She is a crowd pleaser!
This post is so awesome! My daughter is 9 and I have been trying to get her more active and into healthy eating habits!! Such good ideas , thanks girl!!!
You are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read!
My almost 10 year old is obsessed with “exercise” clothes. She refuses to wear pants (will only wear shorts) but will now gladly put on a pair of sporty leggings. I love to run 5K’s and she wants to start running with me. She is active in sports but I can’t wait to have my cute little running buddy with me in a race. Glad to see your page on FB!
Right? Leisure wear is such a trend among kids now. I appreciate a good elastic waistband myself:)
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Long time follower. (Its fun to see you in such a good place!)
Thanks for being you ❤️
Thanks for being YOU and for the nice words. I appreciate the support!
I entered your giveaway and love your tips!
Thanks for being here!
Done!
Following!
Love good fitness tips and especially deals on workout gear. I feel like it motivates me more when I have new shoes, or even a new top – ha!
Probably my favorite post ever. I am a “new” mom (baby is 1.5) and the stress of trying to be the perfect parent is already there. My mom was so good about instilling healthy habits in us. I loved these tips.
Easy peasy! Great read!
Love this! I need your jacket. Followed both. Your fam is darling!
It’s such a great jacket!
Done! I have loved following your cute family on instagram!
Thanks for following!
Following both! This was good to read because i feel like i am learning the importance of this stuff barely at my age and i want my kids to learn when they are young!
I hear you. Health and fitness wasn’t a big topic in my home growing up. I started to understand it in my 8th grade weight training class. Making small changes in the home has lasting effects on everyone. Thanks for being here!
Following both! Thanks!!
I had no idea you even had a Pinterest!! So glad you shared!
Done! So excited I’m obsessed with your family and your hilarious Insta stories!!
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the support.
Following ? love reading your advice! Even if it doesn’t pertain to me right now, I know it’s planting a seed for the future.
I just folllowed you! We just had our first baby and I’ve been thinking so much about how to properly teach and help her to love nutrition and excercise in the right way, and i love your ideas! I’m so glad you shared them!
I’m obsessed with you and your family and your style! Thanks for all the great fashion tips and showing a great example of how to raise such a kind and beautiful family. Follow and will continue following ?
I love your balanced approach. Not to overwhelm. I have 5 kids. My husband and I have always been active. Our family has a membership at life time fitness. I lead a run group for many years and I see the same resistance from our kids. Why do they love electronics so much??? Anyway thank you for the encouraging message. It motivates me to keep reaching out even in small ways. Thank you!
Our son is only 2 and we take him running and on bike rides all time! I agree exposing them to an active lifestyle is the best way to get them moving. We just need help with the getting him to eat veggies! Haha
I missed out on the work outs but my sisters and mom went to you! My maiden name is Nance, and my sisters Vanessa, Emily, Savannah, and my mom always talked about how much fun they had at your workouts! Everyone got a good laugh watching my mom? .
Your family is so darling, I’ve followed for a while and also had a little girl around the same time as Ozzy, mine’s 7 months today!
Followed 🙂 Love the glimpse you give all of us into your beautiful life!
Such a great post! my baby girl will be 11 months soon and I know she’s still a baby but I worry about how to approach being healthy without making her feel bad or ashamed or giving her some weird complex about food. I just want to make sure I educate her the ‘right’ way on being healthy when she gets older! Hehe! Thanks for this post and the opportunity to win a Nordstrom giftcard so fun!
Xo, Steph
Love everything about this post! And I am obsessed with all the new addidas logo gear!!! Just got a logo sports bra and logo pullover sweatshirt!!
Followed on Facebook and Pinterest:) I’ve been a longtime follower and am loving Salty Lashes! So fun to see your family grow and change, thanks for sharing:)
Followed on both! I’ve been a longtime follower, so fun to watch your family grow and change:) Thanks for doing such a great giveaway!
Awesome post. Love it all! You’ve got killer advice always. Now following on FB and pinterest! 🙂
Love this post! Always love your great kid clothes/gift ideas. Keep em coming.;)
I love this post! So many good ideas to try!! I’m following on Facebook and Pinterest!
Love this, thank you!
These are such great ideas!! Just got done following you on both. ❤️
Ahhh, love salty-lashes and LOVE Nordstrom….here’s to seeing who wins 🙂
Love this post! Raising daughters well on this topic is so tricky now. It really takes a conscious effort to not pass on our own insecurities or bad habits to our girls. My girls are 2 and 3, and I feel like I already need a re-set on some food habits.
Followed
I still live in Las Sendas!! Wish your Bootcamp was still here, bc I have been trying to find one!! But I would have moved to Cali too 🙂
Following! I love that jacket!
I love this post. Inspired me to get out more with the kids. Love it. Followed on Facebook & Pinterest.
Would love a chance. AZ girl here and have zero faux winter clothes ?
Followed! Thanks for hosting a generous giveaway and sharing your life with us!
Followed! Love that gear!
What are good pants for working out that aren’t tight? Your girl has had some babies and I’m pretty self conscience working out in front of people in leggings for MULTIPLE reasons. ??