The Blonde Runner

Today my youngest child is one. It is amazing to me to see how much progress a little baby makes in one year’s time. It seems to me that when a significant birthday is coming up we are forced to reflect on what we have accomplished in our life so far. Often, this reflection spurs change. “If you always do what you have always done, you’ll get what you have always gotten” So, you have to ask yourself, am I please with my life and state of my health? If not, changes need to be made. For some this may be a life makeover, for others this may be a few minor adjustments.

Maybe you need a life makeover, but you feel you are not ready for such large changes or you question your ability to stick to it. Remember - anyone can be healthy for one-day or change one health habit for a day. Perhaps drinking a little more water, or eating another fruit or vegetable for a snack is doable. Maybe getting to bed 30-minutes earlier or going without soda pop or candy/chocolate for a day. The more often a healthy choice is made the easier it gets to make it again and again. Even small changes can make a big difference in our health over time. Imagine all the little things a small baby learns each day to finally talk, feed itself and walk. It is amazing to see what even small daily changes can lead to in one year’s time. Resolve to wake up each day and ask yourself “What can I do to be a little healthier today.” Then DO IT. Each marathon is a series of steps….

…good luck to those wishing to make the Olympic Marathon team at the Boston Marathon soon!

Teaching children health habits is possible. As I strive to teach my young children, I have developed a meal-time rule - “try at least one bite“ because you’ll never know if you’ll like it unless you try it. This is a principle I learned from the childhood classic Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

I have found that most children are like the typical adult - they are not always in the mood for a particular food. While a mood should not dictate all food choices it should be considered and food should be offered and re-offered to children again and again. Exposing children to all the different fruits and vegetables nature has to offer can lead to great discoveries. Who would have thought my three year old would like cooked green peppers?!

I have found children are sensitive to textures and may prefer a sliced apple over a cooked one. Try offering foods in a variety of ways and don’t assume that they don’t like it just because they have rejected it once. Offer vegetables again and again. They may just like them in a box or with a fox, and on a train. And in a car. And in a tree. They are so good, so good, you see!

Here are some other ideas to get children healthy:

Children’s 26.2 mile challenge

Teen Fit Class - for girls ages 12-18 years.

Local Races & Events