(10/2019) Muscles are wonderful,
mysterious, and necessary but sometimes demanding things.
Having good muscle tone is what helps us stand tall, lift
our children and carry life’s daily demands.
As children grow they develop
strong muscles just by running around, playing and doing
everyday activities. Today we need to be sure they are
getting enough movement and activity to keep those muscles
strong since videos games, texting and watching TV have
become a bigger part of our children’s lifestyle. Chest
muscles can become very tight and cause symptoms that may
make you think there is a heart problem. Tight muscles in
the chest can cause pain and inflammation that is
uncomfortable. You should always check with your doctor.
In some cases a good massage may be all you need to
relieve pain and soreness of tight muscles. Today's
lifestyle has brought about health problems that just ten
to twenty years ago we never experienced. In the old days
children were riding their bikes, playing ball with the
neighbor kids and swinging on the playground. Our whole
level of activity has slowed down to a rate that we are
seeing more obesity, diabetes and overall fatigue in our
children, which in turn carries over into adulthood.
Nutrition has also become a matter
of concern. More and more children, as well as adults are
eating fast food or processed food from a box on a regular
basis because of the busy demands of work, sports practice
and other activities in our lives. I know you have heard
this many times but as adults and especially as parents we
need to take a little time out of our busy schedules to
show our children how to take care of themselves so they
can keep up with the things they need to accomplish in
life and so they can do the things they enjoy as well.
Nutrition and exercise are things we need to plan ahead
for. Make it a family activity on one day of the week to
plan the meals for the week, go shopping for the groceries
and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Chop and
package the veggies and fruit in baggies so they can be
grabbed and taken along easily. Cook enough for two nights
and have the extra warmed up a few days later. Give the
kids one day a week that they can choose what is for
dinner and they can help prepare it. I know all of this
takes extra time that we think we do not have but believe
me, once you incorporate this into your schedule you will
not only benefit from the healthier food and feel better
but you will develop a closer family relationship with you
children.
Now that the nutrition has been
taken care of the exercise will fall into place if you
include the family the same way. Let the kids pick an
activity they enjoy and make it a family event. Once or
twice a week is all it will take to develop a good habit
that will improve the health and well being of the whole
family. Everyone will enjoy being together and hopefully
you will all want to add another day or two so you can
spend more time together. Your muscles will thank you,
after they get finished telling you that you haven’t used
them in a while. By that I mean, they may get a little
sore and achy for a week or so but after that they will be
stronger and leaner. Start slow and work your way up to a
level that is challenging but not too strenuous that you
cause an injury. Stretching, soaking in warm water and
massaging the achy muscles will help them relax and take
away some of the aches if you overdo it a little. The more
you work your muscles the more they will become lean and
strong and soon you will not have any aches after a good
workout.
Make sure your children are doing
light to moderate exercise because lifting too heavy or
doing too much exercise can cause more harm than good for
growing children. Their muscles need to be used, but not
abused since they are still growing. Children should never
lift heavy weights in an exercise program, they are better
lifting their own weight with pull ups, push ups or
playing ball that will give them cardio as well as muscle
strength.
Our muscles are a vitally
important part of our body and even though they may ache
at times we need to keep them in the best shape that we
can so they are lean and strong as we age. Strong muscle
tone can keep us going for years instead of finding
ourselves sitting in the chair and having trouble getting
up. Teach by example and you will benefit and enjoy, as
much as your children will from a strong core and muscle
tone. Call me at 717-334-6009 if you need help getting
started or have any questions. Remember to keep moving,
your muscles will thank you down the road.
If you have any questions or need help getting started, please call me 717-334-6009, or via e-mail at
fitness@emmitsburg.net
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Fitness Articles by Linda