OBESITY

                                                

     As I was returning home one evening, I saw the pani puri vendor near the school, busy selling his stuff to the eager and excited customers, hovering around him, like flies around food.  A little away, there was a bakery, where students were gorging on puffs & cakes. I was wondering what would happen to their health if they constantly eat junk food. It can be in moderation though. Realizing children’s urge to eat junk food, the school came up with the idea of a snack time-table. Chocolates, which take away their appetite was banned, so also all packaged items. like biscuits, wafers, chips etc. So, children started bringing fruits, nuts, veggies, pulses, rice cakes, and such nutritious food for snacks. It is a treat to see them relishing their snacks.

“Every human being is the author of his own health and disease.”

Anything that we repeatedly do becomes a habit. Bathing twice- a- day, brushing the teeth morning and night, eating the right food, exercising every day, praying, writing a gratitude journal, meditating, playing, are all habits. Right from childhood parents should keenly monitor the habits of children, especially their eating habits. This has a direct impact on their health. Is healthy food and exercise an interesting conversation at the dining table? Children will catch on to it soon. Most importantly, they should see their parents exercising every day.  Some mothers have the habit of over feeding their children out of love. We can show our love by initiating them into the right food habit. This is what I did to my son. He was given nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner. So even as an adult he does not indulge in junk food.

 “Movement is the song of the body.”

Exercise is another important aspect in our life. We all need some form of movement every day. Man was not designed to sit in one place. Early man moved from one place to another for food. Today we live a sedentary life and it is dangerous. We will experience the consequences much later. Medicine should not become our food.  Don’t think twice about doing some form of exercise every day. It is never too late to begin. My day either begins or ends with exercise. Don’t give yourself a choice.  Children too should be active. Need be, enroll them in a game. 

“Healing is movement. Disease is inertia.”

I am seeing so many adults struggling to lose weight. After a certain age it is difficult to lose weight because of your inability to be disciplined in your food habits, and the lack of enthusiasm to exercise. Obesity can lead to hypertension, diabetes and many health-related issues. We should value our health above everything else. Push you body for an hour and enjoy twenty-three hours of freedom. Walking, yoga, weight training, pilates, Zumba, aerobics, and the list goes on. Make your choice. The best gift that we can give ourselves is, a healthy body. Make movement a celebration of life!

 

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting