All of you dads out there... what puts the biggest smile on your face? For me, it's my kids and just about everything they do, with the exception of my 2-year whining about nothing at times.:) I have two little girls... Hope just turned 6 and Chloe just turned 2. They are the BEST! There's nothing better than coming home from a trip and hearing them say, 'Daddy's home!', as they run into my arms.
So, my wife and I are both active people and the kids see that. They see dad heading out on his bike or for a run almost daily. They sometimes see articles or ads in magazines (Triathlete, VeloNews, Inside Tri, etc.) laying around the house and get a kick out of seeing daddy's picture. Sometimes, they watch a 'check disk' of a new video we're about to release and make fun of daddy's hair , clothes, etc. (like many of you do as well, or so I hear.:). They have grown up around physical fitness, healthy eating and 'goal setting' and it's starting to shape them in a good way!
Hope joined the local Jr. swim team program a few months ago and has really taken to the water. She swims with the 'green group' (i.e. beginners) twice a week for 30 minutes each time and is progressing steadily in each stroke. I stand on deck watching her, careful not to pressure or correct her... I want it to be fun, and right now, it is!
Late yesterday after school and homework, she wanted me to show her how to do jumping jacks for 'training'. I said, 'wait a minute... I have a workout DVD to show you.', so I grabbed a copy of my Strendurance DVD and popped it in. She came out with her workout outfit and did the entire first workout of 25 minutes, start to finish! It practically made my heart melt, watching my 6 year old exercise to my training dvd... WOW! And to top it off, Chloe, our 2 yr. old, came in mid-way and while watching , started doing little modified jumping jacks and stretches. Very cool!
So there you have it... the cure to childhood obesity. As anyone who is a parent and who is reading this blog is 'active', I'm sure that your habits of goal setting, exercise and eating well rub off on your kids too. Let's all continue to set positive examples for the next generation!
Train smart,
Coach Troy
