Are We Practicing What We Preach?
By Lisa Love • Apr 24th, 2009 • Category: health
“Now, I want you to eat all of your vegetables this time (as little Johnny tries to shove a spoonful of peas in the dog’s mouth).” Sound familiar? Often times we sound like a broken 45 record with children. We tell them to do certain things, but do we do them ourselves? Yet we know children watch and imitate adults like a hawk. So the question is, are we setting good examples? Are we practicing what we preach?
I will be the first to admit that I sometimes fall short in this area. In our book, That’s Bingzy! Busy Building Self-Esteem, one of Bingzy’s Builder-Uppers is I Am Healthy. We even have a rhyme and song on our CD about being healthy. It says,
I eat my fruits and veggies,
Carrots, beets, and berries.
I daily stretch and exercise,
Good health will be my prize.
So as I really think about the words, “I daily stretch and exercise,” the word “daily” keeps popping up. Do I really daily stretch or exercise? Hmm…No! Well then am I practicing what I preach? Now I might be a bit hard on myself, and you may think I’m being too literal, but you get my picture right?
So as the month of April comes to a close, I’m letting everyone know that for the entire month of May, my goal is to exercise every single day. Whether it’s going to the gym or going for a rigorous walk, I will put in at least 30 minutes of physical exercise every day in May. Sound aggressive? Realistic? Anyone want to jump on the band wagon and join me in this challenge?
Now the whole goal of this is to get in the habit of practicing what I preach. Kids are watching every move we adults make, and I personally want to set a good example. And perhaps some way, some how I will inspire other kids to want to start exercising.
Sound like a plan? What is your goal for next month in terms of inspiring a child? And it doesn’t have to be your own child. It can be any child. I’d love to hear! Of course again, if you’d like to join me in this particular challenge…by all means please do. I will keep everyone posted.
Here’s to the start of an inspiring month! And remember, TOGETHER we can build self-esteem, one child at a time.
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Great idea Lisa! I will try and join you and exercise as often as my rather old body lets me. I too need to practice what I preach! There are way too many times that we fail to follow through with our good intentions. So, I pledge to try and do better.
I will join you! I am starting from couch-potato status to train for a triathlon next year. I walk/exercise M-F and rest on Sat/Sun. My kids are excited that I will be a “real” athlete in the end! It’s also good for the little ones to see me going outside. The winter months have been too long and kept us inside. I need to motivate my 4-yr old to go outside and be active!
Yeah!!! That’s great Natalie! You are completely correct in that now the weather is getting nice, there are more summer-type fruits like strawberries coming back in season, so why not be active? It’s the perfect time. And yes…I think it’s so important for kids to see people in their lives exercising and eating the right foods. The goal is to have a positive influence on young kids and to set a good example, so that they in turn will see the importance of being active and eating the right foods.
Why don’t you join me on my Facebook page for Bing Note at http://companies.to/bingnote. Beginning Friday, May 1, I’m going to start a diary of my thoughts as well as ups & downs as I start this month long challenge. I think it will be a great place for others who are also going through this challenge, to be encouraged and to express their thoughts.
I’m so excited for you and the change you’ve decided to make in your life. I’m here for you and please keep me posted.
Lisa