6 Steps to Kids Fitness

Thanks to a fast food/soda pop diet and the attractions of the TV, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions.

“It’s not unusual to see a 12–year–old weighing 250 pounds,” says Christiane Wert, M.P.H., R.D., program director for KidShape, a Los Angeles weight management program for children.

Overweight kids are targets for other kids’ barbs, which can leave emotional scars, but there are more immediate physical concerns – high blood pressure, cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. Excessive weight also exacerbates asthma, contributes to orthopedic problems like hip displacement and knee fractures, and may lead to early menstruation in pre–teen girls, a risk factor for breast cancer.

The problems are all preventable, Wert says, if children slim down by eating nutritious food and getting more physically active. It’s not just a matter of cutting calories, which tends to deplete muscle mass along with fat; this kind of “dieting” not only weakens children, but ultimately slows down fat metabolism.

In contrast, exercise boosts metabolism on a 24–hour basis. When kids are regularly active, their bodies burn more calories even when they’re sitting around watching Xena.

Here are some of Wert’s ideas for enticing even the most sedentary kids to get physical:

Make exercise fun.

“Think of activities that kids enjoy and that they’ll succeed at,” advises Wert. “If you pick an activity that’s too difficult for them to master, they’ll feel like failures and won’t want to keep doing it.” Ice skating, inline skating, or skiing, for example, may be great for some, but too complex for others. Consider snowshoeing, a bike ride, a martial arts class, or even something as simple as a hike through the park or a brisk walk at your favorite shopping center. Better yet: Ask your kids what they might like to try.

The family that plays together…

Parents (and siblings) should get on board with the new exercise program. The more family members who get enthusiastically involved, the better. “If parents see exercise as a chore, kids will sense that and won’t want to do it,” notes Wert. Instead, form Team Family so that the child doesn’t feel singled out or punished for being overweight. When was the last time you did something fun and active with your children?

Reward effort.

Set up a point system for exercise. For instance, keep track of everyone’s exercise feats with a chart on the refrigerator. Don’t make it a competition, but reward the whole group’s accomplishment. When everyone has done three exercise activities a week, say, celebrate by doing something special. But never use high–calorie sweets or fatty foods as a reward, Wert cautions; it sends the wrong message. “Food is something to nourish the body, not a reward or punishment,” she states firmly: “If at the end of a week of healthful eating, you reward your child with an ice cream sundae, it will seem more desirable than the healthful food. The child may become consumed thinking about it.”

Instead of food, try tickets to a sporting event, the theater, a concert or the movies. Girls might like a massage or facial at a day spa. Or splurge on athletic equipment like skates, mountain bikes, a gym membership, even something as simple as a jump rope or wacky exercise video.

Circuit–train at home.

Who needs a fancy home gym when you’ve got stairs, living room furniture and canned goods? Using everyday items as exercise tools makes for creative fun. Wert suggests establishing workout stations throughout the house for specific exercises. Do as much as you can at one spot in two or three minutes, then move on to the next station.

Jog five or six times up and down the stairs in the allotted time, move on to crunches with your legs up on the couch, then hustle to the kitchen to curl two 10–oz. cans of tomatoes or water bottles. Finish the routine by jumping rope on the porch. Do the circuit several times. Make it more fun by blasting your kids’ favorite music.

Dance!
Turn your living room into a disco. Pump up the volume, and shake it. Sure, it’s high on the corniness meter, but it can also be a lot of goofy fun.

Play schoolyard games.

Tag, touch football and capture the flag are aerobic outdoor games that everyone can play. Invite other families on your block to join in, and it becomes a big social event –– not like exercise at all. When they’re having fun, kids barely notice the huffing and puffing.

When the weather is nasty, a great indoor option is crab soccer. Get down crab–like, scuttling on your hands and feet to move a soft Nerf ball from one end of the family or rumpus room to the other. Just be sure to clear away anything breakable before you start.

Buiding Confident Kids

It takes confidence to be a kid. Whether going to a new school or stepping up to bat for the first time, kids face a lot of uncharted territory.

Naturally, parents want to instill a can-do attitude in their kids so that they’ll bravely take on new challenges and, over time, believe in themselves. While each child is a little different, parents can follow some general guidelines to build kids’ confidence.

Self–confidence rises out of a sense of competence. In other words, kids develop confidence not because parents tell them they’re great, but because of their achievements, big and small. Sure, it’s good to hear encouraging words from mom and dad. But words of praise mean more when they refer to a child’s specific efforts or new abilities.

When kids achieve something, whether it’s brushing their own teeth or riding a bike, they get a sense of themselves as able and capable, and tap into that high–octane fuel of confidence.

Building self–confidence can begin very early. When babies learn to turn the pages of a book or toddlers learn to walk, they are getting the idea “I can do it!” With each new skill and milestone, kids can develop increasing confidence.

Parents can help by giving kids lots of opportunities to practice and master their skills, letting kids make mistakes and being there to boost their spirits so they keep trying. Respond with interest and excitement when kids show off a new skill, and reward them with praise when they achieve a goal or make a good effort.

With plentiful opportunities, good instruction, and lots of patience from parents, kids can master basic skills – like tying their shoes and making the bed. Then, when other important challenges present themselves, kids can approach them knowing that they have already been successful in other areas.

Stay on the Sidelines

Of course, supervision is important to ensure that kids stay safe. But to help them really learn a new skill, it’s also important not to hover. Give kids the opportunity to try something new, make mistakes, and learn from them.

For instance, if your son wants to learn how to make a peanut butter sandwich, demonstrate, set up the ingredients, and let him give it a try. Will he make a bit of a mess? Almost certainly. But don’t swoop in the second some jelly hits the countertop. In fact, avoid any criticism that could discourage him from trying again. If you step in to finish the sandwich, your son will think, “Oh well, I guess I can’t make sandwiches.” But if you have patience for the mess and the time it takes to learn, the payoff will be real. Someday soon he’ll be able to say, “I’m hungry for lunch, so I’m going to make my own sandwich.” You might even reply, “Great, can you make me one, too?” What a clear sign of your faith in his abilities!

Offer Encouragement and Praise

Sometimes, it won’t be you swooping in when your child falters, but your child giving up. Help by encouraging persistence in the midst of frustration. By trying again, kids learn that obstacles can be overcome.

Once kids reach a goal, you’ll want to praise not only the end result but also their willingness to stick with it. For instance, after your son has mastered making that peanut butter sandwich you might show your confidence by saying, “Next time, want to learn how to crack an egg?” Sandwich fixing and egg cracking might not seem like huge achievements, but they’re important steps in the right direction – toward your child’s independence.

Throughout childhood, parents have chances to prepare kids to take care of themselves. Sure, it’s great to feel needed, but as kids steadily gain confidence and independence, their relationship with you can be even richer. You can be bonded, not just by dependence, but also by love and shared pride in all they’ve achieved. Eventually, your grown–up kids just might say thanks for how prepared they feel for the road ahead – a road they can take with confidence.

Kung Fu Panda 2: Dragon Warrior Challenge

The Panda-monium has begun! In honor of the release of Kung Fu Panda 2 we are starting up a fun, exciting, and totally AWESOME contest: The Dragon Warrior Challenge.

Every time you bring a new friend or family member in to an event or for a free lesson you earn Dragon Warrior points. The first 15 students to reach 15 points will win the following Kung Fu Panda 2 prizes:

• T-Shirt (Youth M-Youth XL Available)
• Beach Ball
• Playing Cards
• 2 Pencils
• Mini Movie Poster
• 2 Removable Tattoos

Students can earn points for each of the following missions:

• Friend Attends class = 1 point for Student
• Friend Attends training class = 2 points for Student
• Friend Attends summer camp = 5 points for Student
• Friend enrolls in summer program = 10 points for Student

Get the new Kung Fu Panda 2 VIP Passes and get started towards winning your prizes. Here are suggestions to help you win our totally AWESOME prizes:

• Kung Fu Panda 2 Training Class (Friday, June 3rd 6:45pm-7:45pm)
• Summer Camp #1 (July 11th – July 15th)
• Summer Camp #2 (August 22nd – August 26th)

Invite these people:

• Family members
• Friends
• Classroom friends
• Parents and parents’ friends
• Sports team
• Businesses
• Church, Boy/Girl Scouts Group or organization you belong to

Invite everyone you know so you can win!

Kid Power Bully Defense Course (01.14.11)

Here at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg we were sad to find out that almost 10% of school age children are the victims of a bully. Bullying is most common by the second grade and occurs throughout life. Bullying can be both physical and verbal, and can range from mild teasing to pushing and hitting. Bullying is even done quite often on the internet.

The team of instructors at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey is trying to make a difference by building strong leaders in the community through Songahm Taekwondo and Martial Arts. It concerns us that children are being victimized by their peers. Being a victim of a bully can lead to a child avoiding school and developing anxiety about attending class.

Research and various case studies show us that victims of bullies are usually stereotyped as being loners, passive, quiet, sensitive, anxious, and with low self-esteem they are often smaller and/or weaker than the other children of the same age and they may even come from an overprotective home. Being a victim of a bully can cause your child to feel insecure, lower their self-confidence and have feelings of low self-worth and poor self-esteem. This may ultimately lead to depression and/or violence, either against themselves or against the bully. “Awareness is the key for parents, watching for changes in attitude, behavior and daily actions” states Mr. Cory McNallan, School Owner and Chief Instructor at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg.

Unfortunately, victims of bullies often do not seek help or confide in anyone about the bullying, either because of shame or embarrassment or fear that it will be worse if the bully finds out. It is important to look for signs in your children. One of these signs could be, school avoidance behaviors, especially chronic nonspecific complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches, or they may have trouble sleeping. Also, if your child seems afraid or anxious about going to school, has a change in his/her personality or his/her behavior, or a change in his/her grades, you should consider that he/she may be a victim of a bully at school. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches students and the youth within the community “LIFE SKILLS” that will change a child’s life and teach them…”Don’t Be A Target” and Don’t Be A Victim” in life. “Quality Life Skills such as; Self-Respect, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and enhanced social skills offer our students the ability to manage these concerns” states, McNallan.

If you suspect that your child may be a victim of a bully, you can ask them if they are being teased at school, or ask more open-ended questions, such as “What do you like to do at recess?” or “Who do you sit with at lunch?” Be open and listen to your child and most of all utilize your instinct as a parent.

Children are most often bullied at school, usually on the playground or at lunchtime when children are more likely to have minimal supervision, or it may occur in the hallways between classes or on the school bus. In any situation, the better supervised children are, the less likely that bullying will occur. Role playing on how to deal with verbal and physical bullying is taught in classes at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey.

Children who are bullies may have problems with low self-esteem, but newer theories argue that bullies are driven more by a desire to have power over others and to be “in control” because they have poor self-esteem and that they have little empathy for their victims. They may also be aggressive, bossy, controlling, have a low level of self control, and have difficulty making friends. Bullies are also more likely to develop criminal behaviors as adults. Characteristics such as these are not accepted or healthy in any community. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches how to strategically recognize, manage and deal with such improper behavior.

While this may help you understand why a bully acts the way they do, this doesn’t necessarily help your child deal with the problem when it occurs. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg offers classes that deal directly with these concerns. Things that you should avoid include teaching your child to fight back, since they may get hurt and it may also get him/her in trouble at school. We need to teach our children to be assertive and to show self-confidence at all times. Interact socially, and become a user of quality life skills that will protect them from becoming a victim.

Parents often turn to enrolling their children in a martial arts program, and while this can be helpful to build their self-esteem and help them be more assertive, the goal of taking the classes should not be so that he/she can fight back but to instill confidence and enhance their self-esteem. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches a powerful, and inspiring Program “Kid Power Bully Defense Course” through quality life skills they learn the … “Don’t Be A Target” program. First and foremost they need to demonstrate and hold themselves in a manner that is not one that bullies see as a target. Second, they learn “Self Defense” through verbal practice and physical drills and skills students become aware of how a bully may attack them as an individual.

It may also help to talk with school officials about the problem (so that they can better supervise your child, observe the bully and intervene when necessary) and teach your child not to respond too strongly to the bully (either by crying or giving in to demands), because the bully is more likely to continue bullying your child if he/she knows that they will get a response.

Schedule a meeting between the parents of the children involved and school officials so everyone is aware and the potential and harmful threat may be dealt with.

ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg can teach your child to walk away (but while staying calm and not running), tell the bully to stop and leave him/her alone, or to use humor and come up with a good comeback when a bully teases him/her. It can also help if your child has high self-esteem and if he/she has some strong friendships, so that he/she is less of a target. Teaching your child to make eye contact with others (especially the bully) and to talk with a strong voice may also help. Role playing situations where he/she is bullied may be helpful in teaching how to respond.

It is also important for the bully to understand that bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If the bullying behavior or other aggressive behaviors persist, then he/she may need to speak with a trusted adult like a family member, friend or even their martial arts instructor as a mentor.

No one should ever become a Target or Victim in life. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg takes bullying serious and stands to protect the youth within the community. STAND UP & STAND PROUD!

ATA Martial Arts is offering a Kid Power Bully Defense Course to help children understand the consequences of bullying and being bullied. Call today and enroll now!

Date: Friday, January, 14th
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876
Phone: 908.541.9800

Put an End to School Yard Bullies – Part ONE

By Shei Franco

Reading, writing, arithmetic, name calling, teasing and pushing. They all have something in common.

You might be surprised to know they all are taught in school. Perhaps only three are actually part of the curriculum, but the rest are just as prevalent. Even if a child is not the victim of harassment, chances are he has witnessed students under attack.

For some parents, the topic of bullying seems irrelevant. After all, the sweetly dressed 5–year-old at the bus stop can’t possibly be a threat. But, according to Lori Linden, an elementary school guidance counselor in Millcreek, Pa., bullying can start at any age. “As early as kindergarten, [there is] pushing in line and making demands to other children,” Linden says.

How Bullying Starts

Teachers and parents need to identify children who bully. Classroom and household sanity depends on it. While most parents concentrate on whether their child is being bullied, they should not ignore the possibility that the bully might belong to them.

“The bully usually exhibits disrespectful behavior, in general, to peers, teachers and others,” says Brien O’Callaghan, a clinical psychologist and marriage and family counselor, in Bethel, Conn. “The disrespect may be obvious or subtle. There is usually an arrogant, know–it–all, sarcastic attitude. There are also usually other signs like academic underachievement, other misbehaviors like stealing and a pattern of making excuses for misbehavior and blaming others.”

While these signs indicate an underlying character issue, O’Callaghan adds that nothing is certain. “It is important to note that it is also possible that the bully will keep a low profile and not be easily identified,” he says.

How to Tell

Most parents do not witness their child being bullied. They believe, in good faith, that a teacher or adult that cares for their child will notify them of any harassment. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.

How, then, can parents know when their child is being bullied? O’Callaghan warns that uncovering the victim is not always easy. He points out the child may feel embarrassed, threatened or may simply believe that her claims will fall on deaf ears.

In the theme of the new Karate Kid movie, students and their buddies will learn how to deal with bullies and defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt, hit, or grab them. Students and their buddies will also learn the negative effects that being a bully has on a kid. We’ll also do some of the techniques and exercises that the main characters from the Karate Kid movies used when training (catching a fly with chopsticks and other fun games).

The first 20 kids and their friends that come to the seminar will get a FREE Karate Kid poster, and other Karate Kid prizes. This seminar will be PACKED, so RSVP right away by calling us at 908.541.9800 or email Info@ATABranchburg.com.

Date: Saturday, June 26th 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: ATA Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876