Kid’s Health – keep it simple!

Take the Simple Approach to Kids and Health

Parenting has become so complicated these days! On the one hand, it’s great to have tons of advice on hand on how to be a better parent, yet on the other hand there often conflicting techniques, leading to info overload!! In Unislim’s experience, it’s always best to keep things simple. Simple changes make all the difference.

When it comes to the health of our children, simplicity is also key – forget the junk foods or the foods with added colours and e-numbers. Instead, fill your fridge with natural, unprocessed foods. A ‘back to basics’ plan could also mean switching off the telly and getting outside to play again, like the good old days.

Why do we need to address this now? Because the sad fact is that our children’s health is being threatened by the way many of us live today. In fact, about one-quarter of our Irish nine year olds are overweight, according to a new report called ‘Growing Up in Ireland’. And, even more shocking, parents out there don’t even know it.

Professor Layte, the head researcher, found that many parents were unaware of this problem, with half of parents thinking that their children were at the right weight, when the reality is far from that. So, what can we do as parents? Accept it if your child is overweight and then do something about it. Unislim offer professional advice to families as well as adults and the Unislim Food Maximizing plan is suitable for the entire family to follow, making healthy eating and weight control easy and fun to achieve.

At Unislim we believe the answer lies in a simple, yet effective approach to our lifestyles. Think about why your children may be overweight or heading that way? Nine times out of ten, it’s because they’re sitting for too long (often in front of computers and TVs) and eating processed foods high in sugar and fat.

Wean your Kids off Sugar

Everywhere parents turn, there is sugar being offered to their children, whether it’s low down in the supermarket shelves, or even by well intentioned  relatives, neighbours or friends. This is the biggest challenge to our children’s health, though, so it’s crucial that we tackle it head-on.

Weaning the kids off sugar isn’t as difficult as it may sound at first. One of the easiest ways to do this is to start looking at the amount of high GI foods you have in your cupboard (such sugary cereals, cookies and white breads which break down quickly during digestion releasing sugar (glucose) rapidly into the bloodstream. Instead, begin replacing these with low GI alternatives (such as wholegrain breads, brown rice and wholesome veggies), which break down more slowly, releasing glucose more steadily into the bloodstream.

Your child, or children, may resist these food changes initially. In fact, they may even eat less and complain about being hungry, which is hard for you to hear, but persist with your plan! As long as you provide plenty of healthy options, they’ll soon be won over. Place bowls full of fresh fruit and healthy dips, such as hummus, in easy to reach places and then watch in amazement as they start to munch on these and other healthy foods. Children are much more flexible than we give them credit for so they will adapt, and you’ll see the benefits, not just in their physical wellbeing, but also in their behaviour.

Be a Healthy Role Model

By following a sensible, healthy eating plan like Unislim’s Food Maximising Plan, you can be a role model for your kids. And research shows that role modelling does work as childen do mimic their parent’s behaviour.

Think about the active kids that you see around – you know the ones: they cycle everywhere, they’re slim and full of energy. Now look at their parents – chances are that they do the same. You know the saying – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

Start by leaving the car at home on mornings when it’s not raining and walk your kids to school. Cycle together or walk (or even scoot!) to the park and on the weekends.

When the kids come home from school, after the homework, try to build in some activity. Go outside and jump on the trampoline to get your blood pumping and to get warm again. If it’s pouring rain, switch on an exercise DVD – most kids love these and have a great laugh practising the moves!

At the weekends, try to make sure they’re signed up to a sport they enjoy and aim to take a walk or a cycle most weekends as a family, exploring some natural beauty that you live nearby, such as some woods, a river or a cliff walk (but stay safe and wear a high-vis vest if out anywhere after dark!). You’ll all feel better for the effort and, with some more quality time slotted into the diary, your relationships should benefit too!

Find your nearest Unislim class here

Shape Up Your Mind: Top Tips from Dr. Alexandra Diana, Clinical and Counselling Psychologist.

IMPROVING SELF-CONFIDENCE: 
1. Act 'as-if'.

When facing a challenging situation, ask yourself:

ü  Do I feel 100% confident about myself?

ü  How would I behave in this situation?

ü  What would I say?

ü  What would I do?

 Then take a step towards acting in those ways, even if you still don't feel fully confident inside. Moving in the desired direction is likely to give you a boost.

2. Ignore your chatter-box.

Self-undermining thoughts are often messages we have learned from others as we grew up.
When your mind starts giving you negative messages like:
"You can't do it"
"It's never gone right before"

....simply accept this as something that human minds do, then stop paying attention to these thoughts and move towards acting in the way that you think will give you good results.

3. Remember your successes.

Bring to mind challenges that you have overcome in the past, situations that you have faced with confidence. Remind yourself of your strengths intentionally, to counteract feelings of fear and uncertainty that hold you back.

4. Relax your body, calm your mind.

Before significant events or feared situations, anxiety can be felt in your stomach, in neck tension, sweaty palms, etc.
Practice a few minutes of abdominal breathing or some yoga stretches, letting go of the tension in the body and the agitation in the mind.
This will help you approach the situation in a centred, self-assured manner.

5. Accept yourself as you are.

You are only human. No one is fully confident all of the time.
Accept and embrace your limitations, while doing what you can to overcome blocks in your path to greater confidence.