What a great gift to yourself (and those you love) on Mother’s Day! Actively play with your children.Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who do 150 minutes of weekly activity—including basketball, running, brisk walking, or housework tend to be six pounds lighter than their less active counterparts over a 20 year span.
Remember all those things your Mom told you — stand up straight, get outside in the fresh air and exercise, always wear clean underwear in case you get hit by a bus, don’t mix plaids with print (now considered very chic), be nice to the nerdy guy, eat your vegetables — she really did know best (except for the plaids).
Maybe the best thing you can do, and the best present you can give (for you, your mother, or your kids) this Mother’s Day, is to stick to a healthy lifestyle. This is a great idea whether you’re a mom or not.
Sound boring? Shake it up, and have some fun! Here are some ideas that are good for your weight control and your psyche too. Scheduling it into your routine guarantees a fun time with your children. Who wouldn’t benefit from some time spent on something other than directing homework or chores?
You could:
- dance to your favorite music
- hula hoop
- exercise with your favorite Wii
- play tag or hopscotch
- hike
- play twister
- swim
- jog or walk together
- play charades
- go kayaking or canoeing
- ski
- jump rope together
- go golfing
A special thank you to Sammi, my step daughter for her great playful ideas for this blog and for being you!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Ellen is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco and Redwood City, California. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates the use of mindfulness into the treatment of depression, anxiety, and emotional overeating. She runs a holistic weight loss program called Center for Thoughtful Weight Loss, www.thoughtfulweightloss.com. You can email Ellen at ellen@thoughtfulweightloss.com
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