Tag: exercise
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Week
The first week of July is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Week. It is a time when leading organisations aim to highlight the impacts of childhood obesity and request the Government take action to focus on reducing obesity in children, for the health of our nation.
Awareness of childhood obesity and the risks it brings can help parents make better choices for their children. There is a much greater chance that overweight children will become overweight adults, when compared to children who maintain a normal weight throughout adolescence.
Childhood obesity heightens the risk of serious illnesses during childhood and increases the risk of developing long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and several types of cancer.
As a parent there is plenty that you can do to help your child maintain a healthy weight with the support of healthcare professionals and schools. Many teaching institutions now provide an environment where your child can learn about nutrition and health.
Healthy living starts at home and children learn first and foremost from their parents.
Here are some easy ways to assist your child to achieve a healthy weight:
1. Monitor your child’s weight. The ‘red book’ you are given when your baby is born contains useful charts for reviewing your child’s weight, height and development. Always seek professional help if you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s health and development.
2. Encourage your child to exercise and have fun outdoors every day.
3. Feed your child a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit and unprocessed foods. Minimise the amount of packaged food, fresh is best.
4. Enjoy food in moderation and limit sweet treats to special occasions.
5. Have fun teaching your child about nutritious foods and show them how to cook healthy meals so they are prepared to make the best choices in life.
6. Be a role model for your child and encourage physical activity and healthy eating.
If your child is overweight, you can do something about it. The earlier you act the sooner your child will reap the health benefits, both mentally and physically.
Lydia Oliver – Nutritional Advisor Only Best For Baby
This article was published in the July 2013 edition of Mummy and Me Magazine.
I offer one to one nutrition programmes for breastfeeding, post pregnancy weight loss, weaning, weight management and health. Contact me.
Clarks Mara Sand GTX Boots
For over a month I’ve been wearing a pair of Clarks Mara Sand GTX Boots. These gorgeous black leather Gore-tex boots were kindly sent to me by Clarks to review.
As a busy Mum I’m out and about daily with my baby so footwear has to look great, be practical and most importantly offer comfort.
Despite the weather I love walking and enjoying the great outdoors. For exercise and pleasure I walk everywhere in London with my baby in her buggy or toddling alongside me. For several hours each day we pound the pavements and run around the many parks and green spaces.
Clarks Mara Sand GTX Boots are styled on the classic long-leg riding boot. There’s subtle stitching on the boots and a simple buckle strap that can be adjusted at the top of the boots. The leather is soft and has a great shine.
One of the best features of the Clarks Mara Sand GTX Boots is that they’re 100% waterproof and breathable. Made with a Gore-tex membrane they prevent moisture from penetrating whilst letting perspiration out, allowing my feet to breathe and preventing them from overheating.
I’ve found this combination creates the perfect environment for maximum comfort and the right temperature whether I’m walking in a busy shopping mall or outdoors.
Clarks Mara Sand GTX Boots look great with trousers or skirts and can be dressed up or down making them extremely wearable for all occasions. They’re smart, stylish and incredibly comfortable.
Regardless of rain or snow this winter my feet will be kept dry and I’ll be enjoying all the elements. You can find out more about the technology used with Clarks Gore-tex waterproof shoes and boots.
Linking up with the fashion and style bloggers at What I Wore Wednesday.
Healthy Pregnancy Tips
I want to share the things that helped me to enjoy a healthy and happy pregnancy.
These are my top Healthy Pregnancy Tips which I found easy to practice and essential for relaxation and keeping me supple.
Exercise gently everyday
A gentle walk and some Pregnancy Yoga worked wonders for my flexibility and my mood when I was pregnant. I used a Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat. It’s thicker than a standard yoga mat so it gave me extra cushioning which was really needed during the later months of my pregnancy. It has a great non-slip surface so it stayed in place during my yoga workout and stretching.
Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat from John Lewis
Neal’s Yard Organic Mother’s Bath Oil
Relax, don’t stress!
I found little treats worked wonders. I loved having a warm bath using Neal’s Yard Organic Mother’s Bath Oil for deep relaxation, listening to my favourite music and reading the books on my reading list while I still had some time to myself.
Eat healthy, organic foods
As a Nutritional Advisor and Mum I always make the following recommendations for pregnant women.
Look after your back
Being pregnant naturally puts strain on your lower back as your tummy blooms.
- Don’t lift anything heavy.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- I used a maternity support pillow to support my back when I was sleeping or relaxing.
Pelvic floor exercises
These are very important during pregnancy and help to strengthen your pelvic floor so your body can support the weight of your pregnancy. Pelvic floor exercises help to prevent stress incontinence.
If this is your first pregnancy you’re probably wondering what stress incontinence is! I certainly didn’t have a clue until we discussed this in our NCT Antenatal Classes. Stress incontinence occurs when you have weak pelvic floor muscles and can cause leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise.
Here’s a really useful link from the NCT on how to exercise your pelvic floor during and after pregnancy.
Take a Pregnancy Multivitamin
Despite having a healthy diet, as soon as I knew I was pregnant I started taking Vitabiotics Pregnacare Plus Omega 3 and continued to take these throughout my entire pregnancy. These multivitamins plus Omega 3 ensured my baby and I had all the essential nutrients we needed, including the recommended level of 400mcg folic acid.
