I think it’s really important that we focus on health when it comes to fitness, rather than weight. I think this is especially true with children. When the focus gets put on the weight that can create in the mind a picture of what one should look like. Sometimes that picture is not a very realistic one.
I started thinking about this yesterday when my 13-year-old daughter was playing Wii Fit Plus. I wrote a review about this that you might want to check out: Review of Wii Fit Plus. Well she was done exercising and was doing a body test, something they recommend you do everyday and it indicated a slight increase in her weight. She became alarmed.
Now here is the thing, my daughter is very thin. I don’t think she has an ounce of fat on her but suddenly she became very concerned and decided to ride her bike after already working out on the Wii. We had a discussion about the weight fluctuating up and down and that as long as she stays somewhere around her normal weight, she is fine.
We also talked about the importance of fitness for our health, rather than only thinking about weight. I could see right away that she could become focused on the weight issue and lose sight of the health benefits of fitness.
Whether we are talking about children or adults, I think it’s beneficial for all to look at fitness as a way to get healthy. Sure, along with that many times comes weight loss but let’s face it, there are skinny people who are very unhealthy. Those who brag about the fact that they are thin and never eat right and never have to exercise may be less healthy than someone who is slightly overweight but is at least exercising.
Put the focus on health, not on weight and you will discover the real benefits of fitness.
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