As I’ve established in previous blogs there is such a thing as excessive exercising. In most cases compulsive exercisers start off their regime with the right intentions, but something happens to push their daily workouts into the “danger” category.
Compulsive exercise is especially harmful when it involves children. According to fitness experts, if you recognize two or more warning signs of compulsive exercise in your child, you should contact a doctor to discuss your concerns. Generally a pediatrician will evaluate your child and make recommendations accordingly. Extreme cases may require hospitalization to get a child’s weight back up to a “normal” range, but parents are warned to avoid getting to that point.
You can do so by staying involved in your child’s life and following these tips:
Invite your child into the kitchen to cook with you. Involving kids in preparing meals teaches them nutrition and gives them some sense of control over what they eat.
Exercise as a family. Instead of working on the computer while your child is shooting hoops, get out there and join in on the fun. Or partake in a physical activity as a family such as hiking or biking.
Never criticize a person’s weight or body shape in front of your child. Even if you are trying to make a joke, harsh remarks about weight can leave a lasting impression on a child struggling to accept his or her own body image.
Complete a self-evaluation. Are you putting too much pressure on your child to succeed on the football field, the basketball court or on the track?
Be a good role model. Don’t fixate on your own physical flaws. Doing so just teaches kids that it’s normal to dislike what they see in the mirror.
Offer support. Accentuate your child’s positive points-—ones that have nothing to do with how much they exercise or how great they look physically or how well they excel at their sport. Avoid over praising your children for the amount of ribbons or trophies they have collected and instead focus on how proud you are of how they faced their challenges.
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