New Year’s Resolution is Child’s Play!

The New Year is here and it is time to count up the debt and calories we wish we didn’t have, following the holidays.  Every year I hear the same ole’ story: “This year I’m going to lose weight!”.   I made a personal vow not to make promises to myself that I can’t keep.  So I decided to treat myself the same way I would treat my children. 

As a parent, the thought of disappointing them just breaks my heart.  There are times, when I see those long faces, and I just melt.  However, when I make a decision that is for their ultimate benefit, I have to weigh their brief moment of disappointment now with a lifetime of disappointment later. 

It occurred to me over this holiday season, that I take this approach when I feed my children.  Over the last few weeks, I have stocked our home with fresh fruits and vegetables.  I have also put the mandate out to my hubby, “No pudding cups, chips or fruit snacks are allowed in this house.”  On our shopping trips the kids have gotten use to me passing up the chips and snack aisle, they don’t even ask anymore.  Sodas are not a common staple in their diet, they think it’s a drink akin to alcohol, “for adults only”.  (Occasionally they are allowed a clear pop, but on special occasions.)   

Recently, my daughter informed me that her little brother, Nate, snuck three large bananas into her bedroom and ate all of them – “He didn’t even share with anyone else.” 

As much as I wanted to chastise him for sneaking food, I was elated that it was bananas and not Cheez-its.  So we had a stern heart-to-heart and I informed him that sneaking food was, “Not OK”!  The result, he loves eating bananas and both of them think of this magic fruit as a treat!  I had similar results when I allowed both of my little munchkins to help me prepare a large, veggie filled, salad for lunch.  Prior to this culinary adventure, I couldn’t get Nathan to eat any type of lettuce and tomato, afterwards he came back for seconds and thirds.  There was a little bit of pride in him because he had made something that he could eat.  Needless to say, they were full and healthy, and the salad was gone!

I decided to take the same eating approach in my personal life.  I have spent all this time to make sure I keep my kids healthy, but haven’t been treating myself the same way.  So now, in my mind, soda-pop is akin to over-the-counter medication – not to be taken every day for long periods of time.  Also, every day I must have in my diet some sort of food that I can grow in the back yard, and meals that I prepare for myself taste so much better than meals processed by computers.

Yet, the highlight of my holiday season was my Christmas gift!  This year, my husband decided to give me Michael Jackson’s “The Experience” on the Wii game system.  I had “The Experience” at a friend’s house earlier in the year and loved it.  It was the perfect combination of my love for dance (albeit done badly), competition and exercise.  The idea that I could be so distracted by the music and memories of my youth, combined with fabulous graphics and competition with my peers, that I didn’t notice I was exercising – simply put, shear brilliance.

It didn’t take long for me to open it up and give the game a try.  Quickly I had to face a new challenge, fighting with my kids over who will be allowed to play first. Clearly I need a second Wii remote control.  We settled on taking turns and comparing scores.  I would like the world to know I am, hands-down, the best dancer in my house, but my seven-year-old took on the dreaded “Thriller” video – inhuman level – and beat the pants off of my husband and I!  The challenge is on.  There is no way I’m going to be schooled by a second grader!

In all, I feel good about the physical experience – after a good hour of competing, the next day I experience that hated and loved lactic acid burn in my muscles.  You know the burn that cries out - you moved body parts which have been stationary since high school.  

Ultimately, seeing myself as a child, in need of the same care and supervision that is expended on the very little ones I have charge over, just might do the trick.  For now, I will practice what I preach and treat the inside of my body as carefully as my children’s, and take our, “Childs-Play” to the next level.  Like the GREAT Tap Dancer's Sandman Simms to Bo Jangles to Gregory Hines, Ariana you have a CHALLENGE coming you way. 

~ Modern Mommy 

Find Michael Jackson, "The Experience" on Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Experience-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B00434FED2

Walmart
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Michael-Jackson-The-Experience-w-Walmart-Exclusive-Track-Wii-Wii/15409546

Bestbuy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Michael+Jackson%3A+The+Experience+-+Nintendo+Wii/1422218.p?id=1218257757188&skuId=1422218

Gamestop
http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/michael-jackson-the-experience/84317

DISCLAIMER - This blog is in no way affiliated with Michael Jackson The Experience, Nintendo Wii, Cheez-its or any of the retailers listed.  The information in this blog is my opinion only, it does not contain facts regarding the quality or safety of any of the products or the distrbutors of the products listed.  The information contained in this blog is for entertainment purposes only, the associated links are to assist any interested party in researching the product listed.   I, in no way, endorse the services provided, nor guarantee the links will remain active.  You select the links at your own peril.