Honoring the Gift of Children

Not Criticizing Body Size & Shape

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Being Physically Active

Honoring the Gift of Children

Not Criticizing Body Size & Shape

• Remind your children & yourself that we don’t criticize a raven for not being an eagle or a rose for not being a fish. We are happy that each is what it is.

• Discuss with your children how the wisdom of animals, the strength of Tribal Community, & the love of supportive parents can teach each of us to be ourselves & not someone else.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Not Criticizing Body Size & Shape While you are making food & activity changes

on your “wellness journey.”

• Don’t criticize your body size & shape & your children are more likely not to criticize theirs.

• Like yourself as you are. If you like & don’t criticize your body, your children are likely not to be critical about themselves.

• The model’s perfect body projected by the media isn’t real. Help your children to understand the media.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Not Criticizing Body Size & Shape

• If you want a healthy body size for your child, healthful food and activity will help them get and keep that body.

• Help your children to find clothes that fit & look good.

• Help your children like their bodies by focusing on the positive.

• Have discussions with your children that weight & appearance are not the most important aspects of their identity & self worth.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Being Physically Active

• Can help achieve & maintain a healthy body weight.

• Can be an organized sport like football, basketball, & martial arts or casual like walking, jogging, Frisbee, swimming, dancing, biking, or skating.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Being Physically Active

• When balanced with food intake can help achieve & maintain a healthy body weight.

• Can relieve stress.

• Improves mood & sense of well being.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Being Physically Active

• Vary activities & get activities suggestions from adults & children.

• Be active outside by walking, biking, or playing active games.

• Downplay competition; no one likes the feeling of being last.

• Replace an unhealthy behavior with a healthy behavior.

• Be active together.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Being Physically Active

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity above the usual work or home activity for adults.

• Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity above usual school or home activity for children.

• Combine shorter activity sessions to get the same benefit as one longer session.

Honoring the Gift of Children

Being Physically Active

• Choose activity requiring no new skill or equipment, such as walking, climbing stairs, or jogging.

• Limit screen time (TV, video games, computer) to two hours or less per day.

• Don’t use TV to reward or punish; it makes TV seem more important.