The holiday season has arrived! And it's a great time to reinforce the work that IDFA has been doing with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) to encourage families to share meals and exercise together all year long, including during the holidays.
The following messages, developed by the HWCF, can be shared with your employees and their families, as well as with your customers. They are a good reminder to all of us to make time for physical activity and family meals during the holiday season.
- Planning meals in advance is a great way to maintain health goals. Start new dinnertime traditions over winter break; let your child plan an evening for extended family.
- Relieve holiday stress by spending time outdoors. Set aside time for physical activity; walk around the neighborhood to look at decorations or build a snow man. If it’s too cold outside, create an obstacle course indoors.
- To assist families as they reach their energy balance goals, the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation developed the Together Counts™ program (www.togethercounts.com). Together Counts™ serves as an online tool that allows families to share success stories and monitor their progress. Families can also exchange helpful holiday tips on www.togethercounts.com.
- What's on your school's wish list? Find out if your child’s school uses the Energy Balance 101 curriculum and learn about the $130,000 in prizes being awarded to Energy Balance 101 schools each year. The Find Your Balance Challenge gives elementary school classrooms the chance to win a grant for their school and the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes allows students, teachers and community leaders to enter to win a $30,000 grant and a playground makeover. Go to www.energybalance101.com for the chance to win.
- Remember to ask if the nurses at your child’s school are using the Energy Balance 101 curriculum to teach healthy habits. These lesson plans can help your child stay healthy during this time of the year by paying attention to their Energy Balance during winter months.
