If you have kids, you know how convenient it is to send them to fetch things. Get me the remote, bring me some socks, go turn off the kitchen timer, etc. This is especially true if you are significantly overweight. It takes a LOT of energy just to stand, climb stairs, or simply bend over. It’s much easier for the kids to take care of it.
I didn’t realize how often I made them take care of the little things for me. Now I look at each little thing as a mini-fat burning session. Every time you have to bend over or squat down to pick something up it burns calories and builds muscle.
But you have to be in the right mindset to change this habit. I keep a mental picture of the severely overweight people riding around on chairs in the movie Wall-E. I picture myself turning into that if I don’t get my behind up and take care of the issue myself. Try it, it works.
*Note: This applies to your spouse as well as your kids.
True... use it or lose it! Stop moving willingly, and your body will give into that and stop moving all together! You're right, a lot easier to get the kids to do stuff, but we're not doing ourselves a favor... nor the kids. I also constantly think that I do not want to be a burden on them when I get older... and I don't want to be a burden on them now either. If they're constantly having to stop playing or something to fetch for me, well then... I'm not being the best mom I can be. (Not to say I won't ever ask for anything, etc. still) Good post! :)
ReplyDelete