Sweatin’ to the cold, hard facts with Richard Simmons

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Only about 7% of Canada's kids get enough exercise.

And as a result, Canada's childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past three decades.

When did we become so inactive?

Excuses aside, we have become a nation that promotes inactivity. Not directly, but with video games, must-see TV, blockbuster movies, and a work system that requires hours at the office, we are breeding children to be inactive.

So this week I went straight to the source when it comes to finding out how to fix the inactivity crisis: Richard Simmons.

After all, Richard Simmons has gone in front of Congress several times lobbying for better physical education. According to Simmons, “The longer this takes, the unhealthier our kids become.”

I asked Richard, where do we start? “The first thing that has to happen is parents have to be more involved in their children’s health. We can’t leave this to the government and schools to fix this, it has to start at home. Home is where the food is.”

Simmons is right, it’s time for us as a nation to stop waiting for someone else to fix this problem, it has become more than just a small population base that is suffering from obesity and inactivity. It has gotten to the point where there can no longer be excuses; fitness and health need to be a priority in each and every home. That’s how we will build this, and every other city into One Fit City.

Once we get rid of the excuses, we will be able to move forward. That forward motion, fixing the problems with childhood inactivity and obesity, starts with parents.

“Adults have to be good examples,” Simmons says. “If kids see their parents eating fatty processed foods they will do the same. You will not see children conquer the weight problems unless the parents do it too. Our children do not need mixed messages.”

This is no longer going to be parents telling their kids to change. We learn best by example. Parents cannot put their kids in sports, force them into gym class, demand they eat healthy if it is on the child only. We all need to give kids the best examples. It takes a village to raise a child. That village needs to eat good food, and look to offer chances for fitness.

My background is high-performance sports, including training pro fighters. I take those bases and incorporate them into everything I do.

Richard takes it one step further. “Some kids get into sports, most don’t. That is why a good class involving a cardio warm-up, toning and cool down is what kids need to do, and it must be done to music. It must be non-competitive and include all kids. What I have learned is kids love to dance!”

Sports can be one of the best tools to motivate, but with an inactive population we have to review our approach. We are really at a point where we have to reteach movement, and instill a passion for play. After having seen Richard get kids moving I will say this, his approach works. Not too mention the countless lives changed by his Sweating to the Oldies system. Old and young, we all love to have fun.

The final problem we face with this inactivity crisis is linked to food. What we eat is slowing us down. We no longer seem to look to fuel our bodies, instead we eat to end cravings and “feel” good. Food is here to be enjoyed, but at the same time fuel us for activity, and daily life.

Simmons agrees. “Nutrition plays a big part. Healthy eating gives a child energy. When a child is energetic they want to move. This education must start in the home too. The majority of schools can’t afford a nutritious meal program, so it must start in the home.”

Words of wisdom from a fitness icon who has spent his adult life making lives better with fitness and healthy eating.

As a community, we can fix this problem. We need to get back to fun, play, and movement for the sake of being active. And it starts with you. Getting moving and get inspiring your neighbours — that’s how we will build www.onefitcity.com.

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