eat well-balanced proper nutrition

Times Do Change

As a parent have you ever heard your grandmother or grandfather say to you, “Why when I was a kid, I walked to school every day, all year, in the rain, blizzards, and hot sun and it did not kill me?”

Walking or biking to school is excellent exercise and good for the kids to do at least once in a while.

This October 4th is not a new idea. This idea formed over 20 years ago with the sole purpose of celebrating health and the benefits of walking or biking to and from school for individual students. Instead of using a vehicle to and from school, students are given a chance to participate in active transportation to and from school on this day anually.

At any rate, October 4, 2017, is now set aside internationally, yes internationally, as a day where children are encouraged to walk or bike to school. This event is recognized globally by over 40 countries including the United States and Canada. Check with your school to see what events and surprises your school planned for October 4th.

So parents, if you do not trust the world we live in, and with good reason, maybe you can fulfill this day by walking or biking along with your child to school. If your school has individual plans, you will not want to miss the excitement with your family in attendance.

After all, this event is set in place for some reasons, such as,

Good exercise
Parents get outside with their children and teach children about pedestrian and bicycle safety
Reduces the amount of cars on the road and at schools
Helps to bond families, children, the community, and the school together
Preserves the environment
Enhances healthy lifestyles

It is a proven fact that children who walk or ride a bike to school and are physically active before the bell rings for classes are better prepared for class, they perform better in class, behaviors improve, and attention is improved.

Jump On Board and Enjoy This Special Day

Some schools plan to have students register for this event and inform parents, students, and the community through banners, flyers, information sent home, and in local newspapers.

There are many different things various schools do such as planning photo shoots with students, parents, and school staff.
Some dedicate the whole day to fitness and wellness. Schools may host bar-b-ques, picnics, or potlucks promoting nutritious food choices.

Some schools designate the whole month of October with weekly activities set aside

Thousands of school districts report that every year, there is an ever-growing interest and participation on October 4th by parents and children from a 20-year-old idea, made possible by school principals, physical education instructors, and teachers gladly promoting this event every year.

How do Communities Participate?

Children travel to and from school in groups or with parents
Choosing safe routes to and from school
Walking or biking on designated crosswalks
Utilizing crossing guards
Walking or biking on streets where speeds set lower
Walking or biking on sidewalks where there is less busy traffic
Instituting frequent information to the community so people who are diving can be made aware of the importance of October 4th and be ever-mindful of more children walking or riding bikes on that day

Set October 4th aside on your calendar to get outside with your child and get some fantastic exercise in the crisp and lovely fall colors. October 4th is the day you leave your car at home and walk or bike to school with a family.

Image is from Luvo

Every month is a good month to expound on the benefits of physical fitness and sports. However, May is set aside as the one month, out of 12 where the focus is high in the areas of physical fitness and sports. Start getting physically fit in May.

What is Physical Fitness?

Physical fitness is good for everyone from babies to seniors. All ages realize that physical activity is great for the body. To be physically active means adding years to your life. May is the best time to spread the good news about the benefits of physical fitness and the sports arena. You must be physically fit to play sports. If your activity level is at an all-time low, May is the month to make some changes.

Listed are a few of examples of how physical activity can impact your life.
Be creative and find fun interests to help you become more active.
If you are a child or teenager, increase your physical activity because this improves your bone, muscle, and heart health.
If you are an adult becoming more physical means that you are going to lower your risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
If you are a senior becoming more active means you reduce your risk for falls, you improve your cognition, improve your judgment and reactions

Ways to Become More Physically Active

Take a walk
Go for a bicycle ride
Go for a run
Play a round of golf
Play a game of tennis
Follow a favorite exercise video
Join an exercise class
Jump on the treadmill

How do you Maintain Physical Well-being?

Accomplish peak health and wellness by getting sufficient rest at night, by eating healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks every day, exercise, good hygiene, annual checkups, avoid smoking, drug, and alcohol abuse.

Arrive at the Peak of Physical Fitness starting in May

Physical fitness means you eat well-balanced proper nutrition. You participate in physical exercise according to your abilities, and you realize adequate restful sleep every night. You may only need six hours of restful sleep.

Physical fitness is also your ability in many different areas such as, tasks that do not create undue fatigue, your heart and circulatory endurance, your muscle strength and endurance, your body’s flexibility.

Benefits of Physical Fitness

If you are physically fit in all areas you increase your body’s ability to live a longer and fuller life. Your physical and mental capabilities are excellent and you have less risk for disease processes to set into your body.

When you are physically fit you realize an ideal body weight range, which is important for longevity. Did you know that if you are over 30 pounds your ideal body weight range you are considered obese? One pound over these 30 pounds and you become morbidly obese.

If you are physically fit you move your body easier and realize better agility, you have quicker responses and reflexes, you realize better coordination, your balance improves, you run your race faster, enjoy life more, and live longer.

Muscle strength, respiratory fitness, and overall endurance equal a physically fit body that is ready for living life to the fullest.

Spread the Word in May

The National Physical Fitness and Sports Month say to encourage those around you to be more active. Speak to your children’s teachers to initiate physical activity every day in your child’s class.

You can help spread the word by initiating a newsletter to the community about physical fitness. Research family fitness activities and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors join in on the fun.

October 4th Is Walk And Bike To School Day