Wow! Can you believe it’s Fall already?! When I think of the fall, I think of The World Series, Football, beautiful foliage and pulling my leather jacket out of storage. I also think curling up in a comfy chair with a blanket and hot chocolate.

The last one – the one on the chair, is the dangerous part! Too much time inside puts you in danger of weight gain. So what can you and your kids do to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you are inside more often? Here’s a few ideas:

1. First you can exercise. Visit our website, www.mykidsbfit.com for some workout ideas.

2. Exercise in front of the TV. Riding a stationary bike or a stretching regimen are great ways to burn calories while watching “The Tube”.

3. Don’t snack your day away! Remember you need to take in fewer calories than you burn per day to maintain a healthy weight.

4. If you do snack, snack well with healthy snacks.

5. Bundle up and take a walk. It’s nice if you have a friend to walk with. I love the sound of crunching leaves under my feet!

6. Speaking of leaves, rake ‘em!! The repetitive motion of raking is a workout! Every 10 minutes or so, switch arms so that you are pulling the leaves with opposite muscle groups. Quicken the pace and you will really work up a sweat!

Once back inside, if you need a snack, here are a few healthy ideas.:

· Air popped popcorn is a good healthy snack – but bland. Spice it up a bit by sprinkling some grated cheese and cayenne pepper on top.

· Frozen yogurt pops are a great treat for kids. Put low-fat yogurt into Dixie cups and cover with plastic wrap. Insert a popsicle stick into the top and place in freezer until solid.

· Fruit kabobs are a fun snack that can be ready for your kids when they get home from school. When they are already made and ready to grab, the kids will eat them and love them!

Talk to you next week!

-Diana