James Villepigue - Combat Fat for Kids: The Complete Plan for Family Fitness, Nutrition, and Health

Combat Fat for Kids!
Text Copyright 2012 James Villepigue and Jo Brielyn

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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DISCLAIMER
This book does not give legal or medical advice. Always consult your doctor, lawyer, and other professionals. The ideas and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-458-2

Cover Design by Dede Cummings Designs
Interior Design by Dede Cummings Designs
Illustrations by Ariel Delacroix Dax

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E PIDEMIC CHILDHOOD OBESITY IS a health crisis with potentially more disastrous consequences than any other challenge the United States faces at the present time. Despite advances in medical technology and emergency care, the next generation of Americans has a shorter life expectancy than their parents, a troublesome statistic unprecedented in recorded history. Obesity is a risk factor for 40 different illnesses in nine different organ systems including diabetes, hypertension, even asthma and mood disorders.

Parents have long sought a comprehensive yet enjoyable plan of action, one that develops lifelong health priorities and self-control as part of their childrens education. Without good health, their journey into the future may have significant obstacles, impediments that can be avoided only by early intervention. The solution requires proper caloric balance, regular exercise, avoidance of peer-pressure, development of self-confidence, and multiple other important life lessons.

Such a solution is superbly delineated in this excellent book, which is an indispensable addition to every parents library. Mothers and fathers have always been the ideal life-coaches, and their role in treating and preventing obesity cannot be duplicated by any government, insurance, or scholastic program. Combat Fat for Kids, superbly and engagingly written by James Villepigue and Jo Brielyn, belongs in your home. The rewards of better health and a longer lifespan are priceless.

S TUART F ISCHER , M.D., a graduate of Yale University, completed his residency at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, and served as an Attending Physician at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. He also worked with the late Dr. Robert Atkins as the Associate Medical Director of the Atkins Center. His expertise in alternative medicine, nutrition, and weight loss, is complemented by his strong traditional, hospital-based education. He is author of The Park Avenue Diet and The Little Book of Big Medical Emergencies.

H EY, KIDS AND FAMILIES ! Welcome to Combat Fat for Kids! Thanks for letting us come into your homes and lives to shake up things. Todaythis very momentis the time to make a change for the better. We know you agree. Thats the reason you opened this book and why were about to embark on a life-changing journey together!

The state of fitness in our nation has changed over time and the way families view fitness must adjust with it. The health of our children and future generations depends on it. Childhood obesity is a dangerous epidemic that is on the rise in our country. There is a genuine need for adults and kids to learn how to make wiser decisions regarding nutrition and exercise and to implement those solutions into their daily lifestyles. The fact that youve selected Combat Fat for Kids! and are ready to make healthy decisions indicates your awareness that change needs to happen in our country and in your own home.

Let us first state that Combat Fat for Kids! is more than just a book. Often when we read a book, we nod our heads in agreement, remark to ourselves or to someone close by that it was indeed a good book, and then tuck it away on a shelf and forget about it. In this case, however, we encourage you to view this less as a book and more as a plan of action to kick-start and guide your family on your journey toward healthier lifestyles.

Sure, the first time you flip through the pages, we suggest that you read it straight through to the end, as you would a typical book. Many of your questions will be answered and concerns addressed simply by reading the information we have provided for you. It will also help you get a better overall understanding of the obesity issue, how the Combat Fat for Kids! approach works, and how it applies to your own family. However, our challenge to you is to take it a step further once youve read the book, and start to implement changes in your home.

Dont limit your interaction with Combat Fat for Kids! to a one-time reading from beginning to end. Feel free to jump around the book any way you please. If youre struggling with the exercise portion or need to spice up your current routine, read the last chapters first. When you need inspiration for new meals, go straight to the recipes. The content is available any way you need it and is yours for the taking.

Our vision in creating Combat Fat for Kids! is to provide a simple, effective plan and tool that kids and their families can use on an ongoing basis. We understand that your family approach will fluctuate and grow as your kids do. This means that sometimes your needs and concerns will change, or new questions may arise. Keep this book close by and refer to it often.

The Combat Fat for Kids! program has three main principles that lead to its success for children and their families. We selected the acronym FUN to identify them because we believe that fun should be included in every nutritional and exercise program, especially one geared toward families and kids. After all, what kid (or parent) doesnt want to have fun? Fun motivates, keeps excitement alive, and makes eating smart and exercising regularly seem less like work and more like simply the best choice for living life well.

Fitness

Understanding

Nutrition

Fitness: Families will find easy-to-follow instructions and suggestions for incorporating fitness and activity into their daily routines in the fitness portion of this book. The pages of this section are filled with fun and effective activities, from more structured activities and exercises to inventive free play games for kids and their parents to enjoy together.