July 2003 Newsletter
This Newsletter is published monthly on this website to offer information and motivation to our readers.
Make Martial Arts Part of Your Family Lifestyle
by Joseph Galea
As adults, we are responsible for our lifestyle choices and in many cases, our children’s lifestyle. Whether or not our children get enough exercise and eat healthy foods has a lot to do with the example we set for them and the choices we provide them with.
According to USA Today, the
percentage of children who are overweight has doubled in the last 20
years! But don’t blame the
kids. Keith Ayoob, an associate Professor of
Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine says, " I
never see a child who has better eating habits than his
parents." Children eat the foods that are served to
them or what is easily available at school or
home. Family rules and routines can
compromise exercise and eating habits. An
adult can exercise any time they like, but an
eight - year-old more than likely requires
supervision . Children have obstacles to
overcome when it comes to lifestyle choices.
Success for children begins with success for parents. Families need to begin establishing lifestyle goals together. Leonard Epstein, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Buffalo, says, "Most of the kids who are overweight have at least one overweight parent."
Is martial arts the answer? When you make martial arts training part of your family lifestyle you make a commitment to a healthy mind, body and spirit for you and your children.
Mind: Children, may seek refuge from stressful situations by over-eating. Martial arts teaches students how to deal with stress and maintain self-control and discipline.
Body: Dieting is not recommended for children. While parents should pay attention to food selections and serving sizes and teach their children to do the same, exercise improves health quicker than any thing. When you train in the martial arts, you commit to exercise in class and practice at home. You are saying exercise is important and your children get the message.
Spirit:: Confidence and self-esteem are critical character assets. When children feel good about them selves they are more likely to be successful. Martial arts training provides an environment to develop personal strengths and can help your children and yourself achieve a healthier lifestyle. Families that train together help each other stay motivated and on track to goal achievement. It’s time to take action not only for yourself, but also for your children :they’re counting on you!
action PRINCIPLES
Teach Our Children . . .
By Bill FitzPatrick
• a respect for all life.
• the benefits of hard work and frugality.
• the value of physical fitness and healthy living.
• the merits of military and public service.
• the importance of charity and volunteering.
• a pride in heritage , home and country.
• the advantages of courtesy and manners.
• the power of knowledge.
• the blessings of positive thinking.
• the strength of self-reliance.
• the goodness of man.
Children will only learn from us when we become the example
Martial Arts Success Stories Healthkick:
The Best Diet
What constitutes a good diet?
When Harvard University was researching this concept, they studied more than 100,000 people for eight to twelve years.They determined that people with the “best diet” had a 10 to 20 percent lower risk of major disease and a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of heart disease. We can extrapolate to say that people who consume the “best diet” would be healthier overall. So components of the “best diet” would be good recommendations for everyone.
According to the Harvard University findings, published as the “ Alternate Healthy Eating Index, ”people following the “best diet” consumed the following:
Vegetables: five servings
per day.
Fruit: four servings per day.
Fiber: from cereals, breads, and grains: nine grams per day (men) or seven grams per day (women).
Meat: six times more fish and poultry than beef, pork, or lamb for men; three times more fish and poultry than other meats for women .
Saturated Fat: 30 to 40 percent less saturated fat than polyunsaturated fat.
Trans Fat: no more than two to three grams per day.
Nuts: (or tofu or other soy protein) : one serving per day.
Multivitamin: 45 percent (men) or 27 percent (women) had been taking a multi for more than five years.
Much of this adivce may seem familiar. It is consistent with the recommendations of the American Dietetic Association, National Research Council (RDA’s), etc. What makes these recommendations unique is the identification of the importance of nuts and soy protein , as well as the concept of proportions of foods rather than just absolute amounts (30-40 percentless saturated fat than polyunsaturated; six or three times more fish and poultry than beef, pork, and lamb). So eat your fruits and veggies, focus on fish and poultry, minimize your saturated and trans fats, enjoy some nuts and/or soy protein products, and throw in a multivitamin for good measure.
By Ryan Ruggiero, Age
8
Martial arts instruction has helped me in life ever since I first started my training. That was over three years ago. I listened to my instructor when he said "never give up, keep trying until you understand how to do something." I used what he said and it worked! My instructor is always there in my mind helping me and telling me to never give up. I have become a much better skier, runner and football player as well as a better student. All because I focus my eyes, mind and body on whatever I am doing and never give up.
Ryan Ruggiero is a student at the Pace Institute of Karate in Vernon, NJ Owned by Michael Pace
Children Love
Our Kickin’ Kids 
Summer Program!
Looking for a summertime activity that benefits
your entire family? Then check out our special
Kickin’ Kids Summer Program.
Your child will have a blast punching and kicking
until their heart's content, making friends and
building self-confidence. These days, kids go crazy
for martial arts. And parents, you'll appreciate our
program because we teach lifesaving self-protection
skills in a safe, fun, motivating environment.
We know you can never get enough peace of mind
when it comes to your child's safety. So give our
Kickin’ Kids Summer Program a try. It's the hottest
summer program in town.
Class size is limited, so call now!
American
Self-Defense & Fitness Center
464 Market Street
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Your Source
for Expert Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Fitness Instruction
Call Today: 201-368-9050
This material is used by permission
© 2001-2003 American Self-Defense and Fitness Center - All rights reserved