Book Review - The Amazing Fitness Adventure

About the Book

Child obesity is an epidemic and it has tripled in the last 30 years.   According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.  This unhealthy weight gain in our children stems from poor nutrition and inactivity.   Many kids would rather play the Wii or Xbox 360 than run around a playground or in their backyard.  There are various initiatives to kick start healthy eating and fitness for kids, but the answer really starts at home - by parents setting an example to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

Phil and Amy Parham, contestants from NBC's The Biggest Loser: Families, season six, offer a solution for parents in their new book, "The Amazing Fitness Adventure For Your Kids" (ISBN: 9780736939218; Harvest House Publishers, September 1, 2011; 240 pages).  The book will show readers how to transform their lives and live their dreams of being a healthy, happy and [CD1] fit family.

Using principles and practices they’ve used successfully in their own family, Phil and Amy equip parents with the tools they need to help their children become healthier and happier. “The Amazing Fitness Adventure for Your Kids” informs parents not only how to raise fit kids, but it also provides a roadmap to the rewards that come from sharing a healthy lifestyle together—stronger and healthier kids and more closely knit families. This book is an inspirational and easy-to-follow guide that teaches parents basic principles to raise fit kids:

• The importance to dream of having a healthy family
• Why it's necessary to monitor our children's health and weight
• Why we must lead the journey as parents
• Simple ways to prepare nutritious meals and snacks
• Creative ways to be physically active as a family
• How to make a healthy lifestyle fun and rewarding

"We believe in the power of families to create a home that is healthy, happy and fit," Phil and Amy said.  We have a heartfelt empathy for families who want to transform their unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles into positive, healthy ones.  We want to walk with them on their journey.  This book is not a diet plan. It is about making a lifestyle change.  Even if you and your children are not overweight and you are fairly healthy, this book is still an excellent tool to maintain those good habits in your home. And for those who need some help, this book will teach you on how to make those better choices."   

The key is to set a good example as parents.   Our children are watching us for guidance in life.  Even when you don't think your children are watching you, know that they are.  They are learning from your behaviors.  We give good advice to our children and warn them of potential dangers for their own benefit.  But if we don't back our words with good actions, our well intended suggestions are meaningless.  

There are several simple steps parents can take to lead your family into the healthy direction.  Most experts in the health and medical fields suggest that doing these things will help build a healthy lifestyle.  These include:  

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Spend less time watching television
• If you choose to drink alcohol, drink responsibly
• Don't smoke or use any tobacco products
• Read
• Wear a seat belt
• Deal with stress appropriately
• Maintain close relationships with your spouse, your family and friends
• Make a difference in the lives of others.  

Your children need to know that you love and support them in every area, including the journey to become healthy.  By teaming together as a family, the journey may be a bit easier. 

Amy and her husband Phil Parham, starred on Season Six of NBC’s primetime hit “The Biggest Loser."  Over a seven-month period in 2008, they lost more than 256 pounds together, bringing Phil down to a trim 180 pounds and Amy to a stunning 124 pounds.   To this day, they recorded the highest percentage weight loss of any couple in the program’s history.   Married for over 20 years, Phil and Amy live in South Carolina with their three sons.  This is Phil and Amy's second book together. Their first book, "The 90 Day Fitness Challenge" was published in 2009.   Amy's second book, "10 Lessons from a Former Fat Girl" was released in January 2011.

My Take on the Book
With the issue of obesity being an issue that continues to get worse in the United States this book shares a ton of ideas and takes on the challenge of providing parents and families with needed support and ideas about how best to get their kids active and moving back toward a healthy lifestyle. What was nice about this book was the great examples and real life scenarios that were presented in the book. Also the fact that the writers of this book were once in the shoes of other parents with kids that were living unhealthy lifestyles
 and they had the opportunity to turn the lives of their entire family around and are now sharing their experiences with others! This was a great book that was easy to read and understand with principles that would be easy to implement in any home!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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