09/09/2026
PARENTS: OUR KIDS ARE WATCHING US.
This isn’t a post about overweight kids.
It’s about all of our kids.
It’s about teaching them how to take care of the one body they’re going to live in for the rest of their lives.
Childhood is where so many lifelong habits begin—what we eat, how much we move, how we sleep, how we handle stress, and even how we think about our bodies.
And that means we have an incredible opportunity as parents.
Not to put our kids on diets.
Not to make them afraid of food.
Not to make them exercise because they need to “lose weight.”
But to normalize healthy living before unhealthy living becomes normal.
Teach them that protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutritious foods help their bodies grow.
Teach them that treats can be enjoyed without guilt—but they don’t need to be the foundation of their diet.
Teach them to drink water.
Get them outside.
Walk together.
Ride bikes.
Play sports.
Lift appropriately when they’re ready.
Let them see YOU exercising.
Cook with them.
Put the phones down occasionally and move as a family.
And please—don’t make everything about the scale.
A child doesn’t need six-pack abs to be healthy.
They need strong muscles and bones.
A healthy heart.
Good cardiovascular fitness.
Quality sleep.
Confidence in what their body can DO.
And a healthy relationship with food and movement.
The goal isn’t to raise kids who are obsessed with fitness.
The goal is to raise adults who don’t have to spend decades trying to undo the habits they learned as children.
Parents, we don’t have to be perfect.
We don’t have to prepare organic gourmet meals every night.
We don’t have to turn our children into athletes.
But we can create a household where taking care of yourself is simply part of life.
Because someday we’re not going to be standing beside them telling them what to eat or reminding them to get outside.
They’ll make those decisions themselves.
Let’s give them the tools to make good ones.
Start small.
Take the family walk tonight.
Cook one more meal at home this week.
Add a fruit or vegetable to the plate.
Drink more water.
Get everyone to bed a little earlier.
Let your children see you strength train.
And most importantly, talk about health in terms of strength, energy, confidence and longevity—not shame, punishment or appearance.
We have an opportunity to change the trajectory of the next generation.
Healthy kids become healthier adults.
And healthy habits might be one of the greatest things we can ever hand down to our children.
— Michael Cripps
Strength & Longevity Coach | TWFS
