Rather than rewarding with food, use words, activities, outings, or athletic apparel or equipment.  The gift of time with your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.  Engage with them in an activity that they like, play a game together, or take a walk together.  Kids of all ages, whether they want to admit it or not, value time their parents.

Don’t reward with candy or other sweets.

Reward with words not food:

Great job! You’re terrific!

I like how you made healthy choices today.

I admire how you chose to call a friend when you wanted to eat but weren’t hungry.

It was fun walking/running/biking/playing at the park with you today. 

Reward to promote physical activity with:

a jump rope, a hula hoop, a kite, a baseball & glove, a football, a soccer ball, a basket ball, a badminton set, a Frisbee, a volleyball, pool toys

a yoga or exercise DVD, purchased or checked out from the library

an athletic shirt, shorts, socks or shoes

a book about a sport they like or a sports team or individual athlete

Reward with outings:

to the park, to the movies, a shopping trip to the mall, to the zoo, to see a live performance of a play or a concert, or to an amusement park

to see a live sporting event, a baseball, football, basketball or hockey game

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis