So what about all those kids who are already obese?

To date, our comments have ONLY addressed the prevention side of the childhood obesity epidemic. But that doesn’t mean we have nothing to say about rehab. It simply means that we have chosen to work on the side where the odds of winning are dramatically better because we prevent the poison from entering the bloodstream.

Once the childhood obesity monster has buried its fangs in the psyche of a boy or a girl, that bastard clings to his life and grows stronger every day, week, month and year. Breaking a bad habit is much more difficult than simply avoiding it in the first place.

We can no longer sit on the sidelines

But since there are millions of children across the country who are already obese, we can no longer stand on the sidelines and remain silent. On the other hand, even the rehabilitation aspect of the problem comes down to eating better and exercising more. And once this grief culprit is fully recognized, the problem can be reduced to one factor … namely, MOTIVATION.

In other words, you can give anyone all the correct information. You can also give them access to the right tools and the right equipment. However, the only thing you cannot give them is willpower. You cannot give them the desire to act. I mean, you can’t want it for them. If they don’t want to solve the problem enough to take the necessary action, the problem is dead on arrival and bound to remain unsolved.

The question is …

So the real question is how do you inspire a child who has already developed all the bad habits and is already suffering from all the problems that accompany obesity? How do you motivate them to abandon old habits that produce weakness in exchange for new habits that produce strength? How do you give them enough confidence to take the first step, the second step, the third step, etc.

The answer is …

In my opinion, the answer to that question is that someone needs to show you how to be successful right away. They need to see themselves growing a little stronger, a little leaner, in every workout, every week, every month, all year long. In other words, if children are expected to invest their own time, effort, and self-image in something, they will expect to see a reward (not monetary), a dividend, a return on their investment of time and effort. And the more frequent the reward, the higher the level of motivation. Count on that.

For example, if someone goes on a diet and loses a pound a day, their motivation will be sky high. If your success drops to one pound / week, motivation drops significantly. But if it comes down to a pound a month, it will be difficult to see any motivating wind in the sails.

Soon …

In short, nothing succeeds like success. And if you can apply that regularly in the lives of children who are already obese, you will at least have a fighting chance to turn the tide and win the war. If not, you are wasting your time, effort, and money.