Back To School Isn’t Just For Kids

Hundreds of children headed back to school this week. Parents spent hours purchasing everything from backpacks, pencil sharpeners to glue sticks. According to West Orange Wellness Coach Cecelia, also known as CC Minton, it's also the perfect time for moms, dads and caregivers to create a healthier lifestyle for the entire family.

Minton's mission is to encourage families to live a healthy lifestyle by focusing on good nutrition and physical activity to improve overall wellness. She uses her own weight-loss journey as inspiration to her clients.

"I just wanted others to feel as wonderful as I do," she said. She went on to explain that "over ten years ago, I was able to lose weight with a nutritional program and completed the Active Lifestyle program, which is a part of the President's Challenge. The PC was started in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and I am honored to be apart of that legacy. I haven't stopped exercising since then, so I realized that both experiences had such a major impact on my life that I couldn't help but share it with others."

Minton stressed not to expect changes overnight.

"People tend to want to see immediate changes, but that is not realistic," she said. "I encourage my clients to make small and slow changes in order for the changes to stick."

Plus, children may not react well to drastic change. As a mom to two sons, Minton knows first hand what it's like to ask children to make a lifestyle change.

"At first, my children refused to eat whole wheat pasta so I decided to mix whole wheat pasta with white pasta. Slowly, I would ease out the white pasta. I did the same with brown rice," she said. "It was a gradual process but now we only eat whole wheat pasta and brown rice." She points out that it can take a while for taste buds to adjust.

She also encourages parents to release some control over their children's eating habits. "I know parents want to be in control, but children also want to be in control. Parents need to realize they can only control so much," said Minton. "I recommend that parents provide a healthy breakfast and dinner to their families. Of course they should pack a healthy lunch, but many times children won't eat what is packed or they will swap with their friends. I tell parents not to worry so much about lunch."

"Everything in moderation" is a motto that Minton encourages everyone to follow.

"I don't believe in deprivation," she said. "You really do have to compromise. It's not realistic to think a child will never indulge in sweets."

When she conducts workshops for children or young adults, she will review the menus at fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds or Wendy's, and help them choose the healthiest items.

"I don't eat at those places very often, but most teens do," she said. "I tell them if they eat there three times a week, they should try to eat as healthy as possible two times a week and have one meal there where they don't pay as much attention." In that way, they are making balanced choices and can still feel good about their decisions.

Exercise and physical activity are critical in a healthy lifestyle. "Children need to play, especially outdoors. When my children were younger, we lived in the Gregory section. They always played with their friends in all the neighbors yards," said Minton.

The family would also walk the track at West Orange High School. She feels children today are over scheduled and over structured.

"There are many other simple ways to get more activity in your everyday life, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking your car in a spot far from the entrance," she said.

Minton is well aware that they are not new suggestions, she said they are worth repeating. "People need to change their mentality," she said. "Making these small changes add up to make a big difference."

She also pointed out that West Orange provides the ideal environment for outdoor activities.

"My family and I have lived in West Orange for 14 years and we love the neighborhood. Tonight, my neighbor and I will walk the hills on Northfield Avenue," she said. "When you walk up a hill, it really gets your heart rate up without the unnecessary stress on the joints from aerobic activities."

With childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes on the rise among young children, Minton is very motivated on educating parents and caregivers on making better choices.

"We need to be good role models for our children," she said. "There isn't a magic pill for health and fitness. Bring healthy foods into the house, get out there and have fun!"

Minton is offering an open house on Oct. 1 where a special guest will speak on a health related topic. To RSVP, e-mail Minton.

Do you have ideas for upcoming columns, know an athletic enthusiast, want to ask a question, or can put me in touch with people who are inspiring or creating a healthier West Orange? Post a comment or e-mail Judie Hurtado. Hurtado is an enthusiastic fitness and wellness expert with years of experience. She blogs about her health and fitness adventures at JudieJuice. Her articles have been published in magazines such as Time Out New York and Park Place.