On My Radar As a self-diagnosed social media and blog junkie, I’m constantly finding content online that I love to share with others. Here is my compilation of some trending fitness, sport, kids, and education topics that I’ve been loving lately! 1. The Cross Fit Open Right now is CrossFit Open season; The Open is a series of workouts spanning over five weeks in which anyone in the world can participate! The goal is “to find the fittest on earth,” and I’m not vying for that title, so for me, it’s a fun and empowering way to challenge myself to do workouts at an intensity and level that I don’t usually do! I registered this year- it cost just $20- and have been completing the workouts as they are released each week. One of my favorite parts of being in on The Open action is keeping up with the media- videos, memes, and more- that is posted in relation to each workout. Maybe it’s something that only CrossFitters completing the WODs can relate to, but I’ve loved the inspiring stories of unexpected athletes competing, and hopefully you will too! 2. SI Kids Website As a teacher-turned-sport management student, I love when my worlds and interests collide. SI Kids is a great website offering current sport event news that is age- and content- appropriate for all ages. I’m all for magazine subscriptions, and most of the content on the website is also featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids, but I love the accessibility of the site. The articles are free, which is a bonus for non-subscribers. I especially enjoyed these articles that are written by “kid reporters,” and the magazine is actually accepting applications now for new kid reporters for the future! 3. Aerie’s Campaign for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week This past week was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Aerie, the sub-brand of American Eagle Outfitters, is known for its including of models of all sizes and does not retouch photos of models featured in their ads. Aerie teamed up with the National Eating Disorder Association to lead an inspiring campaign encouraging body positivity. Aerie featured a special t-shirt reading “Strong, Beautiful You,” and all profits from the sale of that particular shirt were donated to the NEDA. 4. Eating Disorder Screenings The university that I work at and attend featured several discussions and sessions for NEDA Week, and the counseling center was also administering free eating disorder screenings. While I don’t think that I’m affected by a disorder, I did the screening just to see and to promote the theme of the week: “It’s time to talk about it.” Eating disorders affect approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States. The mission of the NEDA is to support individuals and families in recovery from these mental and physical illnesses. You can take a free screening online here . 5. Run, Selfie, Repeat Sticking with the theme of loving your body, I’ve been an avid follower of Kelly Roberts’ Run, Selfie, Repeat blog since I started running a few years ago. With a (disclaimer: sometimes crude) sense of humor and spunky attitude, Kelly shines the light on the realties and struggles of running and loving your body. Right now, the blogger is training to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and she posts frequent updates via podcast about her “BQ or Bust” journey.

I don’t like losing. I mean, no one likes losing, but I find it a particularly hard pill to swallow. I always have. Do you know how every person has that one story about themselves that is told so frequently that it becomes a part of the family myth? You know the one. The story that is told to your close friends, to the first real boyfriend you bring home, even retold to your children. Mine is about losing at Candy Land. One infamous night in the late eighties my family gathered around our kitchen table for a spirited game night. Most likely I chose the red gingerbread and set my sights firmly on Candy Castle by way of Gumdrop pass. But that fateful night I did not emerge victorious. I lost, and then I proceeded to throw that board game across the room, launching Lord Licorice and Princess Lolly through the air, and landing myself in timeout with a very stern talk about “gracious losers” on the horizon. I remember that night pretty distinctly, not only because I have heard the retelling more times than I wish to count, but also because I truly remember the pain (and embarrassment) I felt when I realized I was not going to win. As a parent I have a newfound perspective and appreciation for the situation. First of all, it is not easy to see your children lose. It’s not really ease to see anyone lose. Have you seen the closeups of professional athletes when they don’t win, on their knees, hands covering their faces for all the world to see? It’s brutal. There’s something about grown men in uniforms crying that makes me weep. Want to add more emotion? Turn those grown men into sweet, hopeful, and vulnerable children who really, really want to win the big game, and just keep the Kleenex coming. But guess what? The losing doesn’t stop. We lose games, contests, friendships, family members. It’s a lesson we need to learn because life is going to be full of losing, even for those lucky few who seem to catch all the breaks. Chances are, we will lose more than we will win in this game of life. It sounds harsh, I know, but it’s true. So, let’s lose around people we love who won’t disown us when we throw board games and who will know just what to say when being a runner up feels like just about the worst thing ever . My Dad didn’t let me win. Not that night in Candy Land when an impending meltdown was probably very apparent to him, not ever. My Mom thought he should. Sometimes I wish he had. But now, I am so glad he didn’t. To be completely candid, I’m pretty sure I inherited my competitive streak from my Dad, so I’m not sure if he was motivated by good parenting or simply didn’t want to lose himself, but nevertheless I am glad he gave me lots of practice losing. He let me sulk (momentarily), and then he challenged me to a rematch. In another life I was a teacher and coach, and I saw many parents try very hard to shield their children from disappointment, to try to avoid losing. At the time, childless myself, I underestimated the primal instinct to protect and certainly didn’t understand the secondhand pain of watching a person you created suffer disappointment, but I also witnessed the entitlement and the complete unpreparedness for life that comes with not learning how to lose and lose graciously. My daughter, a spirited and dare I say competitive four-year-old, played in her first soccer league this past summer. I was taken aback by how hard it was for me to watch her falter and sometimes fall. For now, I think it’s still harder for me when she “loses” because she didn’t seem to care much about the eight unanswered points scored against her team as long as she had some “good snacks” for which to look forward at halftime. But I have a feeling she will have her own Candy Land moment at some point, and I can only hope when that day arrives that I will have the grace and patience to let her lose and then help her pick up the pieces.

As parents, we are thankful for a digital age in which we can simply Google search dinner recipes, easy crafts, and advice. That is why we have compiled a list of 5 parenting blogs/websites that we have found useful in being awesome Ninja parents. Check them out! 1. Dirt & Boogers 2. Bounceback Parenting 3. Scary Mommy 4. Lucie’s List 5. Mama Smiles

In the last installment of the Ninja Zone Blog, I talked a little about motivating boys. How they are encouraged deeply affects how they learn. But what about girls? How girls learn and are motivated vary drastically from boys. According to studies, what seems to be apparent in the learning styles of kids is that young kids (preschool through 2nd grade) have such different ways of being motivated, it is affecting how their teachers approach their learning abilities. How? Check it out. Girls need encouragement. They need to be built up. Girls will beat themselves up over a poor grade, where boys will be thrilled with a C performance. This carries over to all other facets of life. In an extracurricular setting, studies show that girls learn better after they are given appropriate encouragement by a coach or mentor. Girls aim to please. Girls are more motivated than boys to impress their coaches and teachers. Girls are interested in a story. They like to have a reason as to why they are engaging in an activity. They are motivated by knowledge and feeling more in control of their learning situations. Girls like to ask questions. Getting a clear answer motivates them. Girls tend to be self-motivated. Allow them to play to their strengths so they can develop the confidence they need to succeed.

Motherhood is not easy, and sometimes a good mommy pick-me-up is needed.  So, here is some advice from four amazing moms who’ve paid their dues. Jeanna Mother of an 18-year-old, 20-year-old, 23-year-old, and a 25-year-old. “Make them eat what you serve, no making special dinners unless it’s a special occasion.  Love them unconditionally even when they mess up, but make them clean up the mess and be there for moral support.  Make them EARN things and don’t just give them things. Just because their friends are getting certain things, doesn’t mean they should get it too. Last, love them with all of your heart and soul and they’ll go out and love everyone with their heart and soul as well!” Tonya Mother of a 19-year-old, 23-year-old, 25-year-old and a 27-year-old. “Some of the best times of my life were when my children were young. Try to enjoy and appreciate all of it, even when you are tired and exhausted. It truly goes by so fast. One big thing that I learned from being a mother was to try to discipline without anger.  It only causes a never ending anger domino effect, and in the long run will make things worse.” Veronica Mother of an 18-year-old, 21-year-old, and a 24-year-old. “Advice? Don’t have kids! Kidding! Motherhood has been a blessing to my life. I would have to say, feed them healthy from a young age. If they don’t like a certain vegetable, slowly introduce it to them. Sooner or later they’ll learn to like it. Start as early as possible, or you may be stuck making mac and cheese every night for 18 years… Trust me!” Amy Mother of a 24-year-old girl. “Live in the moment and enjoy every second of it.  People seem to fear the unknown, so in retrospect, I allowed fear to take over being a new mom.  I was young and instead of relishing in every moment, I was petrified. Worries like: what if she got hurt, how could I protect her or what if I am a horrible mom? Looking back after 20+ years, I wish I translated that fear into joy.  Fear is okay in moderation, but it wasn’t any way to kick off the beautiful gift of life.  Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.  Live in the moment, capture it all in your heart before it becomes history.  Allow yourself to relax and imprint those memories in your heart. It goes by faster than you’ll ever know until you experience it for yourself. ” Okay Ninja Moms, your turn. What is the best advice you’ve received or given to someone else? Comment below to share your mommy wisdom with others! #NinjaModeOn

We all know someone whose kid does ballet, soccer, basketball, softball, or swimming, but what if your child doesn’t like any of the mainstream sport options? There are plenty of sports that will help your little one get all the physical activity s/he needs without getting lost in the crowd. Here are a few options: 1. Equestrian Riding horses requires huge amounts of balance and coordination, but riders also develop great reflexes. What most parents forget, though, is that equestrian also comes with a great deal of responsibility for the rider. The athlete is required to groom, feed, saddle, brush, and care for the horse and stable. While it is considered an individual sport, athletes often develop a sense of community with each other. 2. Bowling Bowling obviously builds a lot of strength in the athlete, as well as hand-eye coordination. There is a large sense of community among bowlers within a league, and many high schools across the country are adopting the sport. While bowling is a sport, it requires a lot of mental energy and focus, and it teaches math skills. 3. Archery One major attraction to archery for a lot of families is its versatility in being both an indoor and outdoor sport. This is perfect no matter where in the world you live! Athletes build a variety of muscles as well as skills in focus, self-determination, and coordination. 4. Water Sports All water sports require balance and coordination, but each sport differs in certain ways. For example, rowing provides a whole body workout and teaches teamwork. When your athlete is sailing a boat, s/he must learn communication skills to keep the boat afloat. Keep in mind: your child’s participation in water sports depends on your geographical location. 5. Fencing Fencing emphasizes agility, coordination, and use of reflexes. Many call it as mentally stimulating as a game of chess, so you know your child is getting a brain and body workout. Plus, you’re giving your kid a sword-like object to use in a controlled environment; that’s bound to make someone happy! 6. Rugby While rugby is more popular on different continents around the world, it is just gaining popularity in North America. While rugby obviously builds strength, it also enhances endurance and coordination, not to mention teamwork. Like bowling, many schools are adding rugby as an athletic option. 7. Golf Your child could be the next Jordan Spieth, but you won’t know until you sign him/her up for classes. Golf requires immense amounts of coordination, patience, focus, and strength. Bonus exercise if you ban riding in the golf cart and have your kid walk all 9-18 holes!

Are your kids suffering from the after-school munchies? Here are 3 tasty snacks for kids! Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites 1 cup of dry oatmeal 1/2 cup of ground flax seeds 1/2 cup of peanut butter (or almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.) 1/3 cup of agave nectar (can be substituted with honey or maple syrup) 1/3 cup of chocolate chips Check out some other energy-bite recipes here! After you have chosen your energy bite variation simply mix all the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Once mixed, place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then, take the mix out and begin rolling into small bite-sized balls. The recipe should yield 16-18 energy bites! Coconut Oil Popcorn 2 tablespoons of coconut oil ¼ cup of unpopped  popcorn Sea salt to taste Place popcorn and oil in a 3-quart pot over medium heat. You may want to cover them with a lid so that popcorn doesn’t fly everywhere! Shake the pot as the popcorn begins popping. This will help stop the popped corn from burning while the rest of the kernels cook. Listen for the pops when the popping begins to slow. Wait until there are about 5 seconds between pops before taking off the heat. Season with sea salt for taste and enjoy! Roasted Chickpeas 12 oz. chickpeas 2 tablespoons of olive oil Salt to taste (optional) Cayenne pepper (optional) Garlic salt (optional) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry them. In a large bowl toss together the olive oil the chickpeas. You can also add in some other spices depending on the taste you are going for! Spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until browned and crunchy! Roasted chickpeas? Yes, please! Go and try these awesome snacks for your children!

Does coaching stress you out? Do you see routines in your dreams? Maybe even grit your teeth, and tear up every now and then? Do you feel like your efforts aren’t noticed, recognized, appreciated, or trusted? Feeling like you care more than they do? Feeling like if they just believed you, just did what you said, or just freeeeakkkinnnngggg listened, everyone would be so much happier? I feel your pain, and I have two pieces of advice. Be freaking proud of yourself. You’re doing a whole lot right when coaching. All of the yucky stuff you’re feeling is you’re big heart and passion. The parents, kids, and club owners are lucky to have you. Heck, the world is lucky to have you. Seriously. People that really care about stuff are hard to come by. Passionate people are hard to come by. That competitive spirit is a gift, be grateful. Breathe deep and think hard about what you’re really working so hard for. Coaching is leadership in the ultimate form. If you don’t consider yourself a leader, that’s the 1st place to start. You’re a huge part of building young humans into who they become. You’re the one that is showing them it’s okay to move out of a comfort zone, to sacrifice, to give more effort than the norm, to work through the pain, and to be a leader in their own right. As a leader, to do these things well, you have to have a clear mind and empathy to see that their goals may not be your goals for them. And that has to be okay. Rather than walking into practice with the coaching attitude of what you’re going to “get them to do,” try walking in with the attitude of “what can I be for them today”. Smile more. Praise more.  Be the coach that you would want to have then, and now. Set your goals for yourself as a leader, be patient, and be amazed at what they’ll do.

This piece was generously contributed by Diane Trifiro of Ohio Sports Academy. My name is Diane Trifiro and my husband and I own Ohio Sports Academy (formerly known as Hand to Hand) in Springboro, OH. When our son David, joined Hand 2 Hand in 1997 as a seven-year-old, it never ever entered my mind that one day we would own the gym that became a second home to him. David tried soccer and baseball but neither of those sports seemed a good fit for him, so when it was time to sign up for fall soccer we explored other options and since he was very flexible, gymnastics seemed a good fit for him. We tried one gym and we loved it there, but practice for team ended later than his bedtime so we had to look for other options. A new gym in our town had just opened and it offered a sport that we had never heard of before – trampoline and tumbling – and it was at that new gym that David found his home away from home, one of his first jobs and a goal to one day to own the gym. Fast forward to 2010 and the gym came up for sale – David was only 23 and unable to buy the gym, but my husband and I could, so we did! This summer makes our seven year anniversary as gym owners and even more exciting for us – our very last payment on our loan will be made in September! Our gym had good bones when we bought it and had an average monthly enrollment of about 500 kids. Seven years later we have grown to service almost 1000 kids each month.  We are expecting to enroll over 1100 kids for the very first time in January 2018. Some of the things that have allowed us to grow include moving to true month to month enrollment, the addition of NinjaZone in May of 2015, the ability to hire and retain staff members, and always treating our customers the way we would like to be treated. 1. The biggest change came for us in the spring of 2015. That spring we became a first adopter of NinjaZone (one of the first 25 gyms in the country to have NZ) AND we also went to true month to month enrollment. I cannot overstate the significance of that! We used to lose up to 35% of our kids in the summer because we dropped them at the end of May and parents had to enroll them for the summer and the same thing happened at the end of August. We were telling our families that our services were not a year-round commitment – what were we thinking?? This summer we only experienced a drop in enrollment of 7% from our peak month to August, which is normally our slowest month.  If you have not made the switch to month to month enrollment, I highly encourage you to do so – our results speak for themselves. 2. This increase in the summer enrollment has in turn greatly increased our revenue and our profit. That helped us do some things for our staff that were not possible before. We now are able to pay them for gym holidays. Our gym closes for Easter Sunday, Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving and a week to a week and a half during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. All of that time off is paid time off for our employees. They love having the time off and we love being able to pay them for that time off. In 2016, we were able to offer our employees who work more than 25 hours paid health insurance. In 2018 we will offer a paid retirement account for employees. 3. While the above two items were important in our growth, I think the most important thing we do is to treat our customers the way we would want to be treated as a customer. Our gym had policies that were just not very parent-friendly when we bought it. There was a 10 day written notice to drop a class and if it was not followed there was a penalty to be paid. We dropped that requirement – we ask that parents let us know before the end of the month that they are dropping – easy for them and easy for us – but we also know that parents are super busy and sometimes forget to let us know. So if they call us the first week of the month that they want to drop the class – we refund their money. Do we like to do that? No. But we think the goodwill that is given by not making a big deal about it goes a long way in that busy parent’s mind. We know that many of our families drop for a short period of time and come back and we don’t want to burn bridges by penalizing them for forgetting to make a phone call. 4. When a child comes in for a trial class, we walk them into the locker room to show them where to put their personal items and then walk them out to the floor and find a friend for them to buddy up with during warmups and class for that night. Makeup classes or open gyms are offered for missed classes. We appreciate the money that parents spend in our gym and want them to feel they are getting good value for their money. My husband and I plan to sell the gym to David and his wife in the summer of 2021, when we retire. My husband and I feel good about leaving them in a great position to be successful and can’t wait to see where they take the gym in the future! P.S. When I read this to David he said there is a mistake in the last paragraph – he suggested I change “sell” the gym to “GIVE” the gym to David and his wife. What a jokester!

A Response to “Can American Ninja Warrior Save Men’s Gymnastics?” A couple of months ago, a piece was written and then published on Deadspin entitled “Can American Ninja Warrior Save Men’s Gymnastics?” This is, NinjaZone CEO and Founder, Casey Wright’s response. I’m Casey Wright, founder of the NinjaZone. I’m super sorry we were out of fidget spinners. Those fidget spinners were fun, but actually, represent a big reason why NinjaZone has had such an impact on the amount of new little boys entering our country’s gymnastics gyms – and it has nothing to do with traditional boys gymnastics programs. Here at NinjaZone, we have over 250 gymnastics, cheer, and dance clubs that have adopted our program, each with an average of 250 Ninjas per club per year. That’s LOTS of little boys. It’s lots of little Ninjas. But why? The problem with building up boys At large, the needs of little boys are not being met. They’re not being met at school, at home, and now not even in sports. Parents and coaches alike have become so regimented in competition, training, scores, and keeping up with their neighbors’ kids, that they’ve forgotten to take a good look at what a little guy needs. According to studies, boys’ brains simply function differently than girls meaning that movement, confidence, and ultimately, success are interconnected. A little boy needs that fidget spinner because the chemistry of his brain simply demands it — and as a society, we aren’t giving boys enough time to…well, fidget. From my experience as a coach and a mother, I’ve seen firsthand the results of the feminization of education and gymnastics. Get a group of six-year-olds together and  I can pretty much guarantee that the boys are more likely to be the ones bouncing off the walls. They’re also the ones that are more likely to be put on medicine for hyperactivity, more likely not to pass the standardized test, and more likely to end up on a couch playing video games when they’re 14 because they’ve been burned out of sports due to crappy volunteer coaches and the complete lack of progressional teaching systems. But they aren’t the problem. We are. They want to bounce off the walls. So, let them. We have to build up boys starting with what they want. Movement sports are the foundation of the future Whether it be NinjaSport, Ninja Warrior, Parkour, Tricking, or any other “movement sport,” everyone should get over the territorialism and embrace the fact that we can help our nation’s children and the grassroots of ALL sports, and overall health and fitness, by simply by meeting the needs of our children. That was the intention when I painted the vision for NinjaZone & Ninja Sport. I’m a gymnastics industry veteran through and through, and I see how beneficial the “fundamentals” of the sport are to all movement. For 20 years, I thought I was teaching flips and twists, and driving towards titles and scholarships. What I was actually doing as a gymnastics coach was building confidence. Gymnastics teaches kids, from a very early age, that it’s okay to do things out of your comfort zone. My gymnastics gym was 95% girls. Our country’s boys just aren’t getting that same encouragement…especially now, when they need it the most! Parkour has done an amazing thing by bringing back the “discovery” of movement in the way it has. Funny thing, my 68-year-old-former-gymnast father watched a parkour video and immediately recognized a “cool move” as a standard gymnastics vault. He also commented that he used to jump from rooftop to rooftop in the city as a kid. Parkour is gymnastics at its roots. What Parkour showed me was that guys thought it was cool to flip. It also showed me that discovering your own body is a whole heck of a lot more fun than being critiqued every two seconds by a coach. Five-year-olds don’t follow fads and trends I’m sure it’s easy to assume that the NinjaZone was simply a smart way to make a few bucks off one TV show’s popularity. That would’ve been much easier than the truth. Contrarily, I had only seen the show once in 2013 and didn’t bank on it even being around. I thought it would be another American Gladiators and a flash in the pan. What I do know, is that 5-year-olds don’t lie, and they also don’t follow trends. They’ll tell you what they love…and they love NinjaZone! NinjaZone is a fusion of gymnastics, parkour, obstacle training, and martial arts for a reason. It’s meant to meet the needs of all children and is designed with the following foundations: Discipline and a progressive level system from martial arts Strength and agility from obstacle course training Discovery and creativity from parkour Confidence building, intermittent feedback, and progressions from gymnastics It’s all about the relationship What I also have seen in my time as a 2nd generation gymnastics club owner is that bounce houses, jungle gyms, and even trampoline parks, have a shelf life. That is because they lack purpose, variety, and the coaching relationship. Don’t get me wrong, the new Ninja equipment is awesome. It looks cool, it’s super fun and challenging (for a while), but then what? Do it faster? That’s fine for a teen or an adult, but our gymnastics businesses wouldn’t survive without our grassroots programming. Without the SPORT. The skills, progressions, and WINS you must have before throwing an aesthetically pleasing $10,000 piece of equipment in your gym. It worries me to no end that club owners in our space would take for granted the talent, passion, and skill that our gymnastics community has, and not use it! The fact that they would build what essentially is the “next bounce house” and give up the opportunity to truly make a deep contribution to the well-being of our next generation is concerning. We know fundamental movement better than any group on the planet. Looking at the bigger picture Through our licensed gym club community, we learned quickly how important the programming is. We learned quickly that kids running around in a circle and up and down a wall without a PLAN, is a house of cards. I think it’s awesome that American Ninja Warrior and the World Freerunning and Parkour Federation have given us this opportunity. Cheerleading gave us this opportunity 20 years ago, and many of us turned our noses up to it (me included). This time around, it’s so much bigger than rebranding and re-marketing men’s gymnastics. It’s about making it cool for boys to flip again, as well as climb, traverse, swing, jump, and conquer! Call it whatever you want. It’s great for them, and it’s great for us as a gymnastics industry. So, let them be a Ninja. Ninjas can be anything.

Childhood obesity has now become the top concern among parents in America. About 1 of every 3 children is said to be obese, a rate that tripled since the early 1970s. What can you do to make sure you’re raising healthy children? It begins at home with a healthy diet and a commitment to an active lifestyle. Here are some tips to keep your child healthy and where you can go for activities that are not only fun but provide much-needed exercise. Commitment To Nutrition A lifetime of healthy eating begins at a very young age. Hectic schedules make it harder than ever to focus on proper nutrition – it’s easy to just zip through the fast food drive-thru. But if you follow these tips, you’ll find a healthy diet for you and your child is possible. 1. Eat as a family: Eating as a family leads to healthier meals and children who eat with their families are less likely to snack on junk food. 2. Explore a variety of foods: It’s common sense to encourage a balanced diet including protein, fruits, grains, and vegetables. What isn’t often thought about is how offering a variety of foods can encourage healthy eating. 3. Lead by example: This is no time for the old “Do as I say, not as I do” line. You can be a role model to your children by displaying healthy eating habits yourself. 4. Let the kids choose: Giving children the hard sell on broccoli will likely be unproductive. Most young children are picky eaters and that’s OK. Offering a variety of healthy foods and letting your children gravitate to what they like will lead to good habits in the long run. 5. Don’t make it a chore: Nutrition can be fun. By allowing your children to be involved in food, they can connect with you and also feel ownership. Some ways to involve kids in nutrition include: planting a garden or picking fruit, arranging fruits and vegetables in interesting ways, or allow them to help in the kitchen. Once you have your family eating a healthy diet, everyone will feel good and be ready to exercise. After all, nobody feels like exercising after eating unhealthy snacks. Physical Activity According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents should get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The CDC has recommendations for the types of exercise needed to raise a healthy child: Aerobic Exercise: It’s suggested that the majority of the 60 minutes of exercise be moderate or vigorous aerobic activity to build endurance and respiratory health. Moderate aerobic exercises include: riding a bike, rollerblading or walking, and hiking. Vigorous aerobics involve running, martial arts, cheerleading, or jumping rope. Build Bone Strength: Children should spend a portion of each day’s 60 minutes doing bone-strengthening exercises. These include: hopping and jumping, running and sports like basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. Increase Muscular Strength: It’s not recommended for young children to lift weights. Doing push-ups and sit-ups will do the trick, as will gymnastics and playing on playground equipment. As your child gets older, weight training can be introduced after proper instruction. This doesn’t mean you need a personal trainer and a heavily-regimented exercise program for your child. It’s important to encourage physical activities that are fun and age-appropriate. That way, getting exercise won’t seem like a chore. One way for a healthy child to have fun with peers while getting valuable exercise is to discover NinjaZone. With more than 250 licensed clubs worldwide, NinjaZone is providing children with a mix of obstacle training, gymnastics, martial arts and freestyle movement. Spending 60 minutes in your local NinjaZone club will provide your child with the aerobic and strength-building activity needed to be healthy, confident, and creative. NinjaZone recently launched a Baby Ninja program which is a Parent & Me class for walkers to age 3. For children ages 3-5, we have a Lil’ Ninja program that introduces by gymnastics, martial arts and obstacle training concepts in a way that encourages listening, confidence and exploration. For children ages 5-11, our Ninja Training program of flips, rolls, kicks and jumps provides necessary bone- and muscle-strengthening exercises. The Ninja Sport is growing. Find out what 80,000 healthy children are finding out, physical fitness doesn’t have to be a chore. By eating right and having a little fun with friends, your child can build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Sources: Heart.org: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/ChildhoodObesity/Overweight-in-Children_UCM_304054_Article.jsp#.WvD87dMvzOQ CDC.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm

Being a mom to a ninja kid can be an exciting journey filled with obstacles, adventures, and plenty of surprises. Your child's passion for ninja activities is an incredible opportunity to connect with them on a deeper level. Check out these 10 tips to build stronger relationships through the sport of ninja! 1. Share Their Passion One of the most effective ways to connect with your ninja is to take a genuine interest in their passion. Attend their classes, watch ninja competitions together, and ask questions about their training. Showing enthusiasm for what they love fosters a sense of validation and support. 2. Participate in Their World Consider joining in on the fun! Many ninja gyms offer family or parent-child classes where you can try out the obstacles and challenges together. This shared experience not only strengthens your connection but also provides a chance for you both to learn and grow. 3. Be a Supportive Cheerleader Whether it's a small accomplishment in training or a big competition, be their biggest cheerleader. Celebrate their successes and offer encouragement during setbacks. Your emotional support can help them develop confidence and resilience. 4. Listen Actively Ninjas are often filled with stories of their training adventures. Take the time to listen actively and attentively when they share their experiences. Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to express themselves, and be present in the moment. (i.e. what was a skill you thought you couldn't master today?) 5. Create a Ninja-Inspired Space Transform a corner of your home into a ninja-inspired space. Decorate it with ninja-themed posters, equipment, or a mini obstacle course. This dedicated area can serve as a reminder of their passion and a place where you can bond over training and practice. 6. Teach Life Skills Ninja training goes beyond physical abilities; it teaches valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting. Discuss how these skills can be applied in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication. 7. Set Goals Together Work with your ninja to set realistic goals for their training. Discuss what they want to achieve and help them create a plan to reach those goals. This collaborative effort can instill a sense of purpose and responsibility. Connecting with your ninja kid on this level helps them see your commitment to their success! 8. Encourage Balance While it's essential to support their ninja pursuits, ensure there's a healthy balance between training and other aspects of their life, such as school, social activities, and downtime. Help them manage their time effectively. 9. Be Patient and Understanding Ninja training can be challenging, and there may be moments of frustration or disappointment. Be patient and understanding when they face obstacles or setbacks. Your empathy and encouragement will help them stay motivated. 10. Share Your Wisdom As a mom, you have a wealth of life experience to offer. Share stories of your own challenges and triumphs, and how you've overcome obstacles. Your wisdom can be a source of inspiration and valuable life lessons! Connecting with your ninja kid is a rewarding journey that deepens your relationship and nurtures their growth. Embrace their passion, be their biggest supporter, and cherish the moments you spend together on this exciting ninja adventure!