Macaroni Monday - Couch Potato Cure

We've reached the mid-point, finally! The days of darkness at 4pm are on the wane, and the sunlight will begin brightening our moods earlier and earlier as the season wears on. But unless you are living in warmer climes, it's still Winter for a few more months, and now that we've packed on those few extra holiday pounds, the temptation to hole up on the sofa with the remote control and a bag of chips or cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows can do more than undermine your summer wardrobe--it can be downright dangerous for your family.

Keep your family fit over the next few months by following this advice:

Sign up for indoor sports at your local community gym, or start a walking regimen with your kids a few times a week.

Don't eat in front of the television, when habitual snacking can undermine your diet and add unhealthy weight and cholesterol to your body. Instead, make the sofa a "no-eating" zone, and require all snacks and meals to take place at the kitchen or dining room table. This will promote healthier eating habits and may contribute greatly to your family's social skills, as they re-learn the art of conversation over dinner.

Don't buy sugary snacks or empty calories when grocery shopping. Buy most of your foods from the produce aisle, then purchase your fish, meats (if you eat meat), nuts and dairy items. Desserts and processed foods should be added to your cart last, if at all. You're less likely to impulse purchase these unhealthy items when your cart is already full of good foods.

Cook as often as possible. Not only will you save money by eating at home, you'll save on calories, as well. Most restaurant meals contain more salt, fat and sugar than recipes for home-cooking.

Limit "fast foods" to once a month or less. While these foods may seem convenient and inexpensive, the benefits of eating less processed foods will pay off in the long run--financially, and physically.

Be sure you and your family are drinking at least 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Don't allow your children to drink sugary sodas, juice drinks (unless they are labeled 100 % fruit juice) or artificially sweetened teas, which may trigger their bodies to seek out the glucose it craves after tasting sweet things.

Encourage movement in any way possible. If your family has access to a gaming system, rent or purchase exercise or dance videos or game cartridges that everyone in the family can enjoy together. If it's warm enough where you live, ride bikes with your kids, go jogging or hiking, or play tennis or swim at a membership health club.

For more ways to keep your kids fit this winter, visit: GirlsHealth.gov.

Macaroni Kid and its family of Publisher Moms are dedicated to delivering the scoop on all the family-friendly events and activities happening in their communities each week. Check out Macaroni Kid’s list of communities and sign up to receive your free weekly newsletter.