Family Fitness Program Promotes Nutrition and Wellness
Building healthy habits starts with small, consistent choices, and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health hopes to make those choices easier through its Wellness Wednesdays program. The weekly family fitness series combines physical activity, nutrition education, and hands-on experiences designed to help children and parents create lifelong healthy routines.
April Hamilton, a registered nurse with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, said the program has expanded beyond hospital patients and now welcomes families from across the community.
“We want families to learn together,” Hamilton said. “When parents and children hear the same message and practice healthy habits together, those lessons are much more likely to stick.”
Hands-On Learning Makes Healthy Choices Fun
Instead of traditional lectures, Wellness Wednesdays encourages families to participate in activities together. Recent sessions included preparing healthy wraps while teaching children about different parts of plants using vegetables like carrots, celery, lettuce, broccoli, and cucumbers.
Hamilton said involving children in meal preparation increases the likelihood they’ll try new foods.
“Kids are much more willing to eat foods they helped prepare,” she said. “Cooking together gives them ownership and makes healthy eating more enjoyable.”
Parents Play a Critical Role
Hamilton emphasized that healthy habits begin at home because parents control grocery shopping, meal planning, and family routines. She recommends meal prepping together each week to save time and make nutritious meals easier during busy weekdays.
She also encourages parents to let children help choose fruits and vegetables during grocery trips or farmers markets, giving them a sense of involvement in healthy decisions.
Building Healthy Habits Early Matters
Hamilton said nutrition and physical activity during childhood help establish lifelong wellness. She noted that limiting added sugar early in life and encouraging regular movement can positively influence long-term health.
Upcoming Wellness Wednesday events include fitness activities, nutrition lessons, and even a grocery store tour where families will learn how to shop for healthy meals on a budget.
Families interested in participating can register through Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health social media pages. This week’s Wellness Wednesday will be held at Knock Knock Children’s Museum, featuring interactive activities, community partners, and a smoothie-making blender bike for children.