How Can You Enhance Your Child’s Screen Time?
We live in a world of screens: computer screens, smart phones, hand-held DS’s, Wii’s, Xboxes…the list goes on and on and is growing steadily. Unfortunately, we’re growing steadily too. Obesity and its related health problems (such as diabetes and heart disease) are rising at an unprecedented rate. This problem effects all sectors of society but it is especially acute (and alarming) among kids. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) obesity increased among preschool children aged 2–5, from 5.0% to 10.4% between 2007–2008, and from 6.5% to 19.6% among those aged 6–11. Among adolescents aged 12–19, obesity increased from 5.0% to 18.1% during the same period.
You’re a busy parent. You’re not always home when your kid grabs the remote. When you are home you don’t want to play the role of the “bad guy” and not let your child watch his or her favorite show.
123GoTV is an innovative way to solve this dilemma. It represents a healthy step in the right direction. By combining TV and exercise you can ensure that your child is getting the recommended minutes of vigorous activity, while allowing them the entertainment outlet they crave so strongly.
Research References:
Common Sense Media. (2008). Media + Child and Adolescent Health. A Systematic Review.Gordon, S. (2008, April 7). TV in the Bedroom is Unhealthy. The Washington Post. Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2004) The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity. Prevalence of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, Trends 1963-1965 Through 2007-2008 by Cynthia Ogden, Ph.D., and Margaret Carroll, M.S.P.H., Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys
A Simple Thanksgiving Idea
We, at KidExerciser, wish families across the United States an enjoyable Thanksgiving day of togetherness. In this frenetic world, we hope you have some time to have a meaningful family meal.
We know that folks can get worried about health and fitness around holidays that involve food. Experts might suggest that having a plan for creating some balance between eating and activity might help some. In addition, it might help to absolve oneself of guilt for overindulging; most people do. It is just 24 hours, and one can move on without worrying too much.
We look forward to sharing other family health and fitness ideas with you soon. Take care.
Be Good to Yourself!
NBC4 News Takes 123GoTV Out for a Test Drive
123GoTV by KidExerciser was showcased last night on the NBC4 News Segment 4 Your Health. As was mentioned on the newscast, “Many parents complain that kids watch too much TV and don’t get enough exercise. What if they could do both things at the same time?” 123GoTV was invented by a mom to make this happen.
123GoTV was demonstrated on NBC4 News 4 Your Health by a Los Angeles family whose daughter does not get enough exercise within her school hours. The Physical Activity Guidelines for America recommend at least one hour of exercise per day for children and adolescents, and only 4% of elementary schools provide daily exercise for our kids.
123GoTV hooks up to any kids’ bike and any TV. The motion sensor on the device knows when the rear wheel is spinning and relays a signal to the TV component to play. When the child is pedaling, the TV show plays; stop and the TV picture pauses. According to Dr. Bruce Hensel, “I think it’s a great idea; there is too much obesity.”
Earlier this fall, KidExerciser participated in the NBC4 Your Health Expo in Long Beach, California where kids of all ages were visibly enthralled by the device that creates an exercise bike out of any kids’ bike (16-20 inch wheel size). The kids’ own words were the best endorsements of all. “Cool”, “It’s Awesome”, and “I Love It” were just a few of the comments made while the kids were testing out the 123GoTV on hand. Parents were just as pleased, and surprised that their children did not want to stop pedaling. They wanted to watch the video until the end. Yes, 123GoTV by KidExerciser works with DVDs, as well.
We, @KidExerciser, are grateful to NBC4 News and Dr. Bruce Hensel for working so diligently to improve kids’ health and for inviting so many families to preview 123GoTV by KidExerciser, so that we can reach more kids to improve their health and fitness in their developing years.
123GoTV Wins PTPA Seal of Approval
123GoTV by KidExerciser has earned the coveted Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval.
123GoTV by KidExerciser is excited to announce that it has earned the coveted Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Winner’s Seal of Approval. PTPA Media has North America’s largest volunteer parent testing community, with over 40,000 parents.
Consumers looking for high-quality products and services can rest assured when they see the PTPA Winner’s Seal; it is evidence of product excellence as evaluated by unbiased parent consumers.
123GoTV by KidExerciser was among many entries from across North America competing to earn the PTPA (TM) Seal. Because independent parent volunteers evaluate these products in their own homes, PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and consumer experience-not on commercial considerations. As a result, the PTPA Media (TM) Seal has quickly gained recognition as an international leader in certifying consumer products for quality, effectiveness and value. Their CEO, Sharon Vinderine has appeared on over 40 morning shows as a reliable source for the latest and greatest in family products. The media and parents alike trust the collective opinion that PTPA Media represents.
The honor of being awarded this Seal of Approval is a huge achievement for a product geared to families, children or parents. “We at 123GoTV by KidExerciser are thrilled to be recognized with the Seal of Approval from PTPA Media, Inc. 123GoTV by KidExerciser was created by parents to improve the lifestyles of kids. This honor proves that we achieved our design objective. Parent-testers have endorsed our product so that we can further our mission of helping families.” Margie Mullen-Inventor.
Can A Healthy Family Lifestyle Be Fun?
123GoTV
It’s As Easy as 123GoTV
Have you ever wondered why the fast and packaged food industry keeps on getting larger, as we keep on getting larger, as well? I believe the pace of our lives seems to require instant, microwavable food, or take out. Most families have more than one person working. Everyone has got a heavy workload, including the kids.
Our lives are busy, busy, busy, and can we really be blamed for being tempted by high tech ads everywhere we look, as are our kids? And, snack foods and fast foods are tasty, with lots of what is often referred to as “empty calories” that don’t add much nutrition, but do add lots to our families’ waistlines and poor health.
The other part of the health equation is some regular exercise. The exercise doesn’t even need to be complicated or fancy. Some programs have discussed walking, on a regular basis, as an excellent way to maintain fitness. But how many of us have the time to walk very far, particularly busy families with kids?
Exercise for your kids-What to do about it?
I am going to start with the exercise piece, because it seems, perhaps, more out of reach. It seems like it has to be expensive, time-consuming, and involve some program outside the home. Don’t get me wrong. Organized sports are wonderful for many kids and families, and many do participate. But, how about everyone else? Is fitness out of reach for your kids? In our fast-paced world, are we looking for an instant or take out exercise program? I think so, and we at Kidexerciser, Inc. have invented and manufactured a kids’ fitness product, 123GoTV that uses your child’s own bike and your family’s TV. If your kids are anything like mine, they watch TV anyway. What if your child needed to pedal his bike in order to see his program? He probably would. The TV is a built-in, ever changing set of programs that does not require expensive game cartridges, like the Wii or XBox, to keep him interested, and your kids can get fit, right at home, while you are completing all of your daily chores.
How about instant food, does it have to be unhealthy?
Some fresh foods are fast and tasty, as well. They just aren’t advertised to us that way, because no one is earning much money putting them into a colorfully labeled box. What food items could I possibly be speaking about? My son’s favorites are fruits, cut in bite-sized pieces or whole. Our family enjoys apples, bananas, melons, and peaches in the summer (my own personal favorite). These are just a few examples of healthy fast food. Veggies such as baby carrots, tomatoes, red pepper, and celery can also be eaten on the go, with or without something to dip them into. All that this requires is for us to think outside the box, the snack food box, that is.
Thanks for listening.
Liz Mullen
Make 123GoTV part of YOUR Plan for Your Kid’s Health & Wellness!
123GoTV
The National Prevention Council, a body of the Office of the Surgeon General, recently created a plan, entitled the National Prevention Strategy to improve the health of Americans of all ages.
Key Facts behind the NPC’s new plan:
- Less than 4% of elementary schools, 8% of middle schools, and 2% of high schools provide opportunities for daily physical education.
- 80% of adolescents do not meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
- The average 8 to 18 year old is exposed to nearly 7.5 hours of passive, screen time every day (e.g. TV, videos, computers, smart phones, video games).
- 33% of youth watch 3 hours or more of TV daily; only 18% are physically active daily.
“Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most important things that people of all ages can do to improve their health. Physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, reduces stress and depression, and makes it easier to maintain a healthy body weight or to reduce weight if overweight or obese.” The Physical Activity Guidelines for America recommend at least 1 hour of daily exercise for children and teenagers.
How Can You Accomplish This Goal With Your Own Children?
We have the answer! 123GoTV. Our innovative Bike TV Controller is designed to be the part of a regular kid’s fitness plan…and it can be done at home! Just place your kid’s bicycle into the stand we provide, connect it up to your TV and the bike takes control of the TV signal. Pedal and the TV plays. Stop pedaling, and the TV goes blank.
(Don’t worry; you can easily go back to regular TV viewing with the flick of a switch.)
Biking while watching TV can be a fun & easy way of increasing the activity levels of your kids. Unlike the Wii and Xbox, you will not have to continually purchase new games or costly equipment. 123GoTV uses your child’s own bicycle to play the shows he or she is already eager to watch, and it can be used in summer and winter, rain or shine.
TV or Not TV? Not The Question Anymore Thanks to 123GoTV
Every fall since our son began elementary school, we have had the important decision to make about how much TV he should watch, especially on school nights.
Some parents set the bar at no TV at all during the week. That’s pretty strict, and effortful to enforce.
Others, like us, employed the rule: Homework first, then TV. That seemed fair, but it didn’t quite answer our question, and we were frustrated. We wanted out of the yearly TV struggle. That’s why we created 123GoTV by KidExerciser, a kids’ fitness idea that uses your child’s own bike to control the TV feed in your home.
It’s simple. Kids pedal their own bike, while it is held stationary on the 123GoTV, in front of a TV set. An RF signal is generated by the turning wheel of the bike. A receiver attached to the TV controls the picture. Pedal and the TV program plays. Stop pedaling and the program stops.
At our home, we turned 123GoTV into a game, to see how long our son could keep his shows going without a break. When his friends came over, they would sometimes fight over who got to ride the bike, while everybody else enjoyed the shows. We even used it for long form DVD viewing. Of course, we don’t leave the device hooked up around the clock. After an alloted time, we just flip a switch and normal TV viewing is restored. It’s the perfect combination of fitness and fun.
The Physical Activity Guidelines suggest a minimum of one hour of daily exercise for kids. Exercise can decrease stress levels and increase focus. Biking is an activity that kids enjoy. They already have an attachment to their bikes. Connecting biking with TV watching is an easy and fun way to increase your child’s activity level without the arguments that often accompany TV watching.
123GoTV can help you start the school year off with a routine of TV and exercise that can be sustained without a struggle, to help your kids do their best.
Isn’t that what we all want for our kids?
Teaching Fitness to Our Kids
It is as easy as 123GoTV
Teaching Fitness to Our Kids
Kids learn habits from a young age. They learn from experience and bring these experiences with them into adulthood. Two generations ago, parents didn’t have as much responsibility for teaching their kids about nutrition and exercise. Food was less processed and kids walked, rode bikes, and spent more time outside.
The changes over the years have produced some startling results. Rates for High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes (very preventable diseases) have skyrocketed, and the increases have been caused by increased calorie consumption and decreased amount of time physically moving around. Younger and younger kids are affected by sedentary games and increased consumption of processed foods.
Adults, both men and women, are joining gyms, taking Zumba and yoga classes and are seeking ways to self-monitor and balance fitness into our lifestyles. What are we doing for our kids?
We, at KidExerciser, are aware that kids today have schedules as chock full as our own. We know that you may not have the time to make sure your kids get the prescribed one hour of exercise every day. We have created a kid-friendly exerciser that turns your kid’s own bike into an indoor exercise bicycle that actually controls the TV feed in your family room. That’s right; with 123GoTV your kids can be pedaling their bikes while watching their favorite TV show (that they will probably watch anyway). Wouldn’t you rather see that your kids are learning healthy behaviors when they are young? It can be a lesson that will last them a lifetime!
Playtime As the Weather Gets Colder
Kids Playtime Changes with the Seasons
Autumn is upon us. It is a favorite time of year for me. Beautiful tree colors, crisp clean air, and back to school friendships and activities. Whether you live in the eastern or western U.S., it is still warm enough for the kids to play outside.
What are your favorite childhood autumn memories? Mine are of playing touch football and tag with the neighborhood kids. It is more important than ever to make sure our kids are running around to play. There are so many more sedentary games, computers, play stations, and handheld electronics that keep their hands busy. What about their large muscles?
Parents in the cold weather states have a few more snow-free months for daily outdoor playtime. Do you have a plan for midwinter physical activity for you kids? We, at KidExerciser, believe that parents must play an active role in creating healthy habits in our kids’ lives. We know there are a variety of activities that can fit the job. What is most important is to choose an activity that the child wants to do on a regular basis.
If you had to guess just one activity that nearly every child does almost every day, what would you choose? TV watching is such a common denominator in kids’ lives that it launched a brain-storm in one mom’s mind. How about combining TV viewing with exercising? The result is 123GoTV by KidExerciser, a unique exercise product that uses your child’s own bicycle to control the TV in your home. When your child pedals his bike, the TV plays. Stop pedaling, and the TV screen pauses. It incorporates the reward directly into the exercise process.
Your family room can easily become a fitness space for your kids.
Learn more about it at KidExerciser.com.
You may follow us on Facebook to read more about child health and fitness activities from a number of great sources.
10 Ideas to Help You and Your Children Stay Fit
1. Bicycle! To a child a bicycle is more than transportation. It’s going speeds you can’t reach walking. It’s the thrill of beating a steep hill. It’s the joy of racing friends and trying new tricks! Take the time to teach your child to ride a bike this summer. You can even use 123GoTV to help your child learn. The bike trainer is the only one on the market that fits a child size bike, and it holds the bike firmly in place, so your child can feel what its like to ride a bike. Your child can practice while watching TV – pedaling turns on the TV, just as in real life pedaling makes the bike go fast enough to balance!
2. Picnics: Riding bikes or walking to the nearest park might seem like a small adventure to you, but it’s a wide-open opportunity of fun for children. Once there you can relax and enjoy some sunshine, while your kids run around a play tag, climb a tree, play on playground equipment, or play hide-and-seek. Bring some sidewalk chalk or a ball and be amazed at how many different activities kids can imagine with such simple toys.
3. Simply get outside: Sunshine has Vitamin D which helps us all stay fit. WebMD reports “Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from the diet. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked with poor muscle strength.” Doctors call it The Sunshine Vitamin. “Vitamin D is also the only vitamin that does not need to be consumed in food or supplements because our bodies are efficient at making it when our skin is exposed to direct sunlight (not through a window),” says WebMD.
4. Always be on the lookout for another great ball. Balls are among the oldest toys, in fact it is probably one of the oldest tools of mankind. It’s simple, but virtually unlimited in uses. Kickball, dodgeball, catch and foursquare need nothing more than a good bouncy ball to play. Small rubber balls are great for bouncing contests, playing jacks, and chasing after. Stickball – a low budget version of baseball – needs just a good ball. Everything else – from the “bat” to the “bases” can be made from things you can find outside. Line up some empty tin cans and make a bowling alley with a good heavier weight ball. Find an empty basket and shoot hoops with any air filled ball. Whether your rich or poor or somewhere in between, a ball is a simple yet bountiful toy every child should have.
5. Jump Rope. Kids can learn to jump rope at an early age and by the time they go to school many 
children know how. How to Jump Rope is a great video showing you how to get the basic skills. Jumping rope is more than great exercise. It’s about counting games, tricks, memorizing silly rhymes, and teamwork. If you need help remembering go to Jump Rope Rhymes where you’ll find everything from Miss Mary Mack to Cinderella to Down by the River to Teddy Bear.
6. Swim. Swimming is great exercise, and the way kids do it must burn thousands of calories. Your local YMCA may have a pool open to the public for a small fee, and many cities have a public swimming pool. Make friends with people with pools, or visit your nearest lake or pond or river if a lifeguard is provided and the area is approved for swimming. Both the YMCA and the Red Cross offer excellent swimming lessons.
7. Indoor Games. Television is not the only indoor activity, but it is certainly a favorite among kids. If you have 123GoTV make a game out of it. See how long kids can work together as a team to pedal the bike and keep the TV going. Set that as the limit for TV time! Before you know it, your child will be collecting friends to help! Another good indoor games is a treasure hunt. Write clues on pieces of paper and hide them, each clue providing the next location. The treasure at the end can be a small prize, or even a perk wrapped up in an envelope, such as “Good for One Extra Hour Before Bedtime”
8. Go Outside! The Buddy System. It’s not easy to tell your kids to just go outside. Too many cars, too many strangers, and not enough adult supervision makes it challenging for all parents. As your child gets older, encourage the buddy system whenever outside. Tell your kids the importance of sticking together. Staying together gives typical kids four legs instead of two for running away, four eyes instead of two for watching for cars, and two voices instead of one to call for help or give warning. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s better than going it alone.
9. Go to your friends games. Organized sports isn’t for everyone, but watching your friends play is a great way to get outside, build friendships, and join in on fun. Ask other parents for their child’s game schedule, and make plans with your children to go to their friends games. Before and after games kids are always around playing, so even just coming to cheer will be a great social structure for your child.
10. Block the driveway with your car. If you have a driveway it can be a great place to play, if not for all the cars on the street. You worry about a ball going into the street and your child chasing after it, or a car pulling into your driveway without seeing the kids playing. Move your car so it sits right in front of the end of the driveway. Balls stay in, cars stay out. You might end up with a few dings on your car, but those are easier to fix than bad boo boos.
