Joy Is Still a Muscle

It smelled like popcorn down there, plus damp concrete, and the kind of mayhem only middle school boys can conjure on a Saturday afternoon. Up until this day, I can picture dad grimacing upstairs in his office and my mother pointing out the obvious - “They’re boys, Dave.”

In the warm chaos of my family’s basement - a pool table covered with rolled up carpets, a string of Christmas lights dangling year-round - my good friend, Adam skated around the floor in a mash-up of protective gear: bicycle helmet, roller skates, and a hockey stick he wielded like a medieval lance.

He grinned, wild-eyed and fearless. “Hit me, HIT me!” 

Meanwhile, my friends and I stood on top of the train table, (trains long abandoned), laughing so hard we nearly fell. Our mission? Take Adam’s legs out and make him fall to the hard concrete. With broomsticks, rakes, or by swinging the giant punching bag dangling from the ceiling toward Adam as he zoomed by, trying - boisterously - to knock him off his balance.

There were no adults in charge.
Nobody was counting calories.
There was just movement, and joy, and the kind of sweaty, full-body living that most of us forgot we were allowed to feel.

That memory lives in my bones. It’s part of why I built LifeUP. Not just to help people lose weight or manage stress - but to remember that feeling. That aliveness.

And while we can’t bring back the basement or the punching bag or the roller skates (trust me - we’re no longer built for this), we can bring back the freedom to move. To laugh. To feel strong in our bodies again and do it with joy.

So here’s your reminder:
The version of you that skated around with joy and courage and zero self-consciousness? You’re still in there.

Start small. Move gently.
Reclaim that chaos. One habit at a time.

Derek

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Real-Life Wellness

10 Tiny Habits to Raise Energized, Resilient Kids (and Yourself!)

(No perfection required.)

Let’s be real: life is full. Between work, homework, sports, and the occasional existential meltdown over the wrong color cup or the barista getting your order wrong - healthy habits can fall off the radar fast.

But small things stick. And the good news is, you don’t need to overhaul your family’s routine to see real change.

Here are 10 gentle, real-world wellness habits you can start weaving in - one at a time, on your own terms.

✨ No shame. No pressure. Just momentum.
Pick one that feels doable this week. And if it sticks? That’s one small step toward a healthier, happier home.

🥣 Power-Up Parfait

A build-your-own breakfast or snack kids will love—and parents will feel good about.

🍓 Why It Helps:

• High in fiber + protein to help kids feel fuller longer

• Naturally sweet, no added sugar

• Customizable - let kids choose their toppings for buy-in

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt with protein)

• ½ banana, sliced

• ¼ cup berries (fresh or frozen)

• 2 tablespoons low-sugar granola or oats

• 1 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional superpower)

• Dash of cinnamon or vanilla extract (optional)

🥄 Directions:

1. Scoop yogurt into a bowl or cup.

2. Layer in fruit - bananas, berries, or whatever’s on hand.

3. Sprinkle granola or oats for crunch.

4. Add a superboost like chia seeds or flax (optional but cool).

5. Let them mix it, name it, and own it. ("Banana Crunch Rocket Fuel," anyone?)

🧠 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Childhood Obesity Is Rising - But So Can We

A new study in The Lancet has some eye-opening numbers:
By 2050, 1 in 6 children and teens worldwide is expected to be obese. That’s nearly 750 million young people globally struggling not just with weight - but with energy, confidence, fertility, and long-term health.

This isn’t a future problem. It’s already here.

From 1990 to 2021, obesity in ages 5–24 tripled. Many countries - including Australia and the U.S. - are seeing some of the fastest transitions, with adolescent girls at especially high risk.

But here’s the part that matters most:
It doesn’t have to be this way.

According to lead researcher Dr. Jessica Kerr, if we take real action within the next five years, we could reverse the trend. That means not just treating obesity when it happens—but preventing it before it starts.

💬 What’s Driving the Shift?

It’s not just about food or willpower.
Researchers point to broader, systemic issues:

• Constant access to ultra-processed foods

• Sedentary lifestyles shaped by screen time, safety concerns, and urban design

• Limited access to healthy meals, especially in low-income areas

• Advertising targeted at children

• Gaps in school and community support for physical activity
  

💡 What Can Parents Do?

While large-scale policy changes are crucial, you’re not powerless at home.
Here’s how we can start tipping the scale (literally and figuratively):

• Talk about health, not weight. Focus on energy, mood, and sleep instead of the number on the scale.

• Eat together when you can. Even one family meal a week creates connection and healthier habits.

• Reintroduce movement as play. A dance break, a nature walk, shooting hoops—no gym needed.

• Model, don’t lecture. Kids mirror what they see. Especially the way we talk about our own bodies.

• Stay informed - but don’t panic. Awareness without shame is a powerful starting place.

📣 What’s Needed Next?

Experts urge governments to:

• Tax sugary drinks

• Ban junk food ads targeting kids

• Invest in school meals and community programs

• Rethink urban design to encourage active living
  

This isn’t about fear. It’s about building a future where our kids can thrive.