Our Kids Must Not Be Fat!

FITNESS fanatics MaryBeth and Philip Ricardo don’t just obsess about their own bodies…they make sure their kids have bulging biceps and six packs, too!

FORMER marine dad Philip, 45, was once crowned Mr Universe and today he is determined to help his young kids follow in his footsteps. Son Ethan is just 13 and daughter Sanali, nine, yet both children are put through rigorous ‘military style’ training sessions so they can compete in bodybuilding competitions. The kids must also stick to an ultra strict diet. 

On weekdays that means NO treats and a diet that consists of little more than oatmeal, eggs, rice, chicken, steak and vegetables. Mom MaryBeth, 36, admits the only cheat days the kids really get to indulge their sweet tooth are two days over Christmas. Determined the kids focus on health and fitness, they are also banned from watching TV in the week and can only touch phones, electronics and play with friends on a weekend.

But while MaryBeth admits she worries their actions could cause the kids to develop eating disorders, she’s still convinced their strict lifestyle is healthy. Mary, from Virginia, USA, said, “Health, fitness and discipline are of upmost importance in our home. And we ban anything in the week that gets in the way of that. Both Philip and I follow a strict health and fitness routine and so we demand our kids do too. We have rules and the kids must follow them. The kids loved watching us compete in bodybuilding competitions and so we thought why not help them train to do it too?” Hard work in the run up to a competition means the kids must do 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups and at least a 1.5km run every day.