Many a parent wants to believe that they have the next tennis champion or basketball star for a child, but the odds of a child growing up to achieve athletic fame and fortune is remote at best. There is no reason to crush their dreams of eventual sports glory at a young age, but you should also realistically assess their physical and emotional gifts as you help guide them into trying certain sports. For instance, a short, stocky kid may not be ideally suited to basketball, while a tall, lanky kid may not have the easiest time with gymnastics. Children who are overweight or not at an ideal fitness level may find more enjoyment (at least initially) in sports with less running demands baseball as opposed to soccer, for instance. That said, plenty of short kids love playing basketball, so don't go overboard with your assumptions. Maybe you love hockey, and have longed to see your kid out on the ice, doing the things you never got the chance to do. Don't let your vicarious athletic dreams get in the way of actually asking your child what sports he or she wants to play, however. A child who has a say in the process is more likely to enjoy and stick with a sport. It is often around age thirteen or so that some kids get "burnout" from the sports they've played, leading them to want to quit one or more sports and perhaps try others. No matter the age of your kid, prepare for ups and downs in regards to interest in particular sports, and accept his or her desire to try something new every so often. Once you've worked with your child to determine which sport or sports he or she will play, you can do some additional homework regarding the best situation for your child. Look into the skill level and time commitment expected in one league compared to another, and even consider the personalities of particular coaches. For instance, if your kid is just starting to "dip his toes" into basketball, he or she may find the extensive commitment required to be on a travel team that ventures widely each weekend to be too much. Perhaps a recreational league at your local YMCA or another such option may be a better choice. Likewise, if you know your child is unlikely to enjoy playing for a hard-nosed coach who criticizes regularly, you may want to look into other options. Of course, one of the benefits of sports is learning to deal with adversity, so don't go too far in trying to shield them from every possible discomfort. Stress can be a positive thing, spurring us to achieve things we didn't know we could do, whether in academics, athletics, or otherwise. However, excessive stress will impede enjoyment and success in a sport, and can easily bleed into other areas beyond the athletic field as well. Preventing and dealing with negative stress will make it much more likely for your child to enjoy sports. If your kid keeps making up excuses why he or she can't go to practice, never seems able to crack a smile during a game, performs below capabilities when the pressure is on, or begins having seemingly-unrelated difficulties with academics, social interactions, etc., stress may be overwhelming him or her. If you believe stress is a problem, talk to your child about keeping things in perspective. Look into stress management exercises like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and visualization. Consider whether your child is involved in too many sports, or needs to consider switching sports. In the end, some kids simply don't enjoy sports, or team sports in particular. Despite the benefits of experiencing a team dynamic, the problems may simply outweigh them. In such cases, you may need to seek out other options for your child, at least for the benefit of his or her health and fitness. If team sports are simply not in the cards for your child, look into sports with more of an individual focus, like tennis or golf. If the competitive aspect is more of a problem, emphasize aerobic exercises like swimming, running, or biking for the health benefits.
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One-sentence summary -- Be realistic about your kid. Give your child a say. Consider coaches and commitment. Watch for signs of stress. Look into other options.

Article: Stress is a huge contributor to belly fat. When you're stressed, your cortisol levels can skyrocket, leading to more fat storage in your midsection. To avoid this, make time for activities that help relieve your stress. Reading, playing an instrument, or hitting the golf course, for example, are all great options for stress-relieving activities. Sleep has a huge impact on your ability to fight belly fat. When you don't get enough sleep, you likely have a harder time controlling your appetite, cravings, mood, and motivation. By getting enough sleep, you'll have the energy to stay motivated to stick to your diet and exercise plan and get rid of your muffin top. Getting enough sleep also helps keep your cortisol levels down, which helps fight belly fat by helping your body manage stress. Sleeping also helps decrease late night snacking, which can derail your progress and contribute to muffin top. When you add muscle mass and lose belly fat, the number on the scale may stay the same or even increase. Instead of relying on your weight to track your progress, take time to assess how you feel and how your clothes fit. This will be a much more accurate indicator of whether your muffin top is shrinking or not. While losing belly fat can make you feel better and help your clothes fit better, it can also play a big role in improving your health. Having excess belly fat can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, if you have excess belly fat and are worried about your health, talk to your family doctor or a nutritionist about creating a diet and exercise plan specifically tailored to your needs, medical history, and lifestyle.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find activities that help relieve your stress. Get enough sleep to keep you motivated and on track. Don't rely on the scale to measure your progress. Talk to a healthcare professional to create a healthier lifestyle plan.