Families today are enticed daily with couch potato-like activities: video games, surfing the net, movies, and reality television. Sometimes it’s hard to motivate our children to exercise when it competes with the instant gratification of “entertainmentâ€.
I want my family to have good health and to enjoy the benefits of exercise; I don’t want my children to look like a bunch of…well…potatoes! I know my children won’t get too excited if I dust off my old aerobics tape and use it as our exercise routine. I want to make exercise part of our family culture.
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We all want to enjoy good health. Here are some ways to get our families to be fit:
*Put on some fun upbeat music and just dance. Not only will the kids have fun, but also they’ll get a good laugh.
*Work out in the yard together. Planting a garden, mowing the lawn, and trimming the bushes are great ways to work out; it will also teach the children the benefits of hard work.
*Instead of playing sports games on the computer, get outside and really play them!
*Ditch the weekend movie, and go for a hike. Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while getting a good workout.
*Put away the car keys whenever possible. With the cost of gas soaring, walking or riding bikes to get from one place to another makes good fitness—and economical sense.
*Set the example and invite the kids along. My three-year-old does her sit-ups and leg-lifts right along with me.
*Have fun together. Whatever you do to add fitness into your family culture, make it fun. Not only will your family enjoy the health benefits, your family will enjoy the special bond that comes from spending time together.
n
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Stacey Derbinshire
Great ideas for getting our families more physically fit! These things are so important in America today considering the soaring obesity rates among children. Great job!
I agree whole heartledly with your thoughts. We excersize regulary as a family. It is a great thing to learn, but more importantly, as you state, it builds memories!
Amy
This article reestablishes something that I know I should be doing everyday with my kids. It’s been hit and miss usually but I’m setting a new goal TODAY to exercise everyday with my children.
That is some really good thoughts. I need to be less reliant on my car and use my legs more. My son is young and loves to be outside, I hope that I can keep that love going. You have given me some inspiration.
I love going on walks with the whole family. We can talk about things while getting exercise. It brings the family closer together. Those where some great ideas!
I am a senior citizen and find that those habits of exercise formed with family while young do carry over, even if need requires a little adaptaation. I love to swim with grandkids. We also keep a basket of scarfs and instruments from different countries and the kids love to put on our special music and work out with the scarfs and other props.
Do you know of any groups that specialize in family fitness?