Family, Fitness, Fun!

Getting others involved in fitness is an important aspect of maintaining accountability, and who better to hold you accountable than family?  Incorporating fitness into family life is a great way to remain personally consistent, but also passes on the importance of fitness to your kids.  Children need to be taught how to be physically active and how to incorporate it in their lifestyle on a daily basis; they don't always pick up on these things simply by watching you work out.  Though setting an example is important, exercising together makes a lasting impression.

Kids need physical activity on a daily basis just like adults do; even if your kids are not the "sporty" type, they can still learn how to find activities that suit their interests.  The key is helping them to see how physical activity can be fun and easily added into a daily routine.  The following are some suggestions for being active with your kids:

1. Evening walks - Take a walk after dinner as a family, bring the dogs too if you have them!

2. Enter a 5k event - Often, a 5k running event will also have a 1 or 2 mile walk event that corresponds with it.  This is something the whole family can do together.  Kids under a certain age will typically be free for these events or have a reduced entry fee.  Sometimes kids are allowed to ride their bicycle for the walking event; the details will depend on who is hosting.

3. Go to the park - Encourage your kids to play on the playground, or take a frisbee or football and toss it around for awhile.

4. Play a sport for fun - Teach your kids how to play baseball or tennis just for fun.  Once they understand enough of the basics, you can take them out on a Saturday morning and just have fun with it!

5. Ride bicycles together - You can get creative with this option and pack a picnic lunch to take with you.

6. Choose to walk instead of drive - If you have errands to run and they are not too far away, use this time to walk with your kids.

7. Learn how to roller skate, roller blade, or skateboard - Teaching some of these skills to your kids enables you to do something together, while also helping them work on balance and coordination.

8. Have a family "field day" - If your family is the competitive type, create your own "field day" where you can compete against each other in different games.  You don't even need much to set up for this, just things from around your house. 

9. Frisbee golf - There are plenty of frisbee golf courses, many of which are free!  Just find the one nearest you, and go have fun!

Take time to help your children understand the fun of fitness so they can have a head start towards a healthy life, because health is an irreplaceable gift!