One of the best things you can do is to encourage healthy habits in those around you, especially your kids. Research shows it’s crucial to teach them good practices early to set them up for a happy, healthy life. Here are some tips on how to do that through family exercise. Most importantly, have fun together!
Weight issues are a concerning trend in the United States. With nearly a third of young adults facing obesity, we need to address unhealthy habits early — during childhood.
The activity levels we develop as kids often stick with us into adulthood, so it’s essential for parents to motivate their children to be active. Kids learn best by watching their parents and adult role models, not just by being told what to do.
Every parent knows children easily notice if what you say doesn’t match what you do. They also dislike doing things they see their parents avoiding, like eating vegetables.
To make a lasting impact on your child’s activity level, you need to model the behavior you want them to adopt. In simpler terms, you should exercise with them.
This doesn’t mean hitting the gym with your kids; rather, it’s about finding enjoyable activities you can all do together.
Kids need at least an hour of active play every day. They used to get this, or close to it, in school, but many schools are cutting back on recess and physical education to focus on academics. This leaves most physical activity to come from playing with suitable equipment during school recess, which is crucial.
It also means parents need to ensure kids get enough exercise at home. The best way to motivate your children to stay active is to make it fun. Avoid making it feel like a chore by focusing on the activities and the family time, not just the need to exercise.
Even chores can be fun if you turn on music, sing, dance, or make a race or game out of them.
If you’re not sure how to get your kids excited about turning off the TV, computer, and video games, here are some ideas to get started with family exercise:
Start a sports team. You don’t need to be an expert to coach a kids’ sports team. Form a team for children around your kids’ ages — it gives the whole family a chance to be part of something exciting.
Families are busier than ever, and sometimes finding a whole hour for family physical activity can be challenging. Recognize that some days it might not be possible, and that’s okay.
Even though an hour of active play each day is the official recommendation, the goal should be to raise your children to be active, healthy adults.
Start exercising as a family and enjoy the benefits!