Family fitness—exercising and otherwise living a healthy lifestyle as a group—is for all families, big and small, young and old, urban and rural. By sharing physical activity and nutritious food, your family can improve your health and enjoy your time together. Use active games, smart snacks, youth sports and more to create healthy habits for your entire "home team."
The great benefits of family fitness
Those habits can provide many good things that you probably already know.
Being physically active and eating well promote disease prevention, weight loss or maintenance, stress reduction, better performance at school and work, increased longevity, and more
As parents, we are role models for our children, so making family physical activity a priority sets a great precedent. But we also get something out of the deal. Role modeling helps keep us accountable for our own behavior. It can be very motivating to know that your child is watching.
Make exercise fun for kids with these easy activities
9 Ways Active Families Make Healthy Living Look Easy and Fun
for children, being introduced to healthy behaviors early is a gift. They are so ready to learn and retain new information and habits when they are young. Doing so will also help build your physical confidence . And everyone in the family can benefit from the bonding that comes from sharing active games and family meals.
Start with a Family Fitness Plan
The first step towards a fun and effective plan is a goal. Perhaps you are worried about the weight of his or your child. He may have noticed that his family's habits and hobbies tend to be sedentary rather than active.
Perhaps you have made a resolution (for the New Year, a birthday, or back to school ) to change your lifestyle. Maybe you're planning an active summer vacation , or your child wants to join a sports team and needs to get in shape. Whatever your reason, there are many ways to start improving your family's fitness .
Creating a family fitness plan doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. What it really means is a new commitment to add more activity to your life. It can be helpful to think of it as a challenge that you face together. Get to work sending the message that physical activity is a fun , healthy habit that makes you feel good , not a chore to endure. You can do this by:
Setting a good example: choose action over electronics whenever you can. Walk to the store instead of driving, take the stairs, and ditch the leaf blower in favor of a rake. Even if you're not athletic , you can still move!
Enjoy exercise: Whether it's a vigorous kickboxing class or a leisurely walk, let your child know how you feel after it's over. energized? Happier? Tired, but proud of what you achieved?
Start with a Family Fitness Plan
The first step towards a fun and effective plan is a goal. Perhaps you are worried about the weight of his or your child. He may have noticed that his family's habits and hobbies tend to be sedentary rather than active.
Perhaps you have made a resolution (for the New Year, a birthday, or back to school ) to change your lifestyle. Maybe you're planning an active summer vacation , or your child wants to join a sports team and needs to get in shape. Whatever your reason, there are many ways to start improving your family's fitness .
Creating a family fitness plan doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. What it really means is a new commitment to add more activity to your life. It can be helpful to think of it as a challenge that you face together. Get to work sending the message that physical activity is a fun , healthy habit that makes you feel good , not a chore to endure. You can do this by:
Setting a good example: choose action over electronics whenever you can. Walk to the store instead of driving, take the stairs, and ditch the leaf blower in favor of a rake. Even if you're not athletic , you can still move!
Enjoy exercise: Whether it's a vigorous kickboxing class or a leisurely walk, let your child know how you feel after it's over. energized? Happier? Tired, but proud of what you achieved?
Playing together: children love your attention. Take them to the playground, go out for a game of catch, or have a spontaneous dance party.
Praising effort, not results: Your child won't be able to ride a two-wheeler or sink a basket on their first try. To avoid frustration (in both inactive and active children), be sure to acknowledge how hard they are trying.
Offer positive reinforcement: If your child makes a healthy decision, observe it out loud. When you learn a new skill, record it on video and show it to your friends and family.
Asking her to teach you: is she a star skater or a water polo genius? Ask for a lesson! Active kids love to show off their expertise.
Don't fall into the trust trap, such as using exercise as a punishment, offering food as a reward, or using scare tactics. Instead of "If you watch too much TV, you'll get fat and sick," say something like, "Riding a bike helps strengthen your legs and heart."
If they are old enough, talk to your children about what you are doing and get their approval .
What are your favorite healthy snacks ? What fitness class would you like to take at your local community center? What family fitness goal can you work on together, and how might you reward each other?
Look at your schedule and try to add just a little bit of activity at a time , like 15 minutes, two or three days a week. That could mean walking to school , going for a bike ride, or playing in a quick backyard. Eventually work up to at least 150 minutes per week per family member.