Getting Your Kids To Exercise
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These
days it seems that everything negative about being a kid is on the rise,
while the good things are disappearing. I remember waking up on Saturday
mornings, eating a quick breakfast, and jumping on my bike and riding to
the park with my two older brothers. There, we would always find enough
other kids for a pick-up baseball game or a long day of street hockey in
the parking lot of the nearby school. It didn't take a single phone call
to know we'd be playing all day, and it certainly didn't take a computer
to make our plans. Now I watch my teenage daughter wake up on Saturdays,
never having any plans, and sitting around waiting for the phone to ring
or her instant messenger box to pop up on the computer screen. I, like
the majority of parents, struggle for ways to keep her active,
motivated, and generally happy.
But what can we do?
It turns out there's plenty we can do. The most important thing is be a
good role model. We've heard that advice a million times, but what does
it mean? Put simply, let your kids see you having fun and enjoying an
active lifestyle. Figure out what they enjoy, and find ways to
incorporate that into your daily life. Does your 6-year-old love
dinosaurs? Spend the day walking around museums. Sure, it's not the most
intense workout, but it keeps the whole family up, active, and out of
the house. Even better, plan a hike and pack a book or two about his
favorite topics in your backpack. That way, when you stop for a rest you
can read a book together and enjoy the quiet of the great outdoors. Make
it fun, and make sure you take their interests into account when
planning your weekend.
Most importantly, let your kids know (by showing them through your
actions) that you value your health and that they should do the same.
Active children are less likely to smoke or drink as teenagers, and are
more likely to become active adults. Like you!
by: Daniel Green
Daniel Green is the Managing Editor for the
American Council on Exercise (ACE) and an ACE-certified Lifestyle &
Weight Management Consultant. He is also a Contributing Editor to both
ACE Fitness Matters and ACE Certified News.
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