The benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle from an early age are well-known. The advantages range from physical to psychological and social, and can’t be emphasized enough. However, helping their children stay active and promoting a love of sports can be tricky for most parents. This is especially true of those people who didn’t grow up with the same values themselves. If you’re struggling with sticking to your fitness and diet regimen, the chances are your children will too.
Things get even more complicated when you take into account all the responsibilities a modern family typically has, from pushing for career success to maintaining a busy social schedule. However, with some helpful tips, you’ll realize that establishing healthy habits for the whole family isn’t as hard as it may initially seem.
How do we get fit as a family?
The key to helping all family members feel better and keep the doctor away is to turn fitness into fun. If you reframe physical activity as something enjoyable and relaxing instead of yet another chore on your to-do list, you’ll crave doing it more and more. When you find things pleasant, you gravitate toward them naturally and don’t need any convincing to do them. This is why you’ll have no problem keeping up with your fitness routine.
An excellent way to make things more fun for everyone in the family regardless of age is to exercise together. Here are a few tips to help you put this into practice:
1. Go for a walk
Not only will you be exercising as a team, but you’ll also get the time to share the day’s events and bond. Whether you do it in your neighborhood or out in nature, it can be a great way to unwind and get your heartbeat up. Walking is amazing for cardiovascular health and it also builds muscle strength over time. Just make sure you don’t always just stroll casually – pick up the pace from time to time and it may eventually lead you to jogging.
2. Learn a sport
Is there a sport you always wished you did, but never got around to learning how? Maybe you even bought some of the equipment and it just ended up at the back of the garage for years? If you can get your spouse and children to share the same passion, you can take a class and learn it together. There are specialized indoor playgrounds and kids’ gyms that can help you.
3. Throw dance parties
What’s more fun than dancing around to your favorite music with your loved ones? Play something upbeat and have a dance-off. Children absolutely love moving to music and showing off their coolest moves. Whether it’s dabbing, flossing, or another viral dance move, children enjoy trying them out and teaching you too!
4. Be active while you do other things
Making small changes in your everyday life can make a huge difference. Something as simple as walking to the store instead of driving or climbing up the stairs instead of taking an elevator can be quite effective. These activities can be made more fun by adding some competitive flair to them. For example, your kids can race home to see who gets there first.
5. Breathe in the fresh air
Spending time outdoors will help your children’s mood, concentration, and overall health apart from being physically stimulating. It can be anything from hiking in the nearby woods to gardening in your backyard. Other ideas include riding a bike, skateboarding, and making a snowman in winter. Whatever you choose, staying away from screens and having some outdoor fun will do the children good.