Photo Credit: criswatk
Exercising as a family is something that can change your life – for the better. With obesity rampant and health problems on the rise, you must take matters into your own hands to protect your family from the devastating effects of little or no exercise. Turning off the television, video games, and cell phones and getting active outside is a great way to take a stand against a sedentary lifestyle. The following are a few suggestions on how to get your family fit and active through fun activities. If you don’t mention the exercise, chances are they won’t even realize that they are doing it!
Going for weekly hikes. Hiking is a great family activity that requires tons of energy. Get in a good workout by taking on the local hiking trails in your area. This can be especially beneficial for those who live in mountainous areas. Choose a trail that the entire family can tackle. Pack a lunch to take along for the outing to make it extra special.
Training as a family for local 5k events. Running is a great way to get into shape. Set a goal to run the next 5k event that comes to your area. Sign up, pay your fees, and add it to the calendar. Choose a few days a week for the family to go to the track and train for the 5k. Being at least 2 months before the race to be in the best shape possible. On race day, make crossing the finish line as a family your main goal. After the first 5k, set a goal to beat your previous time with each and every event your family runs in.
Challenge another family to a game of basketball. Help get other families active by participating in organized sports. Ask the neighboring family if they would like to play a game of basketball. A little friendly competition goes a long way in getting fit. Make sure all the family members are involved.
Spend the day at the lake. This sounds leisurely and relaxing, right? Actually, a day at the lake can be spent exercising as a family. Swimming, hiking, rowing, and biking are all activities that a family can do together while at the lake. Trade in the lawn chairs and the hamburger spatula for movement! The kids will be having fun while exercising.
Spend the evening at the skating rink. Skating burns tons of calories. Schedule a trip for the entire family to the skating rink and spend a few hours rocking and rolling. Dad may be a bit shy at first but don’t let him relent! Make it a requirement that all family members skate. This will be great fun and plenty of exercise for everyone.
Gardening. Kids love to get down and dirty. Choose a Saturday and get busy beautifying your yard. Purchase plants, paving stones, etc. and plan for the entire family to give the yard a facelift. This provides quality family time together and gets children involved in nature. It provides plenty of exercise, too.
Exercising as a family does not have to be spent doing jumping jacks or squats. There are many fun activities out there for your family to enjoy. The point is really not “exercising.” It is getting active! How will you change the life of your family members? Use the activities above to get your family up and moving. Take a stand against a sedentary lifestyle today.
Olivia Nicholas is a writer, blogger and mom. She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.
I like all of these ideas. Especially the one about the 5k locally they have a kids running program that’s affiliated with the Big Sur International Marathon that called the Just Run Program and it’s a series of local 5K races. Also I like to take the kids on hikes and for bike rides and just remember to tell them to go outside and play sometimes.
One thing also that helps for me is that the kids in my home have to be involved in something be it dance, swimming, soccer whatever so it helps them to be active and not just sitting at home in front of the television.
As we all know exercise is really important for our health and it would be great if we do activities such as this with the whole family. And you were able to share good tips on how to spend time with them while making sure that everyone enjoys doing a worthwhile activity.
Thank you for the kind comments!
@Mike: I love running together as a family. While my kids are not too competitive just yet, when we all go out for a run it inevitably ends up as a race.
@Mikaila: That is exactly the point, its like 3 birds with one stone! You get the family out of the house together, doing something great for their health and having fun all at the same time!
I think physical exercise is very important in family, as well as motivate one another increases the companionship and everything is more fun. Doing exercises with my children makes me very happy and I really like and of course the kids have fun too.