Do your kids have couch potato syndrome? Do they prefer playing video games or surfing the internet rather than engaging in sports and other outdoor activities? You know exercise is crucial to your child’s physical and mental health. But just like many parents out there, you are sometimes guilty of not exercising because of a lack of time and energy. If you want to motivate your children to stay active, here are 5 tips for you:
1.Arrange an outdoor adventure.
Going out with your family at least once a week is one great way to keep them physically active. Encourage them to swim, bike, or hike. You can also arrange an outdoor picnic. Don’t forget to bring some healthy snacks like fruits, veggies, and milk so they get to sustain their energy during such exciting and fun-filled adventures!
2.Adopt healthy eating habits.
Studies show that families who eat healthy foods tend to employ healthier habits like regular exercise. Traditionally, mums plan and prepare the meals. But you can always involve the whole family, from food shopping to cooking! Allow your kids to pick their own fruits and vegetables. Instead of playing video games while waiting for the dinner, let your kids help you prepare the meals. Surely, they will enjoy eating the foods they themselves prepared!
3.Re-arrange your family room.
You may not notice it but your family room could be tempting your little ones to stay inactive. Look around and you will find that soft, comfy couch, a shelf of DVDs, huge television and game consoles, and other stuff that promote inactivity. Fitness experts recommend overhauling the family room to encourage not just children but even the older members of the family to exercise. Maybe you can add one huge exercising machine such as a stationary bike or a treadmill somewhere in your family room. Setting a time limit in viewing hours is also helpful in keeping the whole family moving and sweating.
4.Make house chores a fun activity.
House cleaning is one of the best forms of exercise. But often, kids are too lazy to do them because they think house chores are boring and tiring. But if you can devise a strategy to reverse their perception and can encourage your kids to keep moving. Instead of delegating each member of the family a specific responsibility to do, make the task a fun and challenging activity. For instance, let your kids compete as to the time spent on cleaning. Turn on the music so they can sing and dance while they mop the floor or fold the clothes. Be sure to prepare some delicious yet healthy snacks for your cute little workers!
5.Attend a fitness class together.
Gyms aren’t just for mum and dad. There are fitness programs that are tailored for kids as well. Look for aerobics or yoga centres that offer classes to parents and kids together. If you want your children to engage in a healthy lifestyle, you should be their role model.
