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 Fitness Q&A: Encouraging Family Fitness
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Q: I have been attending Baby Boot Camp for two years and love it, but am curious how can I encourage my partner and 10-year-old to get fit, too?
A: It is always a challenge to be active and start an exercise routine, especially if your family is not so inclined to get off the couch. However, there are plenty of fun activities that can get kids moving without using the work “exercise.” A great way to inspire kids to maintain an active lifestyle is to lead by example and attend Baby Boot Camp.
Some additional ways to encourage an active family:
- Make an appointment each weekend for the family to be active together. Get creative: Find a hiking trail to spot new animals, go on an adventure to a waterfall, take a trip to the track to practice roller-blading. Whatever activity you choose, just make sure that everyone in family can participate.
- At the beginning of the month, have each family member pick two NEW activities they would like to try. Schedule them on the calendar to be completed by month’s end.
- Create a family fitness journal. Write memories from certain activities – for example: Cole, age 4, ran 2 miles today while Mom pushed Kellan in the jogger. Each time you try a new sport, take a photo and add it to the journal. Beyond tracking your family’s accomplishments, the journal can become a keepsake of your family time.
- When doing errands, use your bodies as a means of transportation instead of your vehicle. Kids can walk farther than parents give them credit for, and the more they walk, the more active and healthy they will be. Why not make it a game and race your kids from point A to point B? Or try Red Light-Green Light.
- As a family, write down your health and fitness goals. Keep one another on track and encourage activity in a fun and easy way. You are helping your children become healthy and active kids and adults with what you do every day, and since you are already off to a good start, you are half way there. Have fun!
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