Getting up off the couch for the whole family
Obesity rates continue to soar as adults and children neglect physical activity and spend more time eating out. With busy schedules and so much to do, our days have become jam packed with everything except exercise. Getting up off the couch for the whole family means more than just moving from the couch to the dinner table. And believe it or not, you shouldn't have to threaten or bribe them to get physically active. If you plan it right, your family will be jumping at the chance to get off the couch and out of the house. Here are some tips to getting your family off the couch and more active together.
Tip #1: Find some Exercise videos
Since most kids enjoy watching television, why not take advantage of that. Especially during those cold winter months when going outside isn't really an option, grab an exercise video that everyone can do together. If you have small kids there are some really fun exercise videos you can get from the library with television characters. This can make working out really fun. If they're older and you have access to programs that run on the play station, or the Wii you can turn on some Dance Dance Revolution, or another similar program to get them into it. You'll be surprised at how much kids get into playing fun exercise games.
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Tip #2: Coordinate with your community
Most communities will offer classes for children and adults that they can participate in. From soccer, to dancing and gymnastics, or something else they enjoy. If you don't have any ideas then look to your community for some fun things. You can enjoy them as families, or you can do them on your own. The best part about getting involved with the community is that it is a lot less expensive than private places.
Tip #3: Sign up for some extra curricular activities
These activities can be within your community or through another access you may have, but signing up for extra curricular activities like softball teams, or soccer leagues can be fun for families and good exercise. It sure beats sitting around watching TV all day long.
Tip #4: Make up some family games or competitions
Kids love playing games so try teaching them some of the fun games you played when you were young or playing a game they have made up at school. Kids also love to compete (although friendly competition is strongly encouraged) to have some races with them, use some hula hoops, or have a tug of war.
Tip #5: Go to the swimming pool
What kid doesn't love to swim? I'm not sure there are any that wouldn't jump at the chance to get in the water and swim around. Swimming is one of the best ways to exercise, not to mention tire you out. You won't have to try very hard to get them to bed at night if you spend a few hours swimming. The great part about swimming is that most communities have an indoor and an outdoor pool so you can do this activity all year round.
There are so many benefits to physical activity. Besides the fact that it gets your body moving, it also helps to keep energy up, relieve stress and anxiety, and burns calories at the same time. Getting up off the couch for the whole family doesn't have to be a chore; in fact it should be something that everyone enjoys and it won't even feel like you're exercising. The best kind of physical activity is the kind that doesn't really feel like exercise so get creative and get off the couch.
