Gabriel Adams asked:
As parents, we are often concerned with the health of our child or children. A healthy diet and exercise are two of the main concerns that top the list of many. Unfortunately, with all of the game systems and computer technology of today, it seems like children are more driven to sit around the home instead of actually doing something that requires any great deal of movement. Exercise, however, is necessary for a child to be able to grow to their full potential and acquire a strong and healthy body type versus one that is fragile and unable to adapt to any future changes that may occur.
For exercise to be exiting for the child, you must make it that way. Take pride in your own exercise routine and allow your child to see that. All too often, we rush around the house to get the kids ready for school; making lunches, checking to make sure homework is in place, assuring them that you will see them after school and that, yes, tomorrow they can have a Lunchable instead of the PB&J that they will be enjoying today. Exercise is often not on our minds at that time of the day but it should be. If your kids wake up and see you taking the time out of your day to ensure your own health, they are more likely to eventually adopt the same beliefs. Keep in mind that your exercise routine does not have to be anything difficult – a good run on the treadmill or 20 minutes on the elliptical machine should do just fine, even following along with one of the aerobics shows on television will encourage not only your child but you as well.
Exercise will help build your child’s bones and muscles; making them stronger and much more healthy. Ask them to join you in exercising. You may even decide to purchase a fitness club membership for the whole family to enjoy on set days throughout the week. Fitness clubs often offer several aerobics, kickboxing, water aerobics, yoga and various other classes of interest and many offer the use of the pool, which a lot of children enjoy the most! Whatever seems to spark their interest the most should be integrated and developed into a regular exercise routine.
Exercise can be fun if you make it fun. You could even ask the kids to come up with a new dance routine that you can all practice once a week because dancing is considered a very good form of exercise. In this method, you can allow your kids to pick the song and the moves and you can all perform them together until you have it mastered. Then, you would be able to move on to another routine. Your children will surely enjoy having a chance to be so creative and you will worry less about them getting the proper amount of exercise.
Excercise is a great foundation for a healthy life for your child – plus, your child is starting habits that will stay with them for the rest of their life.