Healthy Family Fun

    As we prepare to enjoy another Thanksgiving Holiday filled with family, friends and plenty of good foods,  why not fit in some healthy family fun? If the weather permits, maybe you can get outdoors for a healthy walk or run in the fresh November air! Bring along a footbal or basketball to your family gathering.

   Why not amke family fitness time a habit you can enjoy together year round?   Set a few goals that you and your family can achieve. Encourage your family to come up with activity ideas  and set goals together. In the first few weeks, you may not achieve every goal, but if you stick with it, physical activity will become a part of your family’s routine.

Tip: Effective goals are specific, achievable and forgiving. "Exercise more" is a great idea, but "take a 30 minute walk" is more specific and easier to achieve.

To keep the momentum going, share your new activities, ideas, and tools with friends, neighbors and relatives. Invite them to join in and get moving too!

To keep the momentum going, share your new activities, ideas, and tools with friends, neighbors and relatives. Invite them to join in and get moving too!

There are countless ways to enjoy physical activity together as a family:

• Play tag, swim, toss a ball, jump rope, hula-hoop, dance to music—or even play a dancing video game. It doesn’t have to be sports, just get your family moving!
• Walk the dog, go for a jog, go on a bike ride, take the stairs, or head to the park and let kids run around for a while.
• Celebrate special occasions—birthdays, anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a volleyball or soccer game. Get that frisbee out of the closet for some healthy outdoor fun playing Frisbee in the park.
• Encourage the whole family to get involved in household chores, like cleaning, vacuuming and yard work.
• Park further away when you do your Christmas shopping - or wherever you go . Count the steps with your children it takes from the car to your destination. Write it down. See if you can park even further away on your next stop.
• Walk instead of drive, whenever you can. If you have to drive, find a spot at the far end of the parking lot–the most distant from you are going.
• Volunteer to coach or referee your childrens favorite sport. Encourage them to try new sports.
• Train as a family for a charity walk or run.

Read on for more healthy family tips.

Develop Healthy Habits Early

Practicing good fitness and eating habits early in life will help your child increase the chances of growing into a healthy adult.

Playing sports can motivate the couch potato or video game addict ( like my boys ). Encourage your children to play and enjoy whatever sports they show an interest in. Sports help fill up their idle time, minimize the habits of fast-food and relieve stress. Plus, the personal and emotional rewards can last a lifetime! They develop a better sense of self-esteem and important social skills.

Getting Started

The best sport for your child is one that she or he finds fun and interesting. To encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, you might casually expose your child to a variety of sports and physical activities and let the child's desires and abilities serve as your guide. Whether your child's interests are baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming or running- your child is likely to find a sport that he or she enjoys!

Your child is likely to enjoy a sport more if allowed to learn in a relaxed atmosphere while having fun and receiving support and encouragement from adults. Athletics for youngsters should be thought of as a means of entertainment and recreation. Adults shouldn't pressure a young child to focus only on winning even if exceptional promise is shown.

A young athlete who might show natural talent in a particular sport must work hard and show dedication in order to succeed. Any child can learn and improve with positive support and coaching. A child learns by example. Much of what is seen and heard, and how the child is treated-on the field and off-can have lasting effects. An atmosphere that is fun and educational is likely to promote healthy self-esteem in your children!

Give your child the gift of healthy living!