By Amber Bishop
Fitness for children is an important part of a healthy childhood. Studies show that obesity in children is growing at an alarming rate. It can be a real struggle getting a young child interested in exercising and then sticking with it, if it has not been a normal part of their daily routine. In most cases you need to take matters into your own hands and plan some fun exercise activities. There are three easy tips that you can implement into your families lifestyle that will make fitness an everyday affair.
Firstly, limit the amount of time your child watches television a day. Not only will this increase their critical thinking skills and help them engage in the world around them but it will give them a reason to get up and move. It is the same for playing video games and surfing the Internet. Plan interactive, engaging family outings like going to a museum, state parks, zoos, and aquariums. Most cities offer great free outdoor activities for the whole family. These places require that you do a significant amount of walking and that is the best know low impact exercise we know of. Combining educational and healthy activities keeps your children's minds off exercising.
Secondly, enroll your child in a structured activity that he or she enjoys. Tennis, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, dance, marital arts, fencing basketball are all great options. They can be team related or individual sports but something that they have to be at every week will make exercising a life long habit. Join a local health club that is family friendly. Make exercise a family affair.
Lastly, cut out fast food junk food in your child's diet. Slowly cut back so that over time your child has been weaned of fast food junk food. These "chain" food stores offer lower quality food, high in fat and salt which are not good for an overall healthy lifestyle. Begin substituting soda and fires with healthier choices, and then slowly begin eating home more or packing a "brown bag" lunch. Your child's weight and your pocketbook will thank you.
Firstly, limit the amount of time your child watches television a day. Not only will this increase their critical thinking skills and help them engage in the world around them but it will give them a reason to get up and move. It is the same for playing video games and surfing the Internet. Plan interactive, engaging family outings like going to a museum, state parks, zoos, and aquariums. Most cities offer great free outdoor activities for the whole family. These places require that you do a significant amount of walking and that is the best know low impact exercise we know of. Combining educational and healthy activities keeps your children's minds off exercising.
Secondly, enroll your child in a structured activity that he or she enjoys. Tennis, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, dance, marital arts, fencing basketball are all great options. They can be team related or individual sports but something that they have to be at every week will make exercising a life long habit. Join a local health club that is family friendly. Make exercise a family affair.
Lastly, cut out fast food junk food in your child's diet. Slowly cut back so that over time your child has been weaned of fast food junk food. These "chain" food stores offer lower quality food, high in fat and salt which are not good for an overall healthy lifestyle. Begin substituting soda and fires with healthier choices, and then slowly begin eating home more or packing a "brown bag" lunch. Your child's weight and your pocketbook will thank you.
Amber Bishop is the co-founder of [http://www.SmartMoms-SmartBusiness.com] and http://www.smartmoms.freeforums.org online resources for work at home moms. She is also the owner of http://www.homeschool-diva.com She stays home and home schools her three children while building a successful home based business.
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