| There are a lot of options to increase a child's | | | | This need not be limited to indoor activities; you |
| physical activity levels, and those of the family as | | | | have a wide choice of outdoor activities that you |
| well, in a fun and enjoyable way. | | | | can choose from, such as hiking, walking, |
| Here are 3 fun ways to increase children's physical | | | | basketball, rollerblading, roller skating, bicycling, |
| activity levels that can be tailored as you deem | | | | swimming, playing Frisbee or any other activity of |
| best for your family. | | | | interest. |
| 1. Household Chores | | | | Go to the nearest sports store and get a few |
| The mere mention of household chores sends | | | | pieces of simple, inexpensive equipment. This can |
| everyone scurrying for cover. Believe it or not | | | | be jump rope, dumbbells, resistance bands or |
| household chores can be fun. Here's how: | | | | anything else along these lines. Since TV |
| On small pieces of paper jot down a chore and an | | | | commercials are rarely of interest, use this time |
| exercise associated with it. Throw them into a | | | | to have everyone alternate in doing a few simple |
| bag or hat and have everyone pick one. | | | | exercises. |
| For example, if I get the bathroom, I may have | | | | 3. A Family Affair |
| to do four jumping jacks every few minutes, or if | | | | Set a goal for fitness of the family as a unit using |
| Johny gets to sweep or mop the kitchen floor he | | | | a scale from 0 to 7. |
| has to run in place for a minute every five | | | | A zero score for a particular day means that |
| minutes or whatever interval you decide on. The | | | | person did not do anything, a 7 means they |
| combinations are endless. | | | | exercised every day. At the end of the week |
| 2. Family Workout Night | | | | add up each persons scores, then get a total by |
| Pick an evening as the family workout night. Then | | | | adding up all individual scores. Then divide that |
| each week have a different person put together | | | | number by the number of members in the family. |
| a workout that the whole family will do together. | | | | If a preset goal was met, all can be rewarded by |
| Depending on the age of the child you may have | | | | a night out for a healthy dinner. |
| to provide some guidance for coming up with a | | | | Encourage exercise in children by being a role |
| workout that covers the major muscle groups. | | | | model, be consistent and make it fun. These |
| With time the workouts can gradually increase in | | | | activities will instill discipline, goal setting, and the |
| difficulty levels. Don't push this aspect to hard | | | | importance of health well into adulthood. They will |
| though as it will only frustrate and discourage the | | | | also help the family to form a closer bond. |
| child. | | | | |