By Sharon Barbano, M.Ed.
If you have kids, the benefits of sports and fitness double just by sharing your activities and enthusiasm with them. From a very early age, children pick up their parents' habits and behaviors. If you make sports and fitness a family activity, you'll be establishing healthy lifestyle patterns that your child will carry into adulthood. But how do you squeeze in fitness activities when time is already a precious commodity for your family?
- Plan time on the weekend for family fitness activities. Explore local parks with easy hikes and nature walks. Play follow the leader, ensuring a fun, full-body workout for the whole family. Include jumping, skipping, running and stretching.
- If your child is still a toddler, a well-made jogging stroller will let you enjoy a great workout while walking or running. Stay on sidewalks or smooth park paths. Never use a conventional stroller for this type of activity.
- As a working parent, try to use lunchtime as your time. Three days a week, change into good walking shoes and enjoy a walk around town, or if the weather is bad, a nearby mall. Pack a healthy lunch that you can eat at your desk afterwards.
- Organize a group of parents who will take turns watching the kids while the others go out to run or walk.
- Join a YMCA/YWCA or health club that offers child care. Better yet, look for one that offers an activity program for your children while you're exercising.
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A majority (51%) of women's regular activity consists of a “fitness workout such as aerobics, step and stretching activities.” Other activities include: “sports with their children” (28%), “sports as a couple” (21%) and non-team sports such as tennis or golf” (16%).Choices“Making time for exercise has rewarded me in many ways, and learning to balance work, play and exercise has been a challenge that I have proudly accepted.” -Anita CharlesEvery day the search for balance continues. Appointment books get filled and lists get checked off. We say "yes" when we mean "no." We try to find time, but there is none available.
It all comes down to choices and adhering to a new sense of priorities. If you add something to one part of your life, sooner or later you'll have to take something away from another. By choosing a healthy lifestyle, you are eliminating negative stress and distractions from your life. By enjoying sports and fitness as a family, everyone is benefiting. By being fit, you will have the stamina to stay in the game, better able to handle the fast balls that life constantly throws at you.
Take care of yourself. Enjoy your family and friends. Listen to your body and soul, and feed both of them well. Take a mental break when needed. Learn the best way to rest and energize. Work hard. Sleep soundly. Your life depends on the choices you make. Choose well.