Post written by Sherri Kruger.
So you want to get fit. But the thought of crowded gyms, smelly locker rooms and time away from your family doesn't exactly get you motivated.
There are many ways you can get fit as a family and have fun while doing it. Some of my favorite ways to get active with the kids don't involve structured routines on strict time lines. They require a good positive attitude and a lot of energy. Here are my top 10 ways to get fit and have fun with my family.
1. Disorganized sport. You don't need to join a team or gather the neighborhood just get outside. Kick the soccer ball around, throw the baseball for a while, shoot a few hoops or set up a net for a game of volleyball or badminton. You don't have to keep score just have fun and get moving.
2. Tag. This is a great game that can help build endurance, improve agility and coordination. If there are several of you make it interesting by setting up a home base with a flag that you have to defend. The goal is to capture the other teams flag and return it to your home base before you get tagged.
3. Dancing. I don't mean slow dancing or standing still and nodding your head to the beat. I mean dancing. Get up and move. Jump with your arms in the air, polka or two step. The more you bounce and jump around the better you'll feel, more energized, young and vibrant. You're sure to work up a sweat and the kids too!
4. Jump rope. Single rope, double dutch, tandem or alone jump rope is great for improving cardio endurance, agility and coordination. Go fast or slow whatever works for you. It's amazing how much energy it takes to do something so seemingly simple.
5. Obstacle course. Set up boxes, tubes, stairs, tires, hula hoops, cushions whatever you have in the house or garage. Set them up as obstacles to climb up, go over, around and through. The more you have to change from positions low to the ground to those higher up the more energy you're using. Smile, have fun and encourage your kids. Help them up or down if some obstacles are too challenging.
6. Bike ride. This is a lovely way to get out and explore your town or city. You can expend some of that pent up energy and see things you may have missed as you whizzed past in your car.
7. Pull the wagon. This is my favorite thing to do with the wee ones. You can walk as fast as you like and you have the extra weight of a kid or two to pull along behind you. You can meet new people, stop and chat and the kids can easily get out and explore if you find somewhere interesting. This works well in the winter as well. Bundle up and put the kids on a sled and pull them around.
8. Build a snow man. This is a lot of fun and actually requires a lot of work. If you've ever made a snowman you know what I'm talking about. Walking through knee high snow is hard work. Rolling three balls of snow to make a six foot snowman while walking through knee high snow is even tougher.
9. Skating. Roller skating, roller blading or ice skating these are all fun ways to get the whole family out and moving. It helps develop coordination and improve balance. It can be peaceful and quiet and doesn't require a big investment to begin.
10. Skiing. Snow skiing or water skiing it doesn't matter, they are both forms of great exercise and are good ways to enjoy the great outdoors with your family. Make a day of it and explore a park that you haven't been to before. Bring along some hot chocolate and trail mix if snow skiing or lemonade and fruit if water skiing is more your thing.
When you're tired, rest. When you're thirsty, drink water. Listen to your body. Being fit is a lifestyle choice. Make an effort to incorporate some sort of physical activity into your family routine everyday. Getting active as a family is a great way to bond, have a laugh and create lasting memories. So smile, keep it light, have fun and get moving.
How do you stay active with your family and have fun at the same time?
Found at http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net |
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