It isn’t always easy to get your whole family (especially the kids!) interested in a healthy lifestyle. Here are some ideas to get the whole family up and moving.
- Planning a family vacation? Make an effort to walk or bike the distance in increments before you actually leave. For long trips, count up the total effort of the entire family; for shorter trips, try to encourage each person to go the distance before you depart.
- Think a marathon is too much? Children in Richardson, Texas jogged a marathon over the course of six months, and nearly 90% of those involved made it the whole 26.2 miles. Break a big challenge into smaller bites to help prevent injury and boredom.
- Make healthy stuff fun. When I was younger, I used to LOVE bike rides around the neighborhood with my father and brother. It didn’t seem like exercise at all! Try hopping, skipping, or jumping instead of just walking or jogging.
- Try variety. Hit a trail with exercise stations so you can break up the walk or run with stretches, chin-ups, and other routine-breakers.
- Play with cool gadgets. Your family may be fascinated by step counters or heart rate monitors, and how different kinds of exercise change the readouts.
- Get involved with a good cause. There are lots of walk-a-thons and fun runs that can get your family moving AND raise money for a favorite charity. Sign up as a team and coordinate your fundraising efforts.
- Pick your times wisely. A walk before dinner can help you unwind after work and give the kids a break from homework. An early morning stroll can give you a chance to catch the sunrise.
- Don’t forget the buddy system. Invite friends — how about a family with kids around your kids’ ages — to join you in your health efforts.