In this day and age, going outside to play just seems like something we used to do when we were kids. Biking, roller skating and hide-n-seek are becoming a thing of the past and being replaced by things like watching television, playing Guitar Hero, and surfing the net. Sadly, children are becoming more sedentary and they spend longer amounts of time in front of a screen and less time doing physical activities. As a result, kids are heavier than they’re ever been and child obesity is of great concern.
Prior to the digital age, children were eager to go out and play, unknowingly engaging in physical activity that burned off the calories they consumed in meals and snacks. Full of energy and eager to use their imagination, children played games for hours on end with their friends, begging for just a few more minutes before they had to return to their homes to have with their families.
Those days are quickly becoming a thing of the past. The lives of children are changing and there is a considerable difference between then and now. In fact, some kids loathe going outside to play. They spend hours upon hours playing video games or watching television, and more often than not, eating their breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in front of it. Their energy is gone and replaced by a lethargic feeling brought on by excessive amounts of junk food eaten between meals. This unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle doesn’t have to be a reality for your children.
Get them involved in physical activity! It not only keeps childhood obesity at bay, it will make them feel better and have more energy to do the things they love to do.
Your health is important to you. You probably work out or exercise on a daily basis and eat foods that help you maintain your fitness. Why not involve your kids? If you find that you’re going for a walk in the evenings just to get some exercise, bring your kids along with you. Not only will everyone get some exercise, but you’ll also be able to spend quality time together. It may be a struggle to get the family on the same page at first, but after awhile they’ll all look forward to it.
Maybe your kids prefer to play video games like Madden ’07 or NBA Shootout. If that’s the case, get them outside for some more family fun. You can toss around a football or have punt/pass/kick contests. Play a pickup game of basketball or see who has the best shot with a game of “horse.”
Your kids can also workout with you at home. If you already have fitness equipment like a treadmill or a bike, you can teach your kids how to use them – as long as they’re supervised! They can even watch their favorite television shows while they exercise.
All of these things, combined with good eating habits, will keep you and your family healthy, happy and fit. With a little planning and a little motivation, you’ll be able to spend more time with your kids and help them fight obesity at the same time. They’ll thank you for it later!
