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Off the Couch
Summer Fitness for Kids
By Amy Carey
Kuntzleman adds that parents can encourage their kids to exercise by setting a good example and being active alongside their kids. Incorporating exercise – like a hike, bike ride or canoe trip – into a family vacation is a great way to interest the whole family in being fit. "Make activity a part of your family life," he says.
Kathy, a mother of one in Rhoadesville, Va., feels she has already instilled in her daughter that walking is not only fun, but also healthy. "We walk everywhere we can. And she loves it. When it rains, we walk around the mall or stores to stay active," she says. Danger also finds herself modeling a love of physical activity for her daughter. "I love swimming, so I take her to the pool and the lake in the summer. My husband I both enjoy walking and biking, so we do that as a family," she says.
Even if you're not in the habit of exercising or think you're too busy to model fitness for your kids, this summer is a good time to start. "Though I work full time, I take daily walks at home, as late as 9 p.m., to fit in my physical activity," says Hilfstein. "During the summer, my two older kids will join me on my walks with their bikes or Roller blades." Not only does an active family enjoy better health, but participating in a variety of physical activities can help parents and kids find more time to spend together than if everyone was glued to the TV all summer.
The habits you start with your kids today will last beyond the final swim of summer. Understand the importance of physical fitness and get moving. Your kids will reap the benefits for a lifetime.