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Kids and Exercise

Everybody knows that being fit is important no matter what age you are and no matter what body type but did you know that the way adults define fitness and the way kids define it can be completely different?

How Do Kids View Exercise?
Kids do not define exercise the same way adults do. When we, as adults, think of how to exercise we think of jogging, lifting weights, doing Pilates or starting an aerobics program.

For a child exercise can be found in simply being active! This can be achieved by indulging in the simplest of activities such as playing tag, jumping rope, taking part in gym class, swimming, running around the playground or participating in sports activities such as soccer and basketball. It is important that we keep this in mind when we try to get them active.

How Do I get them Active?
It’s not as hard as you might think. The key element in getting kids to exercise is keeping it fun. When kids are having fun they don’t think of it as a chore and are more likely to participate. No matter how eager you are to see your kids more active, it is important that you do not make it a chore by pushing your kids into activities that don’t interest them or are more appropriate for adults. If you do this you will only frustrate the both of you and it’ll be only a matter of time before your child gets completely turned off any and every kind of exercise.

Here are A Few Tips:

Limit Screen Time:
The less time kids have sitting around the house, the more time they have for being active. Activities such as video games, watching television and being on the computer are fine in moderation but if your kids aren’t getting enough time to play and be active, they aren’t going to be healthy.
Play With your Kids:
If you have been doing it along with your kids, chances are they will be more involved in whatever activity you are doing. After all what’s more fun than spraying mom and dad with the hose or kicking their butts at basketball? It also means you are showing them that being active can be fun and that you enjoy it too. It sets a good example and gets you off the couch as well.
Make it a Family Trip:
Exercise can be easy once you understand that it doesn’t have to be a chore. One really great way to get exercise as a family is for you to plan a fun day trip. There are many things you can do with this idea and they all do not necessarily have to entail being super-active. You could go to the beach or the lake for a swim, take a picnic and walk through one of your area’s nature parks or just spend a few hours at the park or a zoo just having fun. Just walking around outdoors can do wonders for your kids and for you as well.

How much Exercise is Enough?
Children shouldn’t be inactive for more than a few hours other than sleep. It is best that kids and teens get at least 60 minutes of active exercise a day according to the American Academy of Pediatrics but it doesn’t have to be all in one bunch. If you can get the exercise in through 20 minute intervals of active play and activities like sports and walking or running you’ll meet these guidelines and not overtax your child’s attention span or energy levels.

What Are the Benefits?
Consistent exercise can help lower you child’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes, help them develop and tone muscle, reduce body fats and help them sleep better. Regular aerobic exercise helps the heart grow stronger and enhances oxygen supply to the body. It gives kids better overall physical health by encouraging their body to maintain a healthy level of function. Beginning a healthy exercise routine now can help your child to be a more active, healthy adult later. Be sure to include a healthy diet for the best results.