Do you worry that your kids don’t get enough physical activity in their lives? Are they sitting around playing video games, on their phones, or binging on Netflix? With the advances in technology and the endless ways to entertain and distract kids and adults, without getting off the couch, it’s no real surprise that the world is becoming less active and as a result seeing an increase in health issues even for the young. Are you setting a good example of a healthy active lifestyle for your kids?
Do you think kids learn by listening to what their parents tell them? I know mine don’t listen to half the stuff I say. They’ve gotten pretty good at tuning me out. If you really want to teach your children something, you’re probably going to have to show them. You can’t just say, “Go outside and run around” while you sit on the couch and watch TV. You’re going to have to lead by example, show them the benefits of being active.
Lead by example, get out and exercise with them
Going by, “do as I say, not as I do”, just isn’t going to work. They need to see you being active. They need to see you enjoying moving your body and making fitness a part of your life. If you’re working out , but complaining the entire time, then you haven’t picked the right activity for you and your kids aren’t going to be encouraged to get moving either.
Who says you have to stick to the traditional workouts to achieve fitness? Be a kid again with your kids! Go outside, play some catch, make an obstacle course and take turns trying it out, or play tag. Make it fun! Nobody ever said exercise has to be boring.
Combining quality family time with exercise will improve the mental and physical health of the whole family. If your kids are older and not into the games, try taking turns picking activities to do together. Who knows, maybe they’ll come up with something that you might not have thought of on your own that’s fun. My kids had me playing Gaga ball on the trampoline with them last week.
Even if your kids aren’t into it right away, just keep setting the example. Let them see you moving more often and enjoying it, and eventually they may follow suit. After all, most of what kids learn as they grow is through watching the world around them. It’s up to you what they are seeing and therefore learning in their own household. Who doesn’t want their kids to adopt a healthy lifestyle early on and continue as an adult?
I would love to hear about any ways you were able to set a better example and get your family moving. Let me know what worked for you.
