Stay healthy and keep moving

Now that Summer is over and the family routine goes back to normal, we might find ourselves easing back to our sedentary lifestyle in front of the computer for hours at a time.  The kids are also sitting down for class and homework more.  One of the important elements of staying healthy during the flu season is to get enough exercise regularly.   Incorporating fitness activities into your family routine not only can promote a healthy lifestyle but can also strengthen the bond among family members.

Everyone has a say

Involve everyone in the family when deciding which activities to pursue, taking into consideration each person’s interests, abilities, and preferences.  My husband and I picked up boxing six years ago and it has become our weekly workout ever since.  The kids would love to learn too, but due to their school schedule, they were not able to join our workout sessions on weeknights.  But we made it a point to have some family boxing sessions whenever possible on weekends and when they have their long school holidays. They really enjoy them, after all, who wouldn’t want the chance to “spar” with their parents and try to get a punch through every now and then? 😉 I think this helps to establish a more “balanced” relationship between us as a family and encourages the children to be more self-confident.  

Set challenges and goals

Incorporate friendly challenges or goals into your family fitness routine. It could be completing a certain number of steps, improving a specific skill, or achieving a collective fitness milestone. Creating a sense of achievement and progress encourages motivation and engagement for the entire family.  If your family is new to regular physical activity, begin with simple and achievable activities. Start with short walks or bike rides and gradually increase the intensity and duration as fitness levels improve. In order to get our family to move more, we started to replace short-distance car commutes in the city by walking.  We got some resistance from the kids in the beginning, but once we got used to the exercise, we managed to increase the distance a little bit at a time.  We then moved on to hiking on the trails, bringing our dog along and making it a family day out.  So, setting realistic goals ensures a positive experience for everyone involved definitely helps.  

Active recreation

Let’s make our family recreation more active by choosing activities that involve movement. Instead of watching a movie at home, consider swimming, rollerblading, or trampolining as options to keep everyone engaged and physically active. These sports not only provide an excellent workout but also offer opportunities for bonding and building trust.  Try to vary the activities to keep things exciting, they also target different muscle groups and promote overall fitness.  Why not unleash your inner dancer and let the rhythm move your family? Turn up the music and have spontaneous dance parties in your living room. Alternatively, consider enrolling in dance classes that cater to all ages and skill levels. Whether it's salsa, tap, hip-hop, or ballet, dancing not only improves cardiovascular health but also boosts coordination, flexibility, and self-expression. Plus, it's a great way to let loose, laugh, and create lasting memories together.

Family fitness activities are a wonderful way to spend quality time together while prioritizing your health and well-being, but as parents, we should lead by example. We can demonstrate our commitment to fitness by actively participating in family activities and maintaining our own exercise routine. Hopefully, our enthusiasm and dedication will inspire and motivate the children to also prioritize their health and well-being.  So, get creative, have fun, and embark on this fitness journey together, creating fond memories and fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for the whole family.

Stay Sparky!