childhood obesity

Making Family Fitness Fun

Adults aren’t the only ones who are suffering from the obesity epidemic. All you have to do is look around a playground to see that kids are falling victim to it as well. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children the importance of fitness and nutrition. While schools can certainly play a role in education, they can’t be expected to raise our kids. Parents have to take the time and initiative to show children that being healthy is not only necessary, but can be fun. Taking time for family fitness is a great way of doing this.
 
Children associate the word exercise with sweat and panting. They rarely, unless they are already fit, look forward to physical exercise. Similar to forcing a child to eat brussel sprouts, forcing a child to go for a jog often backfires and winds up increasing their resentment. What if exercise was made a family effort though? If you could incorporate family fitness into your household it would not only serve the inactive child, but also create a great environment for quality time.
 
Family fitness does not have to be focused on the exercise, but rather the family-time. A game of flag football in the backyard or a group bike ride through the neighborhood is a great way to get your family active. Weekend hikes at local parks and a game of Frisbee after dinner are also good ways of getting some quality family fitness in with little effort.

By seemingly taking the focus off of the work and putting it on the fun, you are able to get the whole family involved in a family fitness program without as much effort. As the weather changes, there will be less opportunities for outdoor activities and you will have to become more creative in your efforts. While a basketball game at the local gym is a great idea, you may want to try something like Hip Hop Abs, or Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club for the younger members of your family.

Choosing a fitness DVD to present to your family can be a bit more of a challenge because there is no mistaking: it is exercise. However, if you choose workouts with lots of music and fun, your kids are more likely to enjoy it. Also, make sure that the entire family is involved. A child will quickly lose interest if they feel like they are getting tricked into exercise. Imagine the laughs when the kids watch Dad getting down to Hip Hop Abs!

Exercise is a great way for families to stay fit. It also provides an excellent opportunity for quality family time in a busy, busy world. Making time for a family fitness program can benefit the health of you, your children, spouse and the health of your home.

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How to Choose the Right Kid Workout Video

Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. Kids are accustomed to sitting in front of the television, computer, or video games and taking little time to stay fit. Kids don’t think about exercising and it is rare for parents to consider a kids workout video. But for today’s children, sometimes it is the perfect high tech childhood fitness solution.
 
Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club provides the kind of fitness that children will enjoy. They will enjoy it because it is fun! Simple dance moves set to rousing music will get children moving and sweating without making them feel like they are doing dull repetitious exercises. Kid workout videos must be created for kids, not simply repackaged and re-titled.
 
When choosing a kid workout videos, you want to be sure your child will feel good, not ashamed of what they are doing. Complicated movements or following along with an adult program will leave your child feeling that they are doing a chore and they will not feel confident in their ability. Simple funky moves set to popular dance music will increase your child’s confidence and leave them feeling good about what they have accomplished.

Shaun T is a professional dancer and choreographer. Tell your kids that he has danced with stars like Mariah Carey and Aaron and Nick Carter and they will no doubt be impressed. Shaun has a way of motivating children in his kid workout videos. He is able to teach dance moves to kids of all abilities, taking them through a workout that is more dance party than exercise routine.

Just as you wouldn’t send your child to an adult dance class or aerobics class, why would you want them working out with a video full of adults? Chances are your child would not be interested in a kid workout video that included no kids. It is very important for youth to feel like they fit in. Anything that makes a child feel different has the potential to discourage their self esteem. By providing them with a kid workout video featuring other “cool” kids and a role model like Shaun T, they will feel motivated and more confident.

Children are as turned off by the word “exercise” as they are by the word “vegetable”. If it sounds remotely healthy, they typically don’t want anything to do with it. However, kids love sports and love to play. If you can find kid workout videos, like Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club, that seem more like fun and less like work, you are more likely to have a fitness system that your child will enjoy.

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