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.