| Did you know that as high as 46% of all children | | | | or go for a weekend hike together. Not only do |
| today are overweight or obese? According to the | | | | these things not cost any money, but also they |
| Center for Disease Control, children today are | | | | are fun and get every member of the family up |
| aging at rapid speeds and experiencing illnesses | | | | and moving. When you plan activities that match |
| and diagnoses that have normally been saved for | | | | you and your children's interests in the great |
| much older adults. The reason is because as a | | | | outdoors, you get exercise while enjoying |
| whole - society is exercising less. In a way, it is | | | | yourself. |
| ironic that even though you see a gym on nearly | | | | The more you and your kids get up and moving, |
| every strip mall corner- more people than ever | | | | the better you will feel. Trainers caution people |
| are in poor health. If you are a raising a family, it | | | | from enrolling in a gym or exercise class on a |
| is important in numerous ways to ensure that | | | | whim. Rather they suggest that you make one |
| you and your children are getting plenty of fresh | | | | change a week that your family can live with. |
| air and exercise. Daily! | | | | Stop buying sodas. Or gather everyone for an |
| Many people blame this couch potato society on | | | | evening walk after dinner before everyone |
| technology and things like video games. Today, | | | | reverts to his or her computers or cell phones. |
| we can do virtually anything without leaving the | | | | What comes next can make exercising and |
| sofa. Television has definitely made it easier to | | | | keeping your family healthy much easier. The |
| stay home and planted on the couch as well. If | | | | domino effect of feeling great will give you the |
| you can sit down for an hour just to watch a | | | | initiative to be even more creative finding |
| bunch of people try to lose weight on one of the | | | | exercise ideas for your family. When you do it |
| new reality shows, then obviously there is a | | | | together - each of you has a much better chance |
| problem. Unfortunately, this excuse really isn't a | | | | of sticking with the changes for life. |
| good one. The trick if finding balance between | | | | Kids who grow up active and are encouraged to |
| your responsibilities and your health and making | | | | get outside and play - are remarkably healthier |
| the decision that your health and the health of | | | | than their lackadaisical counterparts are. However, |
| your children is a priority. | | | | it has to start with the parents. If mom and dad |
| First of all, exercise should be fun. Far too many | | | | are lazy, satisfied doing nothing and packing on the |
| people hear the word exercise and experience | | | | weight - chances are your children will follow suit. |
| nervous tension and dread. If you told your | | | | After all, it is easier. On the flip side - if you |
| children they had to go running for an hour every | | | | invoke a respect for the human body and the |
| day, they would meet the task with resentment. | | | | benefits of exercise and nutrition, your children |
| But exercise doesn't have to be anything planned | | | | too will follow suit. Start an exercise program |
| or routine. You don't have to own any exercise | | | | base don things you can do around the home. As |
| equipment or buy some fancy DVD's to teach | | | | your family starts exercising more regularly - you |
| you how. Exercise can be done sitting in your | | | | can add things like a gym membership or exercise |
| living room floor, walking around your house and | | | | class if you wish. When exercise becomes fun |
| doing tons of things that are fun as a family | | | | instead of work - the health of your entire family |
| together. Set up a volleyball net, a basketball goal | | | | can change. |