Family Health Matters - Active Lifestyle Habits

Obesity is an epidemic sweeping across the United States. Children are suffering from reduced physical education programs in schools, and fast food is just a little too convenient for dinner every night. This is the time that parents must step up for good health habits from which the entire family can benefit.

Kids are natural balls of energy, and it’s important to foster that urge to move. One of the most fun ways to be healthy is to have a well-rounded active lifestyle. This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym to workout twice per day (although that does work, too). An active lifestyle is one that gets the family involved in doing different things together.

Here are four ways that you can start focusing on health in your life. A great place to start is by choosing one or two activities per week to master. All too frequently people fail to create a healthy lifestyle by trying to do everything at once, but that is a very difficult task and it often results in the family falling back into unhealthy habits. Choosing a small goal to accomplish and putting a specific action plan in place will help you move toward an active lifestyle full of good health habits.

1. Walk or ride bikes to school every day, if possible. If it’s dangerous to get to school with these modes of transportation, go for a walk after school as a whole family. Don’t forget to bring along Fido! Strive for 30 minutes of physical activity per day, but it’s okay to start at 30 minutes two to three days per week. 
2. Teach your family about healthy eating. Go to the grocery store together and pick out fun and new produce, then cook the meals as a family so everyone can learn the tasty recipes. 
3. Jump rope, dance, swim, start water balloon fights, build snow forts... Play outside!
4. Do chores around the house. Sweeping, vacuuming, and doing laundry require moving, bending, stretching and more healthy actions. Turn off the TV, and turn on the stereo.