This is National Exercise with Your Child Week.
With the First Lady's Let's Move program, there's a focus on childhood obesity nationally. This issue really has a special meaning to me, though. After losing 145lbs in the last two years, I've realized just how much our fitness can affect us as parents.
And I'm not just talking about mobility, energy level, endurance and the superpower I have recently found - chasing down a 3 year old in a supermarket aisle.
I'm consistently amazed at how much my habits affect my children's decision making! For example, I recently had to change my yogurt buying habits because my daughter wanted yogurt from cups like Daddy's. And of course, I hear (and tell parents) all the time that they should be reading role models for their kids. (Check out #3 here.) It hit home, though, when I realized my worst habits would also translate to my kids.
I, thus, have stepped up my game - in some cases, literally! Here are a few ways I have worked in fun ways to exercise with my kids:
- Family dance party! - OK, I will admit it...I have danced to Let It Go about 75 million times. Yes, there are other songs but that one is a MUST. Lydia and Kian have even created their own Let It Go signature dance move.
- Game time - My daughter rarely goes onto the lawn without yelling 'Catch Me!' This generally begins 10 minutes of me running in a circle pretending to just miss her. We also, thanks to my son, have every type of ball known to man (and I am finally learning the rules to soccer.)
- Playground, park and pool time - When the exercise also involved a destination, it is even more fun.
- Gardening - it's much more than planting a seed. There's hauling water, digging and moving rocks. It can be a workout for me but it almost always is for my toddlers!
I've also worked very hard to make sure that my kids know that I am exercising. When I go out for a run, I say goodbye and tell them what I am going to do.
Here are some other articles about staying fit with your kids:
