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Family Fitness
Look for simple ways to incorporate more physical activity into
your family's busy schedule. While it might seem impossible
to find a couple of hours to visit
the
local
fitness center
or to plan out a day of physical activity for the entire family,
finding time to exercise doesn't need to be that hard.
The U.S.
Surgeon General and The President's Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports agree that you
and your family can see positive health benefits with just 30 minutes
of moderate physical activity. Aiming for 60
minutes of physical activity each day is even better.
Curb Screen Time
Wondering where to
find more time to be active? Try cutting back on "screen time." Today's kids
are bombarded with reasons not to be active — computers,
video games, and cable television don't require a lot of energy to operate. While
these
electronic devices have their role, screen time discourages physical activity
and some commercials may promote unhealthy foods and behaviors.
Here are some ways to turn off the power:
- For one week, have your kids keep track of how much
time they spend watching TV each day. If their TV viewing is more than
the recommended one to two hours per day of quality programming, have
them set goals for reducing the amount of time.
- Set a good example. Limit your own TV viewing and Internet surfing.
- Take the TV out of your child's bedroom.
Fun Family Activities
There are lots of things to do as a family that are not only fun, but
free. Here are a few:
- Rake some leaves — don't forget to make a pile for jumping.
- Play
in the snow — build snow families, race through the snow in the
backyard, ice skate or sled.
- Take a long walk or jog around the neighborhood.
Here's a fun way to walk: take a coin with you. At each intersection,
have your child flip
the coin. If it's heads, you turn right, tails you turn left. See where
you end up!
- Plan bike trips on safe trails. Don't forget to wear helmets.
- Play
catch with a football or baseball.
- Wash the car.
- Set up the sprinkler and run through.
- Play backyard games in the
evening.
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