Welcome back! Today we are going to continue with part 2 on our Family Fitness series. Many families today are more sedentary then ever before. We have the internet, remote controls, video games, and about everything in the book to make us move less. Even the foods we eat today are based on fast and convenient. Just look around the supermarket these days carrying ready in 5 minute meals. All you have to do is open up the package and pop it in the microwave and presto instant meals for the family. What they don’t tell you is the high sodium content that is usually in those packaged foods. All these factors mean one thing and that is we are spending less quality time together as a family. How many families do you see doing separate things? Dad is watching TV, mom is in another room reading a book, and the kids are in playing on the computer. There just doesn’t seem to be communication and bonding time with one another these days.

While growing up my parents always made sure we ate together. However being Chinese, we as kids were taught to be silent and our opinions were not valued. So basically dinner time resembled more of being in a morgue then a joyous occasion. Sports and exercise was frown upon and viewed as a waste of time. Instead academics were stressed. Basically you became a doctor, lawyer, accountant or you are “loser”. Well I guess I chose to be a “loser” but a happy one mind you!

I would have to say I strongly disagreed with my parent’s views. I see many of these elders of that generation experience various health issues due to their narrow view on daily exercise. They are now starting to adopt a healthy lifestyle however for many it is already to late. Some have passed on before their time while others require medication to allow them to get through the day.

Exercising or engaging in physical activities as a family has numerous benefits not only for the parents but the children as well. I remember one of my best friends who lived down the street from me. His entire family had regular sporting outings at least 3 to 4 times per week. I am happy to say after 30 years of knowing them they are all still healthy. These healthy habits taught to my good friend by his parents have now been passed on his children. Today they continue to be an active family making exercise a big part of their lives. I’m sure when his kids become adults these attributes will be passed on to their children.

Here are some of the family fitness and activities you can benefit from?

1.    Take your family to a water park. Mom, dad, and the kids can jump into the pool and enjoy many hours of fun.
2.    Enroll your kids in a sports league or program. You can help out by becoming a volunteer coach.
3.    Join a family fitness centre. These places cater exclusively to families offering fitness programs, equipment, and advice.
4.    If you like the great outdoors then take the family camping. You can canoe, hike, or jump into the lake for a swim.
5.    I remember a family that started their own running club. They always jogged daily together as a family.

Tags: exercise, Family Fitness, Weight loss for women, Workout for women

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm and is filed under Family Fitness, Weight loss for women, Workout for women. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.