Getting your kids to exercise...

It doesn't have to be boring

Every kid loves to play, right? Then why is childhood obesity such a problem in America today?

Maybe the problem is how they play. Today's children spend too much time indoors playing video games and watching television instead of playing outdoors, unlike your childhood or your parents' childhood.
Suggesting that your child "exercise" will likely be met with a roll of the eyes, indifference – or maybe outright refusal. At that point, many parents will just give up. But consider this: If your child is overweight – and if no intervention is made – there's an 80 percent chance he or she will be overweight as an adult. This puts your child at risk for medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Obesity can also adversely affect self-esteem.

The trick is to make fitness fun. Forms of exercise that build strength and offer a good workout sometimes are so difficult that they turn kids off, so try activities that engage a child's sense of fun while they burn calories and tone muscles.

Here are a few ways to disguise exercise as a fun activity:

Marco...Polo!
Visit the swimming pool regularly. Water play is not only fun, it tones muscles and makes kids better swimmers. Races and timed competitions are appealing to older kids.

Bicycle!
Bicycling is a great way to exercise. Instead of driving somewhere, ride a bike. Take a family ride that includes flat areas and a few hills. And, like swimming, most kids are always ready to race. For safety's sake, don't forget the helmet!

On Your Mark...
Kids love to run – often for no real reason. Build on that passion and invite some neighborhood kids over for some relay races, obstacle courses and timed runs. Tomorrow you can plan the rematch.

Yard Games
Don't forget the old-fashioned ways of having fun. Jumping rope, hopscotch, and even good, old tag are all fun forms of exercise.

Snack Attack!
After all that fresh air, your kids may be hungry. Be sure to have healthy choices on hand like fresh fruit, vegetables, or healthy popcorn. Also, don't forget that staying hydrated during play is very important. Make sure everyone has plenty of water available.

Great Rewards
By engaging your child in physical activity, you are teaching him or her lifelong healthy habits. Doctors say children should be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day. Twenty minutes in the morning, another 20 in the early afternoon and 20 minutes in the early evening are just as effective as a solid hour of exercise.

And, finally ... it doesn't hurt for you to get involved with your child's exercise! Jumping in the pool or hopping on bikes together is a great way to bond, and it's a great way for you to show your kids that exercise (and having fun) is a lifelong pursuit.

Article courtesy of Lawton Public Schools