Getting your family more physically active! - 14/06/2010

Our actions as parents and even as grandparents have a huge impact on the current and future behaviour of our children. It is widely known that children of active parents are usually more active themselves. It is very important as a parent to set a good and healthy example of ‘keeping active’ by getting out and showing your children how much fun it is to be physically active. By being active together as a family it helps to improve your relationship with your children.

So why not try out some of these ideas to get your family more active!

• Visit the local park and have a ‘healthy’ picnic.
• Explore a national park.
• Go camping or hiking.
• Spend a morning or afternoon at the beach.
• Get on your bikes and explore your local area or ride along designated footbaths at the beach.
• Play cricket, soccer, Frisbee or barefoot lawn bowls in your backyard.
• Teach your children some of the active games you played when you were their age - hopscotch, skipping games, hide-and-seek or tiggy.
• Get a basketball or netball hoop for your yard and shoot some goals.
• Fly a kite.
• Get together with extended family and/or friends and have a game of footy or cricket in the park.
• Visit your local markets together to shop for fresh food.
• Do some active household chores or gardening together.
• Start a vegetable or herb garden - kids will love helping something grow from a seed into a tasty, fresh meal.
• Try cooking together - even chopping and stirring is being active and your children learn a new life skill!
• Walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work or school.
• Get involved in organised sports or other group activities.
• As family try rollerblading or roller-skating – you can relive your childhood whilst teaching the kids some new skills.

Remember the current “Physical Activity Guidelines” suggest that everyone be physically active at least 30 min most or everyday! This is not hard to achieve if you really think about it. Your 30 min can be broken into 2 activities of 15min each. You will be amazed at how easy it is to add 30min of physical activity to your day.

So how do you want your children to behave when it comes to be healthy when they are older?

If you have any fantastic ideas on how to be more active with your family please let me know – info@merendi.com.au

Merendi Leverett-Bowler

Accredited Exercise Physiologist

GradDipHSc(ExRehab), BHMSc, MAAESS, AEP

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