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Family Exercise

on Tuesday, 29 April 2014. Posted in Doctor of Fitness, Fitness

Now that we're ready for spring, it's time to start doing things outside again. Exercising as a family, whether you have toddlers, teens, ‘tweens, or all of the above, doesn't have to be a boring chore. Use your brain along with your muscles to try some new activities that will get everyone in shape while spending quality family together.

Walking is good exercise for everyone in the family; if you have a dog, take Rover for a walk every evening after dinner. If you don't have a dog, take the family on an evening walk to look for dogs; young kids will love going on a safe family safari to search for the neighborhood pets.

Dont let rain ruin your exercise routine.

You can exercise indoors by turning the living room into a disco. Move the furniture in the family room to the side, so that there’s plenty of room. The kids can take turns being in charge of the do-it-yourself strobe light (give them a flashlight) while everyone else dances and sings to disco classics. It's energetic, it's fun, and everyone has a good time being silly.

Use the TV!

Another way to be active as a family is to turn your TV watching into an exercise plan. No more couch potatoes! You know how everyone heads out to the fridge for snacks when the commercials are on? You can use those minutes to stay in shape. There's time for a round of push-ups, sit-ups, marching, and follow the leader before the show comes back on the screen.

Growing your vegetables.

Spring is also gardening and yard work time; each child can choose a favorite vegetable to plant, water, weed, and take care of through the growing season. If they don't have a favorite vegetable, this might be a way for kids to see vegetables as fun food. Instead of being a family of couch potatoes, you can be the family that grows potatoes! If you don’t have a yard or it’s too shady, try container gardening - most vegetables grow well in containers.

Whether you and your family are indoors or outdoors, there are lots of ways to be active and have family fun.