From Couch Potato to an Active Al– Get Your Kids Up and Moving!

With all of the technology halting physical exercise, it’s harder than ever to lose those extra pounds. But with the screen time, it makes it easier to get a quick dinner at the fast food joint on the corner than it does to actually cook a healthy meal. What all of this is saying to our children is that this kind of behavior and activity is ok. But how can we set and example for the future of our world if we don’t first do these actions ourselves? How can you get your kids up and moving to make a better future? Follow along!

Follow the Rules

If you’re going to make rules, stick to them. Don’t make rules, break them, and then go back to them. This isn’t a good routine to start. If you make rules, allow for some leeway at the beginning if they are lifestyle changes. Rules provide structure and accountability.

If you set rules to get so much exercise or active time in a week, make sure that you stick to it and you’re enforcing it in your entire household.

Stick to a Schedule

Rules and a schedule are completely different. Rules are meant to be followed whereas a schedule is meant to keep you on task. Make your schedule so that it works for the majority of the family.

If you’re looking to get healthy as a group, be sure that the schedule fits everybody’s daily life. Be sure to include your needs and wants in the scheduling. Schedule your needs first. For kids, this may look like completing homework or tidying up their bedroom.

After the needs section is completed, be sure to include your wants. This may look like a half hour of video games or maybe twenty minutes of phone time.

Be sure to include daily life in there too. If you’ve got a bedtime routine, include that in the schedule. A visual for your every day life, wants, needs, and daily routine, can help to keep you on schedule and allows you to see when you have more free time to be more active.

86 the Screen

Screen time is the biggest downfall, that an a lack of rules when it comes to a growing child. If a child spends too much time on a their phone, their computer, or playing video games they will feel the need to constantly be doing those things.

We, as humans, have a hard time deviating from our routine. Deviating from a routine may leave some in an uncomfortable state. Don’t let this happen. Limit screen time. If you or your child has a need to have screen time, limit it to only a certain amount of time.

If you’re having a hard time adjusting to screen time limitation find an alternative. Allow your kid to help you around the house or ask them complete a craft.

Give them Responsibilities

If you don’t give your kids responsibilities or tasks to complete how are they supposed to learn? If you let a kid do whatever they want, more than likely, their choice would be to eat junk food, sit around and play video games, or go hang out with their friends.

While that stuff is ok, in moderation, you want to make sure that your kids learn the importance of responsibilities. In giving the responsibilities, you give them a reason to get up and get active.

Some great responsibilities may include cleaning their room, folding the laundry, mowing the yard, or general housework. While some of these tasks may not be physical in nature, they are forcing your kid to get off the couch.

Hit the Grocery Store

While responsibilities and a schedule are great, sometimes they falter. On top of getting active and getting off the couch, a great way to become more actively involved with your health is to go to the grocery store as a family.

Not only can the kids help pick out meals, but you can also ask them to go get things for you to make for a quicker shopping trip. Also make a scavenger hunt for your kids. If they find certain items and bring them back, have them go for the next thing.

If you take your kids to the grocery store with you, more than likely, they’re going to want to pick out some unhealthy options to eat. Splurging every once in a while is great, but don’t let it be a regular thing to get something that may be unhealthy.

Reward them with something new each time; Their favorite fruit or maybe their favorite meal. But don’t let them get their favorite chocolate bar every single time.

Be Spontaneous

While routine and structure is great, spontaneity is also a great way to keep kids interested and keep them motivated. There isn’t a day goes by that routine isn’t completed, but for those that get bored quickly, sometimes the spontaneity is what keeps them going.

Instead of doing your normal weekend routine, take a day trip to a local museum. Instead of walking the normal loop, go to a trail and hike it. There isn’t anything saying that you can’t change up your routine with a little spontaneity.

You kids have the ability to adapt, you just have to show them how. They are able to be fluid, you just have to give them the direction and show them that it is ok.

Food Takeaway

In addition to getting more active, you want to be sure that you give your kids the  best start that they can have. You wouldn’t start their day without breakfast or give them absolute junk for lunch.

While it may be the easier option, processed food isn’t the best option to go with. When buying food, try to go for fresh food like lean meats, healthy carbs, and a veggie. Keep away from the processed, already made meals. Try meal prepping!

While kids have a mind of their own, they do follow by example. Meaning, if you, their parent, takes on a healthy lifestyle, they will more than likely follow suite. This is a great way to start a healthy lifestyle for you and your kiddos if you’re just beginning your journey or it’s even a great refresher for if you’re a seasoned vet. It isn’t rocket science, but it does take some dedication. Take is slow and enjoy your time with your kids! One day, they’ll teach their kids!

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