Lifetime Fitness - A Family Affair

Children aren’t born knowing what is good for them. They learn by watching what their parents and siblings do. Parents can help build the foundation for lifelong fitness by helping their children choose and enjoy active lifestyles.

Children need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise five days a week. Families can create opportunities for physical activity by making it part of the daily routine.

• Walk at every opportunity.

• Walk your child to and from school, and walk to do errands.

• Create new routines like taking a walk after dinner or playing at a park on the weekends.

•  Plan physical and recreational activities such as hiking, biking, skating, swimming, and canoeing that family members can participate in together or do on their own.

•  Even games of hop scotch, Frisbee, hide and seek, and pickup basketball help keep children’s heart rates and activity levels where they need to be for good health.

By learning healthy habits early on, children are more likely to be active and stay active – for life.