How to ensure your family's fit
- By Rickson Martin
- Published 3 January 2009
- Medical
- Unrated
With work and household chores, most parents do not have the time to ensure that their teenagers are getting exercise or their young kids are eating healthy. Between TV, video games and a strict school schedule, it is very difficult to make everyone in the family fit. Here are a few easy things you can do to improve your family's overall health and habits.
Healthy snacks for dinner
Take the popular lunch table concept to a new level. Create a "lunch table tray" for your family for an easy no-cook dinner. Include favorites that you might find in a standard lunch, but try to make them healthier. You can add a variety of cheeses, cold meats, wheat crackers, pickles, fruits, veggie slices and dips. Set it in the middle of the table and let everyone get what they want. Let you kids make miniature sandwiches with the cheese and crackers.
If the presentation is appealing, it will be easier to make kids eat healthy. The best part about this meal is that there is no cooking or clean up required. Juice or milk boxes can be included, to provide a healthy drink for your kids.
Incorporate video games into exercise
One of the most popular items on the market right now is the Wii Fit. The Wii is an interactive video game that simulates
real action and requires the viewer to be physically active. The Wii Fit is a fun tool to use for bonding with your kids. Plug it in and run a race, hula-hoop, or play soccer. This will make exercise fun by combining it with technology.
Imagine a pseudo race with your child through the living room, trying to catch up with the video characters ahead of you.
Vitamins and supplements
To ensure that everyone is getting the necessary nutrients, incorporate multi-vitamin and other supplements into your family's regular routine. With various kinds of vitamins available, you can find a suitable choice for family members of all ages. You can choose character vitamins for younger kids, and vitamin gumballs for the older ones.
Go shopping
Have your kids go shopping with you to pick out their favorite activity equipment. Go to a sporting goods store for a full selection of items. After your trip, you will find the kids will be excited to start with tennis, volleyball, whichever sport's gear you picked. They will pester you to begin immediately, which will translate into many active, fun-filled evenings.
Keep your eyes open for other opportunities to stay healthy. Remember you don't have to work at the fitness of your family. Making small lifestyle changes can help your family stay active and healthy.
Healthy snacks for dinner
Take the popular lunch table concept to a new level. Create a "lunch table tray" for your family for an easy no-cook dinner. Include favorites that you might find in a standard lunch, but try to make them healthier. You can add a variety of cheeses, cold meats, wheat crackers, pickles, fruits, veggie slices and dips. Set it in the middle of the table and let everyone get what they want. Let you kids make miniature sandwiches with the cheese and crackers.
If the presentation is appealing, it will be easier to make kids eat healthy. The best part about this meal is that there is no cooking or clean up required. Juice or milk boxes can be included, to provide a healthy drink for your kids.
Incorporate video games into exercise
One of the most popular items on the market right now is the Wii Fit. The Wii is an interactive video game that simulates
Imagine a pseudo race with your child through the living room, trying to catch up with the video characters ahead of you.
Vitamins and supplements
To ensure that everyone is getting the necessary nutrients, incorporate multi-vitamin and other supplements into your family's regular routine. With various kinds of vitamins available, you can find a suitable choice for family members of all ages. You can choose character vitamins for younger kids, and vitamin gumballs for the older ones.
Go shopping
Have your kids go shopping with you to pick out their favorite activity equipment. Go to a sporting goods store for a full selection of items. After your trip, you will find the kids will be excited to start with tennis, volleyball, whichever sport's gear you picked. They will pester you to begin immediately, which will translate into many active, fun-filled evenings.
Keep your eyes open for other opportunities to stay healthy. Remember you don't have to work at the fitness of your family. Making small lifestyle changes can help your family stay active and healthy.
