Having a family or kids is often an excuse for letting yourself go. It doesn’t have to be like that. There are actually plenty of ways to keep yourself in shape and to include your family in your exercise routine. Many activities that you already perform with your children can be beneficial to your health without you even realizing it. Here are some great ways to exercise together with your family.
Going Out
If the weather permits take all of your family meetings outside. It is much nicer to make future plans while out in the fresh air. Stay active, take a walk around the block. You can even grab your water bottles and take a run with your family if they are up for it. If you own bicycles, get them and take a ride to the local park. You will realize that, just by getting there, you had a little workout, and your kids will have a lot of fun spending time with you. The park offers more options for walking, running or even playing some active games, like hiding and seek.
Schedule a Workout Time
Some families like exercising together but simply forget about it or lose their momentum because of day to day stress and obligations. If this is the case, try making a workout schedule. Select an hour each day in which everyone will drop whatever they are doing at that moment, meet up and begin exercising. This will not only help you all stay fit but will be a great bonding experience. You don’t even have to do it every day if you don’t have the time. Every other or even third day can give some great results as well.
Make a Game Out of It
Some children don’t like to exercise. It might be boring for them or they would rather spend their free time in front of a computer. That is why you need to make it fun for them. Go out with your family and bring a ball to throw around. Play catch, it is a great physical activity for the whole family. If the kids like this, you can step it up and start playing some more serious sports like soccer or basketball. Get a coupleof bats and gloves and start playing baseball with them. Or maybe even rackets for some backyard tennis. There are a lot of easy sport options and they will all help you stay in shape and have a lot of fun with the family.
Get a Dog
If your family are dog lovers, why not get one? Dogs require a lot of attention, they are very physically active and kids adore them. A dog can be a great excuse to get out of the house. It can be a valuable exercise companion that you can regularly take a walk or run with. Other activities like throwing a stick or a frisbee are also physically demanding and can help your family stay in shape. Loving a pet has many benefits both for your physical and mental fitness.
Start a Project Together
There are many physically demanding projects that you could do with your family. There are probably a lot of things to fix around the house like loose boards or creaky doors that you have been neglecting. Why not fix them together, as a family project? If you have a yard, you could make a birdhouse together. Or maybe a dog house for that dog you just got? Projects like these are great bonding experiences and the physical work included will help you keep fit. Also, the memories of working together will forever be cherished by your family.
Plan Hiking Trips
Even if you have a very busy life, make some time for family outings. Once a month pack some things into your car and drive to a hiking trail or a national park. Walk, run, climb and enjoy the outdoors. All of these are activities that will help you stay in shape. And after a great day like that, just sit down on the grass and breathe in the fresh air with your family around you.
