I’m no fitness guru by any means, but one thing I know is that if our family doesn’t do something that involves some form of exercise during this time of [year] we will be at each other. So here is my simple suggestion: Go for walks! That’s it....nothing fancy....just a good old fashion walk.
Now around here in the Pacific Northwest it rains....a lot! We can’t allow that to stop us though....Someone invented these really neat things called umbrellas and hoods....so we use them! HA!
I discovered that my kids really like to go for walks with me. It’s special to them for some reason. They like to walk and talk. Really! I used to go for walks by myself. I love the peace and quiet and time to spend with the Lord….But it’s not easy to try to get alone time. Kids just naturally want to follow whatever thing it is that you are going to enjoy....alone!
Have you tried to get out of the house by yourself lately? The kids want to come, right? Even the teenagers. What’s with that? I gave into letting them come with me.
So we get our exercise and build our relationships at the same time.
If walking with your kids sounds boring....make it FUN! Here are just a few suggestions that we have done over the years:
- Play I Spy as you walk along
- Discover different types of plants and trees…different textures…collect them along the way
- Have the kids race to the next street and STOP
- Sing songs along the way
- Be really quiet as you walk and see what sounds you can hear
- Talk about how you are feeling that minute!
- Pray together, kids love to pray…even teens will find something to pray about
- and of course if it’s raining, put your face up to the sky and see how many raindrops you can eat!
Well you get the picture. Family fitness is fun, relaxing, healthy and builds relationships. Because it’s good for my kids, I tend to enjoy it more because it’s not all about me. Not that there’s anything wrong with taking time for myself…I just don’t seem to be able to sneak out without them! LOL!
Have a blessed week and get those bodies moving!
What form of family fitness fun do you do with your family?
To read more from Shari Lynne, visit her blog at Faith Filled Food For Moms And Grandmothers.
Lately my family has been playing a lot of Wii together since we got one for Christmas. It's amazing what a little family-friendly competition will do to get pre-teens to open up and talk. We play the Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and Just Dance 3. Since there are always two of us playing and two of us sitting, there is some great time for conversations with the Wii as a distraction if things get to heavy for my girls.
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