Getting Fit with Family Exercise

by Kathy Kaehler

We have all heard by now that we have an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country. The last twenty years, the increase has been dramatic. Today's lifestyle, with cheaper food, fast food options, convenient transportation, sedentary occupations and recreation, and more leisure time, has changed dramatically from the times when people had to hunt for their own food, walk to where they needed to go, and work constantly to survive. Those days are gone, and unfortunately our new way of life is shortening our life span.

America's children are getting fatter and more out of shape, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, and this is something that we as parents must stand up and take notice of.

When adults think about exercise, they imagine working out in a gym, lifting weights, or playing tennis. But for kids it means playtime and being active. Riding bikes and walking home from school. Running around in the yard playing tag or playing foursquare during recess.

Kids will exercise at their school if they have a PE program, but most of those programs are being dropped from curriculums. Walking home from school is something we only see in old movies, and video games keep the kids in their rooms with physical activity limited to the fingers.

How can we change? The benefits to exercise are posted everywhere. A child will have stronger muscles and bones if they exercise. A child will have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat. A child who is physically active will decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A child who is active is less likely to become overweight and has a better outlook on life.

Take a look at your child's routine. How much physical activity does he or she get each and every day? Can you sneak in an active moment? Park your car one or two blocks away from school and walk to get your child. You both can enjoy a moment together on your way back to the car.

One of the best ways to get a child more active is to limit their amount of sedentary time. Watching television and playing video games can steal enormous amounts of time. Help your child to participate in a variety of activities that are right for their age.

Be a role model for your family. If you exercise, your child will follow suit. Incorporate physical activity into daily routines. Take a family walk after dinner. Walk the dog on the weekends. Plan an active vacation this summer. Keeping it fun will keep your child coming back for more.

Parents need to encourage their kids to do a variety of activities. This will work in the three elements of physical fitness, endurance, strength, and flexibility. "Fit Kids 5- Minute-A-Day" is a program that I developed for kids and their parents to do at home at any time. The program includes a specially designed hoop that we jump in and out of, swing around our waists, and use for balance while working the muscles in the legs. Pushups, crunches, and karate kicks make this a fun and energetic workout for Mom, Dad and kids. You can try Kathy Kaehler's Fit Kids program for free at www.UltimateFitKids.com.

Get Fit Today!

NBC's Today Show Fitness Expert