3 Tips for Better Family Fitness - 3rd Week
By Genevieve Cunningham
There’s nothing that we wouldn’t do for our families and those we love. We want what is best for our spouses and our children. We want to raise our families in a way that makes them both happy and successful. But, what does that look like? Where are we supposed to start when it comes to building healthy, happy families? If you’re unsure, begin with one of the most basic elements of family wellness: Overall health. Keeping the whole family healthy can be a challenge, but you can make it easier by being knowledgeable and prepared. To get you on the right track, check out these three easy tips for promoting health and harmony in your home.
No Pressure
Sometimes, and especially when it comes to kids, the more pressure we place on something, the more it is resisted. When it comes to health and fitness, the stakes are too high. Their long-term wellness as well as their mental well-being is on the line, and so it’s important to make health a priority without going overboard. If your child makes an unhealthy choice, let them be. Next time, just offer them healthier options. Don’t make them feel guilty or overwhelmed, and instead lead by example.
Get Active Together
If you really want your children to be healthy, you’ve got to be healthy first. Get outside and get moving! The more you remain active, the more likely your kids will remain active as well. If the choices are available, you can even try doing activities all together as a family. Perhaps a game of touch football or a community get-together is just what your family needs to get the activity bug moving in your house.
Offer Food Variety
This should start as early as possible. If you’ve already missed the toddler window, that’s OK. You can start any time. The more foods you offer with frequency, the more likely your kids are to eat it. They won’t starve themselves, so eventually if all you’re offering are healthy options, they’ll learn to like something. Begin by offering all of your family’s favorites along with a new, healthy dish. Offer it again in a week, and then once more in another week. It might take a while for people to adapt, but stay at it! Before long, your menu will be full of healthy foods and you may even have requests for well-balanced dinners.
Getting your family healthy is important. It’s not only important for the here and now, but it’s important for the long-term wellness of your children. Teach your kids healthy habits and get them started on a healthy lifestyle by using these tips as soon as today.