Families That Play Together Stay Together

Although recruitment is our core business, regardless of what job you do and your own personal situation, I believe we all need a bit of outside inspiration and to ask ourselves thought provoking and challenging questions from time to time.

FAMILIES THAT PLAY TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER

With childhood obesity at an all-time high and diabetes on the increase throughout all ages, there has never been a more important time to focus on family fitness and health. Keeping fit as a family is a great way to bond, and can also make your own fitness journey more varied and enjoyable than if you were to go solo.

Children learn from what they see and hear. They are more likely to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle if they see their parents enjoying one too, and equally, are more likely to live a sedentary lifestyle if that is what they see their parents doing. Children pick up on more than we often realise, so enjoy your workout, even if you have to fake it. If your children see that you find exercise fun, they will too, think of it as fun.

Aside from the obvious health benefits of fighting obesity and heart disease, amongst other health issues, regular exercise also helps to reduce stress and can help children to learn and succeed in the classroom, resulting in a happier child.

Making family exercise a regular occurrence is a great way to embed it as routine. For example you can enjoy a Sunday morning walk or bike ride, or even go for a jog or game of football together. Get your young ones to dance to TV adverts with you or get down on the floor with them and show them some yoga moves. Children can make anything fun so make your workouts a game. You can use your baby or toddler as your weight and race your older children around the park. By utilising your time to work out as a family, you are freeing up time. Keeping fit doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym; monkey bars and hill chasing is just as good.

Simple steps like walking your children to and from school helps them to get regular exercise without realising it. If you live too far for that to be possible, then park slightly further away than you need to, to encourage those extra steps.

Technology is at the forefront of our lives these days. Smart phones, tablets, computers and TVs are part of everyday activities. Try to use technology to get each other moving. You could take it in turns to record your own exercise video or enjoy a computer game which uses technology and movement sensors. Workouts on YouTube or exercise apps are options too. By offering variety and trying to use things your children like, they will be more keen to involve themselves in your activities.

Lifelong habits are often created during your childhood, so you are setting your children up for a healthy attitude to exercise by exercising regularly together. Also, working out together offers added motivation than working out alone, so you benefit yourself too.

Improve yourself and your family by keeping active together. Enjoy less sedentary time, quality bonding time and have fun.

I’ve been publishing my weekly blog/articles for over 10 years and appreciate the regular positive feedback.

Stay positive and safe.

All the best,

Gary

Gary Pike, Founder & MD Right International

Tel: +441932 800222 Email: garypike@rightinternational.com

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