The following is a guest post by Sarah Clachar of Fit Family Together. Simple Kids is so pleased to welcome Sarah for a series this week about family fitness. Enjoy!
Ah, personal trainers . . . How can you not feel inspired to get fit when confronted by someone who feels confident in spandex and looks like they’re good friends with the weight machine.
However, truth be told, these guys and gals have nothing on the 2- to 3-foot-high fitness experts any mom has close at hand – your kids.
When it comes to folks who know about moving your body, children put most fitness gurus to shame.
My two kids have taught me oodles about how to make fitness easier and more enjoyable.
What’s more, I’ve found that joining them in their activity is much better than trying to sneak fitness in when they’re napping (along with everything else on your to-do list!) Family fitness beats going solo hands down!
So here are 5 important things you can learn from your very own in-house personal trainers, your kids:
Kid Fitness Inspiration #1: Just Move!
I can’t count the times I’ve said to my son, “Can’t you just sit still for a few minutes?!” Familiar, huh?
Well, consider turning this source of frustration into inspiration.
Just recently the American Cancer Society came out with a startling statistic: If you sit more than 6 hours a day, you are 40% more likely to die early than someone who sits for less than 4 hours a day. And get this – it doesn’t matter if you exercise for an hour a day. If you’re sitting 6+ hours, you’re still risking an early end.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have already demonstrated that low-key movement throughout the day can do more to help you stay slim than gym workouts.
So follow your kids’ example and sit still less, move more. Stand up and wiggle your hips when you’re on the phone. Read a book pacing back and forth. Walk and talk with your spouse.
And bring more movement into daily activities. Here’s one of my favorites: Make small sidekicks as you brush your teeth. Do this 10 times each side. It keeps me brushing longer too!
Watch your kids wind their way through tasks for great ideas.
