EXERCISE, CHILDREN … AND YOUR IMPORTANT JOB AS A ROLE MODEL
When it comes to family fitness, parents need to remember one important rule: like it or not, you are your child’s greatest role model. Therefore, it’s not enough to just tell your child that they need to eat right and exercise – you need to show them how you are following a healthy lifestyle, as well, and set a good example.
It is never too early to expose children to exercise – in fact, if parents get children into the habit of exercising while they are young, it is a gift that will last a lifetime. The goal is healthy eating and exercise habits that stay with your family for life.
As a pediatrician, one of the three variables that I evaluate during a child’s check-up is how much exercise the child is getting. Unfortunately, due to the popularity of computers, videogames and other sedentary (and often solitary) activities, many kids today simply aren’t getting enough exercise – and it is really up to parents to intervene and make changes. And although a typical day for a child should involve lots of running around and playing games outdoors which does count as exercise, all children (even those who are physically active) need to acquire the exercise habit. In fact, parents of children who play team sports and participate on teams during the year are often fooled into thinking that their child is getting enough exercise. This is false. Children need to be taught how to exercise without a team and they must get into the habit of exercising at home so that it becomes part of their daily routine.
In creating my Next Generation Fitness program, my goal has been to have children exercise 6 days a week for 30-60 minutes each day. This may seem like a lot and therefore feels unattainable, but it is easier than you think. The exercise does not have to be done all at once – it is perfectly okay to do 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Exercise can either be done through simple aerobic/resistance training exercises (which does not need any fancy, expensive equipment), or through increased energy habits. And again, having parents exercise along with their children not only reinforces the habit, but provides a regular family activity and keeps the whole family healthier!