Fitness for Kids!

 

By getting active, you're using calories you store up from everything you eat over the course of a day. Everything you eat and drink—from what you eat for breakfast to what you drink with dinner—is stored as energy. If this stored energy isn't used, it creates an imbalance that can lead to weight gain.

 

Simple types of physical activity and exercise can burn a lot of energy. But everyday activities use energy, too. It is easy to spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer or television. The average kid spends hours sitting at their school desks, sitting at home doing homework, and sitting in front of the TV or computer.

 

Fight the urge to slouch on the couch. Instead, get up and go!

Moving more can do more than just help your waistline,

it can make you healthier by:

• Relieving stress

• Improving your sleep

• Making your bones and muscles stronger

• Making you feel full of energy

• Building strength and endurance

• Helping you feel good about yourself

• Giving you something to do when you're bored

• Providing a way to connect to family and friends

 

Here are some easy ways to burn 150 calories, in just 30 minutes:

• Shoot hoops

• Walk two miles

• Do yard work (gardening, raking leaves, etc.)  

• Go for a bike ride

• Dance with your family or friends

 

Small steps that get your family to move more can help all of you

maintain a healthy weight. Choose a different tip each week for you and

your family to try. See if you or they can add to the list. Here are a few:

 

Walk Whenever Possible

• Walk whenever you can

• Walk to school

• Take a family walk after dinner

• Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV

• Get off the bus a stop early, and walk

• Make a Saturday morning walk a habit. Even include family and friends

• If you have a dog, take it on longer walks

• Go up hills instead of around them

 

Move More in Your Home

• Garden, or make home repairs

• Do yard work.

• Work around the house

• Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower

 

Live Actively

• Join an exercise group, and enroll  in community sports teams or lessons

• Do sit-ups in front of the TV

• Have a sit-up competition with your family and friends

• Choose an activity that fits into your daily life

• Use an exercise video if the weather is bad

• Play with yourfriends or siblings at least 30 minutes a day

• Dance to music

• Choose activities you enjoy

• Explore new physical activities

• Swim with your family and friends

 

  Click here to check out our interactive workbook!

 

     Adapted from: We Can!