Managing work and family life can prove to be difficult, especially when it comes to making fitness and health a priority. Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy being with your family and still manage to keep in great shape. Below are just a few tips for healthy living, in terms of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Team Sports
Think softball, water polo, or touch football; overall, team sports are a great way to mix fun and fitness together as a family. Even if your family isn’t competitive, team sports are a sure way to get the whole family involved in an activity where no one will feel left out, but everyone is guaranteed to have a good time.
Jump Rope
Yes, it’s old fashioned, but hey, it’s still fun, especially if your children are between 5 and 8 years old. Stop at a local hardware store and pick up a 15 ft piece of rope. Take turns turning the rope for each other, making it a contest of parents versus kids. Or if you’re not up to publicly humiliating yourself, buy a smaller jump rope and take turns to see who can jump the most without stopping or tripping over the rope. Frankly, you may burn just as many calories laughing at each other as actually jumping rope (which, by the way, burns a whopping 12 calories a minute).
Bike Trails
Strap on the helmets and elbow and knee guards. Kids get absolutely giddy when it comes to bike trails. Take a trip to any of your local parks and venture together as a family through the bike trails they offer. The change of scenery will break up the monotony of any other outing. Bike trails especially in exotic locales such as the Everglades or another National Park are ideal for family outings.
Hikes
Nature hikes have been underrated as family activities. They can be a wonderful family outing though, especially the longer trails leading to bodies of water. Make a day trip out of your family hike by bringing along healthy snacks and lots of water for breaks. If vacationing in a foreign country hiking is an ideal way to keep up the family exercise routine while exploring a new locale.
Canoeing
Remember to bring the life jackets! This activity can be done on nearly any body of water and frankly, investing in a canoe is a wonderful idea. Besides teaching team work and cooperation, it’s a great way to work out with the entire family and the time will pass by quickly, as you all try your hand at rowing.
Racquetball
Are you a single mom or dad with a teenager? Try racquetball. It’ll give both of you the opportunity to really release some steam and get a great workout while doing it. Just remember to wear goggles!
Overall, nearly any sport can be transformed into a family fitness event, just be open and flexible to exploring your options as a family. With current gym memberships and summer camp offerings, staying healthy as a family has never been easier.
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