Fitness Needs

www.fitnessneeds.com

Fitness for Families
by Arnold Geignert
http://www.fitmefitness.com

Many people's lifestyles make it difficult to make
time for exercise and fitness. Finding time for the
entire family to exercise together is especially difficult
because every family member has a different schedule to
work around. However, if family members want a family
fitness time badly enough and are willing to cooperate
in scheduling it, a doable schedule can be made. Below
are a few tips that might help.

1. Map out all essential scheduling needs. In other words,
work from a calendar that has school, work, and other
important commitments marked on it. These times typically
cannot be changed, except during holiday breaks or
occasional leaves. Then look at the time slots you have
left. These may include periods like weekend afternoons
or some weekday evenings. Check with each family member
to be sure that everyone is free at that time as planned.

2. Come up with fitness activities that the whole
family enjoys. Some possibilities are hiking, jogging,
swimming, volleyball or any other activity that lends
itself to activity and interaction. Not only do you stay
fit, you also bond as a family by sharing the experience.
Make a list of several options. Ask everyone to vote on
them, so activities are selected which most members in the
family enjoy doing. Make sure that everyone gets to do
an activity they like by alternating the time spent on
various fitness activities over time.

3. Accommodate the pace of activity to include everyone~s
needs or limitations. This may mean that the some will
have to keep a slower pace than they otherwise would to
allow the very young and the elderly keep up. You may have
to complete an activity in phases, swimming for example,
by having young children rest at prescribed intervals
while older children and adults have swim time more in
line with their abilities. Make each fitness session fun
and challenging, but not overwhelming, for each member of
the family.

4. Do not obsess about the family fitness schedule. If
someone in the family cannot make it for a particular
session, let the others can continue with the activity
anyway. Don't emphasize competition because those who
don't win may not like it. Fitness activities should be
fun for the whole family and not a burden for anyone.
Keep a flexible schedule for family fitness time.

Being physically active as a family is a great way to keep
fit and healthy as a family as well as a way to spend time
and have fun together. It will not only make each one of
you healthier but also help you cultivate a life-long
habit and activity routine that will be passed through the
generations of your family. If you have not tried enjoying
physical fitness as a family, do so now!

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