| Lynn Bode | | | | swinging to help workout your legs. Try making it |
| Making exercise a priority is a challenge for | | | | across the monkey bars - even just once (it's a |
| everyone. And for parents it can be especially | | | | great upper body workout and you'll be amazed |
| difficult to find time to workout because of the | | | | that your kid does it with such little ease). Try |
| full plates that they often juggle. When summer | | | | some pull-ups using a bar on the playset. Do some |
| arrives the juggling act becomes even more | | | | tricep dips on a nearby park bench. |
| tricky with kids home from school and involved in | | | | - Play catch with a ball or get a small group |
| extracurricular activities. | | | | together for a kickball or softball game. |
| | | | - Make Saturdays family bike outing day. |
| The big question is how to make it a priority that | | | | - Involve your kids while you strength train. Let |
| fits in your schedule. Well, it's actually easier than | | | | them count your reps out loud for you and/or |
| you may think. With a little planning you can find | | | | clock your rest time in-between sets. |
| ways to incorporate workouts into the time you | | | | - For pool outings, don't just spend time soaking |
| spend with your children. Regardless of what age | | | | up the sun. Walk back and forth in shallow water |
| your children are, there's a way to find time to | | | | while your kids have fun splashing about. |
| workout (often even with your kids)! Here are | | | | - On rainy days that force you inside, walk or run |
| some tips based on the age of your children. | | | | up and down the stairs. You might even make it |
| Age: Infant through pre-school | | | | a contest to see who can finish 5 complete |
| - Fit in exercise time while they are napping. Try a | | | | rounds first. |
| home exercise video, walking or jogging (if you | | | | Age: Teenagers |
| have a treadmill), jumping rope. | | | | - Register for a fun run (or walk) event and |
| - Occupy them for even 15 minutes with a video | | | | spend time together training for the event. |
| or toy while you do some toning exercises like | | | | - Purchase a family gym membership and |
| squats and tricep dips. | | | | workout together weekly. |
| - Grab your stroller and go for a brisk walk*. Or, | | | | - Play tennis or basketball together. |
| buy a jogging stroller for more flexibility. With a | | | | - Consider joining a community volleyball or |
| jogging stroller you can walk faster, jog or even | | | | softball team that includes enthusiasts of all ages. |
| run at a fast pace. And, for veteran rollerbladers, | | | | - Don't just sit and cheer your kids at their |
| you can even use the stroller for some skating | | | | sporting events. Every few minutes do some |
| time. | | | | walking or jumping jacks or squats. |
| - For younger children, you can use a back carrier | | | | - Implement a daily family walk each day before |
| to transport them while walking. This can burn | | | | or after dinner. |
| even more calories as the extra weight makes it | | | | - Work together in the yard raking leaves, planting |
| more challenging. | | | | flowers, trimming trees. |
| - Turn on some music and dance together. | | | | So, with all the above recommendations, you no |
| Toddlers love dancing, especially when their | | | | longer have the "I'm a parent - I don't have time |
| parents joins in. | | | | to workout" excuse. If you implement these |
| - Push your kid on a swing. And, after every push | | | | activities for just 30 minutes three times per |
| complete one squat. | | | | week, you can easily burn an extra 450 calories |
| - Use an infant carrier or bike trailer to enjoy a | | | | or more! Plus, working out sets a great example |
| bike ride together. | | | | for your children that will teach them at an early |
| Age: Grade School | | | | age how important (and easy) it is to make |
| - Try rollerblading or skating together. | | | | physical fitness a part of daily life. Exercising with |
| - Spend an afternoon at a park with a playground, | | | | your kids also provides the extra bonus of |
| but don't spend the whole time relaxing on the | | | | spending quality time together. |
| sidelines - join in on the fun. Spend some time | | | | |