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