Be a Fit Family!
Being active is essential for our well-being. Yes…it burns calories and helps keep us in shape but exercise has also proven to sharpen our minds and nourish our souls. It makes us happier! The pandemic has made exercising a little more challenging…especially for our children. Here are a few suggestions to help you get your family moving this winter!
- Get Outside!!! We have been quite fortunate with the weather this winter. Take advantage and go for a family walk in the afternoon. My husband and I both work from home now but we carve out time in the afternoon to take the kids for a quick walk (doesn’t have to be more than 20 minutes) to get some fresh air, a change of scenery and a chance for everyone to catch up on each other’s day. I understand that this might not be possible for everyone but even if you can only do it on the weekends, it’s a great way to break up the day. And, honestly, when life goes back to normal and there are all those after-school activities and sports to drive to, you will not have this opportunity again!
- Partner Workouts! I started doing some fun partner workouts with my 13-year- old son at the start of the pandemic and they have been a great way to connect and get some exercise. Some examples of partner workouts include:
- “You Go, I Go:” (i) One person holds a plank for 30 seconds while the other does basic squats. Switch. Repeat 3 rounds. (ii) One person does jumping jacks for 1 minute while the other does walking lunges. Switch. Repeat 3 rounds. (iii) One person does basic crunches for 1 minute while the other runs in place. Switch. Repeat 3 rounds.
- Competition: Sometimes, to mix it up, we would turn exercise into a friendly competition (just like a staring contest). Who can hold a plank the longest? Who can sprint up the driveway the fastest? Who can do more push-ups in 20 seconds? Be creative!
- Teach the Fundamentals: This is a great opportunity to teach your children the fundamentals of exercise and how important correct form and technique are. If you don’t know yourself, watch some YouTube videos together and practice. Get your kids interested in exercise!
- Stretch! Please! Stretching is so important and…great news…you can do it anywhere. We are all sitting so much these days -at our desks, at our computers, at the kitchen table. Have you stood up quickly after sitting too long and your legs haven’t wanted to cooperate so much? I have! So…please stretch! Reach your fingers to your toes and stretch the back of your legs. Sit up tall in your chair and open your arms out to the sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Cross one foot over the other knee and press your bent knee towards the floor with your hand to open up your hips.
I hope these suggestions have inspired you to get moving with your family. If you have any other questions or want some other suggestions, feel free to reach out to me at marit@homebodiesfitness.com!