Physical fitness should be an important component in your weight management journey. While you don’t have to exercise like an athlete, health professionals recommend at least 150 minutes of activity per week. Wouldn’t that goal be a lot easier to achieve if you had your family on-board?
Families Make a Difference.
Our families are important to us. They are a source of comfort when things get rough and a source of encouragement along the roads that life takes us on. The journey with weight should be no different! It always helps to have core people in your circle.
Having your family involved in your health journey benefits everyone – not just you! No matter our age or health status, we should all aim to be physically active and promote mind/body wellness. A healthy family is a happy family, and a happy family can do anything together!
How to Encourage Physical Fitness
However, not everyone in your family may be on the same page as you when it comes to weight and health. Maybe exercise isn’t their thing or they struggle with physical fitness themselves. This is okay. You can encourage regular activity in a variety of ways:
Take Active Family Trips
Do you have a weekend off together? Are you taking advantage of vacation time? Don’t spend the extra time sitting on a couch or repeating your regular routine. Get out and get active! Try hiking, camping or exploring a new town on-foot. You will reap the benefits of exercise without even trying. Active family trips are fun!
Participate in Family Sports
When the gang is all together, why not plan a family game of kickball, basketball or another sport? Activity is always healthier than sitting around a table full of food or beverages. You can even look for a family league in our area (bowling is one example) that allows for you to compete against other families. Competition is engaging!
Combine Workout Routines
Is more than one person in your family trying to manage their weight? Instead of exercising separately, why not with each other? This is a great way to maintain momentum as well as motivation. Plus, you’re so much less likely to get bored!
Promote Quality Time Together
Exercising as a family doesn’t have to be an organized, painstakingly thought-out ordeal. If your goal is to simply spend some quality time together, try going for a long walk after dinner or a group bike ride on the weekends. Simplicity is okay.
Conclusion
Because weight is often considered a personal subject, many people are reluctant to exercise around other people – especially people they know and love. Remember that your goal shouldn’t be a number on a scale. You should focus on promoting overall health and wellness, and there’s no reason why your family shouldn’t be a part of that.
