Make this your gift to the next generation
I always enjoy seeing parents engaged in physical activities with their children, whether it is tossing a ball, hiking in the mountains, or walking. It warms my heart because of the numerous benefits on so many levels.
Just like adults, kids need to be physically active to stay healthy. According to the CDC only about 50% of boys and less than 34% of girls of ages 12 to 15 are adequately fit. Research also shows that 80% of overweight children become obese adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, regular exercise helps develop stronger bones, greater muscle strength, improved energy levels, flexibility, and better concentration on academics. It is a win-win for both parents and children.
I know that exercising with your kids is easier said than done, and sometimes they are just too small. Remember there are all sorts of fancy walkers and carriages to take them on a run or a stroll if you feel like it. It is no secret that kids mimic their parent’s behavior, so if they see you put down your phone, get up from your desk or the couch, and willingly exercise, you just may be instilling excellent life-long healthy habits in your offspring.
Personally, I do not remember doing many physical activities with my parents except for maybe a few bike rides with my dad, though he was very uncoordinated and often ran into things. Sometimes my mother and I would take an afternoon walk. I think we mostly didn’t do many physical activities together because there was a clear separation between their activities and our activities. I think that this changed with the times, and I remember that at one time my mother was taking belly dancing lessons, horseback riding lessons, and yoga classes, all at the same time.
My mother treated her horseback riding with girlfriends as therapy and instilled her love of horses in me by taking me to a weekly horseback riding lesson. I rode some awful ponies growing up, and my parents bought horses that weren’t good matches for me based on trainer’s recommendations, but I continued to ride. While I went for almost two decades without riding, I am happy I rediscovered horses. Perhaps you had a “sport” that brought you joy during your childhood, and maybe you can rediscover it with your children.
While there are loads of activities to choose from, it is also about finding sports your children will embrace and not become frustrated. With the summer around the corner, why not try swimming? If you don’t know how to swim, perhaps learn with your children.
I also love jumping on a trampoline for exercise. Trampolines are a convenient and enjoyable way to boost cardiovascular health, improve endurance, and relieve stress. Trampoline jumping also helps develop balance and coordination. It is said that 10 minutes of trampoline jumping is the equivalent of 30 minutes of jogging. Of course, if you haven’t jumped on a trampoline, take baby steps. Do not let your ego get in the way, and by no means try anything that could result in an injury.
One activity I have fun doing with kids is dancing, and it’s a great workout. Research has found that dancing really does make you feel better, and while I do not have any fancy dance moves, if you have a smart speaker, Apple music, or Amazon music, it is really pretty easy to find appropriate dance
music.
Skipping is another exercise to do with your kids. Jordan Metzl, a Manhattan-based sports injury doctor, triathlete, and fitness author says that skipping is entirely worthwhile. “People should skip as part of any workout they do,” Metzl said. Skipping is a plyometric, or jump-training, exercise giving the skipper the ability to “build tremendous strength in a very short period of time.”
Motion is lotion for your joints, so get up and move as best you can. Start from where you are and consider “sneaking” fitness into your day: a few squats when you are waiting for the water to get hot in the kitchen, jumping jacks while you are waiting for the load of laundry to finish, push-ups against the kitchen counter. Practice balance with your children.
Think of small actions done consistently to help with your overall fitness and your children’s fitness. Make exercise fun, make it a bonding experience, and invite others to join you. The more the merrier. Feel free to share your thoughts with me: ashton@ashtoncannon.com
Ashton Graham is an educator, book publisher, photographer, cowgirl and yoga teacher. She is currently studying to become a yoga therapist and lives on a ranch in West Texas. Visit www.ashtoncannon.com to learn more.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Make this your gift to the next generation
