Today, the Canadian annual report on child and youth activity was published. The verdict? Kids don’t get enough exercise.
Why am I not surprised? Adults don’t get enough exercise either and children mimic the actions of their elders.
Best advice for getting kids off the couch and moving? Get adults off the couch and moving!
I’ve written a number of posts about family time, exercise and modelling healthy habits for our children. If you have five minutes in your day, go and read one of them and commit to getting yourself and your children moving today!
- My children are my motivation to eat well and exercise daily
- Making fitness a family affair
- Fitness inspiration from my children
And check out my interview with reporter Lauren La Rose, published online today!
Too much screen time, too little play time for Canadian kids
Do your children engage in unstructured, non-electronic play time?
How do you ‘motivate’ your children to go out and play?
I don’t have to ask my kid to be active–as a matter of fact she motivates me. My child is full of energy and the ultimate “outdoor kid” she loves riding her bicycle and hula hooping and as far as fitness goes inside, she loves to work out to my Turbo Jam DVDs and she’s a beginner gymnast and soon to be dancer.
It is my desire to continue to be active so that we can be each other’s motivation.
Great post!
Mandi
Mand,the Sassy Fit Mom recently posted..Bring back the jell-o pudding man! {One-Minute Writer}
Ah! This is so exciting…you are famous:) I am not a mom yet, but I really agree with the “monkey see, monkey do” concept. This goes for eating too…if momma orders french fries, carrots are out. I plan to lead by example! Great job Tamara!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness recently posted..Top 10 Foods for Clear Skin
Hey Talia,
You have the healthy lifestyle thing going for you already. You’ll be a great mom and influencer for your own family when the times comes!
I tweeted the HP article!
Great post! I don’t have kids in the house & when they were young, not a lot of the social media there is out there today. Like you, when I was young, it was “go outside”!!! I think like food & all else, it starts in the home & kids need good examples & you are doing that!
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Thanks so much for all of your support Jody! My kids would spend all day on the computer if I let them. Sometimes you have to be firm and remember that you’re the parent!
Great post! Shared the HP article! I remember back in the day when screen time was zero to nilch! As a kid, I was always at the park, riding my bike or doing something…..outside!
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The reality is that when girls, especially are active they focus on how their bodies function more than on how they look. So active kids are not only more fit, but less prone to eating disorders. Keep it up Tamara!
Great post and I find it’s so true. With my kids, I try to focus on how being active and moving helps to build strong bodies. Like Kymberly said, focusing on how the body functions versus making exercise/being active sound like a chore. Sometimes they give us a hard time about going outside to play and run around but they love it once they are doing it.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Foodie Pen Pal!!
you KNOW KNOW KNOW I agree agree agree
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I try to motivate my children by example. I have never forced my children to exercise but they see me doing they follow. Running is my thing and would never force them to do it but because my kids see how much I love it and make ot fun they are now loving it. My girls are 12 and 8 and they are already competing in 5ks because they want to. I am sure it won’t be long and my little guy will be doing the same’
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