Show an ience it the es i Dad bikes ’ hold Ian :hild’s inia’s ippier are 3s ago 1 hat I st cs (see the :ating g “Parents can help as role models” says Bob Glover author of The Runnel’s Handbook and director of a family fitness program for Post cereals “By exercising together kids learn that exercise is good for you and fun” And by turning fitness into a group experience you can avoid the dreaded “Fun comes first and fitness will follow” says Glover who gets his son Christopher in gear with games of “exploring” or looking for pirates in the park “Racing the elevator” is another ruse he invented to get his son to take the stairs They also bum a lot of calories in “rock ’n’ roll freeze” energetic dancing to rock music with Dad and Son taking turns calling rest pauses “A parent has to find creative ways to get kids to move and to make that a part of their lifestyle” says Marilu Meredith director of youth fitness at the Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas “Any kind of activity helps even if it’s not aerobic or contributing directly to fitness It’s still showing kids the value and the pleasure of regular physical exercise” “The important thing is for kids to see exercise as fun not punishment” agrees Denise Austin an exercise physiologist who makes TV appearances and stars in a family-exercivideo (see below) Don’t rely on schools to take care of your children’s fitness needs warns Austin “Most schools don’t offer daily physical education classes Kids don’t have to be active during recess and they probably aren’t When we were kids we’d stay after school and play sports Today’s latchkey youngsters have to come straight home and go inside” Another caution: Parents should downplay competition and performance goals in family activities says Weltman “High expectations competition and pressure will burn a kid out early — possibly for life The best goals are simply to keep active and to have fun” Here’s how to get moving and get fit: Work at the kids’ level of performance You can get your own hard workout later Before age 6 most kids don’t have the attention span or coordination to do exer- se jassa 3ent’s 5 to 8 sease: i cho- says: more with nilies : build there tblish you that are open to walkers before business hours Get the family involved in a winter sport Alpine and skiing and ice skating are tailor-mad- e for fitness and togetherness Watch for family-swihours at local pools Comschools and health clubs also churches centers munity may have special times for family activities Turn your TV into a lean mean fitness machine with home exercise videos Look for those made especially for families or join the kids in routines created for their ability Some suggestions: Denise Austin’s Family Workout $3375 (Am way 67) Peter Vidmar's Fitnastics $ 1 595 pre-paAV Library 5000 Park St N St Petersburg Fla 33709) Kids in Motion $2995 (Young Heart Records 213 663-32selections from the video also appear on cable’s Nickelodeon channel) cross-count- ry m good pcrts d of iping that igc 5 little ick a your nstall i and i way you r hings ling shop near 1 (Fit-nasti- cs id Start a home gym with high-tec- h all- low-impa- ct family equipment Bodyball from the makers of Heavy Hands is a soft squeezable update of the medicine ball which adds cardiovascular and isometric benefit to workouts $1025 (SLM Action Sports e 1) Kidcycle is a computerized version of adults’ electronic exercise bikes for ages 2 $1250 (Apparent Inc 916 kid-siz- 1 477-250- 0) Build family vacations around calorie-burnin- g activities Take a ski trip teach your kids to canoe or go hiking or biking in a national park — Bonnie Jacob USA WEEKEND0CT0BER 1938 Uj teens get little exercise even though they may be big fans of football or hockey or other team sports Do an activity together (or work out) regularly at least 20 minutes three or four days a week Be alert for feedback from the kids If they are hurting bored or tired ease up If you can’t always work out or play together find a ceremonial way to share your progress and your experiences maybe with dinnertime reports or a bulletin board That way you’ll at least be together in spirit cises long enough or effectively enough to enhance physical fitness Focus on fun and awareness Include activities that each person enjoys Let everyone have a chance to shine Be participants in sports not just spectators A lot of As your family works into the fitness groove don’t be surprised if you feel happier as well as healthier There’s plenty of evidence that exercise reduces stress and helps kids concentrate better in school and on homework There might even be fewer family squabbles Austin points out one more benefit that every parent will appreciate: “The kids will sleep better They might even start going to bed earlier” By Bonnie Jacob |