by Pennie Sempell
It may seem like there are just not enough hours in the day to add in an exercise routine. Believe me when I say that making that time is an investment that will pay off handsomely in years to come. Many habits are learned at home, and it turns out that your child is more likely to seek to remain fit as an adult if that behavior was practiced in the family.
Here are three great reasons to make it a priority to work fitness habits into your family’s daily life.
1) Fight Disease: You want your child to be as healthy as he or she can be. Staying healthy is not accidental. Colds and upper respiratory infections are reduced with a regular exercise program. Taking the long view, many of the chronic diseases that plague a majority of American’s over 60 could have been prevented, or symptoms largely reduced, by exercise. The risk of cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes are all reduced by exercise! Isn’t this reason enough?
2) Sleep Better: Having trouble getting to little one to bed, or falling into a deep sleep yourself? Exercise is energizing, so you don’t want to get the family doing jumping jacks before bedtime. Yet, exercise also helps reduce stress and, in time, will help the little ones and you sleep better and feel more energized during the day.
3) Stay Youthful: You want to be healthy and alert when your toddler is grown and has a child of her own, right? Studies have found that regular exercise is a powerful tool to fight aging by reducing bone loss, muscle loss and improving circulation. Other studies show a protective effect of exercise on memory, cognitive functions and reducing dementia.
One affordable way to get exercise are going for a 20 minute walk. This might be the high school track. Take a ball along and toss while you walk. Another option is membership in a local YMCA or community center that offers exercise classes, a pool, basketball courts or other ways to have fun and exercise with others.
Stay fit for life. You’ll be glad you did.
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy. www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
It may seem like there are just not enough hours in the day to add in an exercise routine. Believe me when I say that making that time is an investment that will pay off handsomely in years to come. Many habits are learned at home, and it turns out that your child is more likely to seek to remain fit as an adult if that behavior was practiced in the family.
Here are three great reasons to make it a priority to work fitness habits into your family’s daily life.
1) Fight Disease: You want your child to be as healthy as he or she can be. Staying healthy is not accidental. Colds and upper respiratory infections are reduced with a regular exercise program. Taking the long view, many of the chronic diseases that plague a majority of American’s over 60 could have been prevented, or symptoms largely reduced, by exercise. The risk of cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes are all reduced by exercise! Isn’t this reason enough?
2) Sleep Better: Having trouble getting to little one to bed, or falling into a deep sleep yourself? Exercise is energizing, so you don’t want to get the family doing jumping jacks before bedtime. Yet, exercise also helps reduce stress and, in time, will help the little ones and you sleep better and feel more energized during the day.
3) Stay Youthful: You want to be healthy and alert when your toddler is grown and has a child of her own, right? Studies have found that regular exercise is a powerful tool to fight aging by reducing bone loss, muscle loss and improving circulation. Other studies show a protective effect of exercise on memory, cognitive functions and reducing dementia.
One affordable way to get exercise are going for a 20 minute walk. This might be the high school track. Take a ball along and toss while you walk. Another option is membership in a local YMCA or community center that offers exercise classes, a pool, basketball courts or other ways to have fun and exercise with others.
Stay fit for life. You’ll be glad you did.
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy. www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
