7 Awesome Ways to Get Fit as a Family ...

Playing any type of sport, whether it’s baseball, soccer, or basketball, is one of the best ways to get fit as a family. If you have space in your driveway or backyard, put up a basketball or soccer net and make every night a family sports night. Showing your kids that exercise can be fun is a great way to stay active together.

Participating in a class as a family is a wonderful way to create lasting memories together. Taking a dance class is a great way to stay fit, even if you’re stepping on your partner’s foot every five minutes! Sign up for a swim class to not only stay fit, but to teach your kids how to stay safe in the water. Check out your local YMCA or high school for classes to sign up for.

There are many races or walks that include family activities and slower paced races that are just for kids. During the Fall season there is one called “Monster Mash” that encourages participants to dress up in Halloween costumes! This year I registered for my first 5K walk on Mother’s Day for the Philadelphia Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I walked with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, and family friend. Next year I’m hoping to get my husband and kids involved as well. Walking together for a great cause while staying fit, you can’t beat that!

Instead of driving to the local market, why not bike there as a family? Teaching your kids to use their bikes to go somewhere close to home is a fun way to stay fit and help the environment. Plus, added bonus...you will save on gas money as well! Safe riding is always important, so before you head out on your bikes, pick up a few helmets if you don’t already have them.

Getting fit as a family isn’t just about exercising, it’s about what you eat as well. Your kids eat what you eat and learn from your habits. Start when they are young and teach them about growing their own produce right in your backyard. It doesn’t get any healthier than eating right from your own organic garden.

Turn off the TV, the computer, and put down the cell phones and just go outside! Take a walk, go kayaking, apple picking, build a snow fort; whatever the weather will permit you to do, just go outside and do it! We get so wrapped up in technology and allow the TV to baby-sit our kids while we’re busy that we forget to teach them to play outside and run around every day as well.

For your child’s next birthday, give them a gift that will encourage fitness like a new bike, roller skates, or even a video game like “Just Dance.” A gift like this will motivate them to move in a fun way without them even realizing that they are “exercising” and staying fit!

What are some ways to get fit as a family you have tried to help your kids stay active and healthy?