Summer Fun

Children love to play hard. How can you direct your child's energy into a lifelong love of physical activity? For many children, biking to the playground and playing kickball in the backyard have given way to watching television, playing video games and spending hours online. But it's never too late to get your kids off the couch.

They say that what you do speaks volumes louder than what we say! So, if we show them that we enjoy playing outside they are far more likely to embrace the notion! If we participate in sports and other healthy pursuits our children are far more likely to want to join in.

Even when the weather is 90 degrees outside, we can get out and work up a good sweat rather quickly. Be sure to bring along a big jug of water. Skip the soda during these hot Summer months. You can avoid some useless calories and show them the joys of drinking refreshing water! Get a water filter if the water out of your tap isn't that great.

The benefits of more play and less TV are numerous -

Regular physical activity may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also lower your odds of having heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or cancer. Research shows that people who are overweight, active, and fit live longer than people who are not overweight but are inactive and unfit. Also, physical activity lifts your spirits and gives you more energy.

Sign up for a tennis or basketball league this summer. Or go to the local pool and swim your way to better fitness! You don't have to spend a fortune at the local gym. Go to the park - its free! Bring along a basketball or a couple tennis racquets. Basketball is a great sport for the whole family to enjoy! Encourage your children to adopt healthy habits.