7 Secrets To Family Fitness

7 Secrets To Family Fitness

Maybe you’re concerned about your child’s weight, or your own. Maybe you’ve noticed your family getting regularly mesmerized by their one-eyed monsters (TV, computer, video games), and they tend to be more sedentary instead of being more active.

 

Maybe you’ve planned a fun and exciting summer vacation to the beach or hiking in the mountains and want to use that as a catalyst for getting in shape.  

Whatever your reasons, there are many ways to get motivated and get started on improving your family’s fitness.

Creating a family fitness plan doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming…just follow these seven secrets and you’ll be surprised how quick your family members transform from couch potatoes into healthier, happier human beings!

 

The Seven Secrets…

 

#1) You And Your Family’s Health And Fitness Are The Key.

Physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, psychological, and relational health and fitness should never be neglected.

Everything you own and everything you share with your family, friends, and other loved ones is meaningless if you don’t have a body to enjoy them in.

 

#2) You’ve Gotta Change Your Definition Of Fitness.

The thought that the only way to get fit is by using rigid, structured, and grueling workouts is definitely a myth. Fitness can be achieved exposing your body to any physical activity on regular basis.

Ask a 4-year old whether she feels that playing tag is a good workout. You’ll likely get a strange, puzzled look that only someone that age can give.

Movement comes naturally to children, that is, until we teach them not to move, to sit still, to take life too seriously, and to continuously shoot for more and more achievements while unconsciously ignoring their body.

 

#3) Move Together, Whenever…

More kids are playing sports or involved in other activities at an earlier age these days. Ever notice how many parents and siblings just sit around and watch the action instead of getting up and moving around themselves?

Instead of just sitting there, pick some activity that will get the non-participating family members moving: walk/jog outdoors, jump rope, toss a Frisbee around, play tag, or kick a soccer ball…it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as everyone does it together and everyone is moving.

#4) Throw Out Old, Tired Excuses For Not Exercising.

Like…”We’re so busy, we don’t have time.” An estimated 30 million Americans watched the season finale of American Idol; and there’s nothing wrong with watching this or any other show.  But if you’re so short on time for your health or fitness, then do you really have time for TV?

#5) Break Your Own Record! Wisely!

Continually work to set personal “bests,” if you never try to outperform what you’ve done in the past or increase your intensity, your fitness level will never improve.   In a family setting, family members need to monitor each other’s exercise intensity.

Many times, it could be as simple as saying something like, “Okay Mom, you did 7 pushups last time; let’s aim for 10 this time.” Conversely, some family members may try to push too hard, so family members can help with this as well.

For example, a wife talking to her overly zealous husband may say, “I know you want to add weight to the squats, but the doctor said not to until you have fully recovered from the injury you received during your last softball game.”

#6) Put It Down On Paper…

Rule: If it’s not scheduled, it won’t get done on a regular basis, period. Enough said!

#7) Consistency IS The Key!

It’s much better to exercise three to five days per week for 20-30 minutes than it is to exercise one day per week for two hours.  Performing a variety of physical activities you like most days of the week on a consistent basis, week after week, will absolutely change your life.

Okay, now you have it.  Get up, flip the switch and approach fitness in a fresh and different way. Simply put, fitness is all about one thing: Looking, Feeling, and Performing Better Today.

Get active. Just move. It takes regular activity to stay fit, so don’t get intimidated or even buy into the traditional exercise model.  With nearly 70% of the adult population in Texas being overweight or clinically obese…I’d say that model (among many other things) is broken!

You’ve got time. Time for work, time for family, and you can make both of them better by making time for fitness.

Robert Selders, Jr. is a certified personal trainer, author, speaker, and the owner of 3Q Fitness Studio in Garland, TX.  Learn more about how you can receive a free week of personal training to test drive his exercise and nutrition programs that are guaranteed to get you the results you want or your money back at www.3QFitness.com.