Let’s be honest – you probably don’t want to be fit and healthy just for you (although more power to you if you do!) You want to be a great example to your kids, so they can grow up fit and healthy.
Walking the talk and prioritising nutrition and exercise is an important part of setting the example. But it can also be a good idea to get active WITH your kids to encourage them! So I thought I’d share some of my top tips for living an active lifestyle as a family – and school holidays are a great time to start!
Plan some activities
To make your lifestyle more active, you need to make time for movement! Look for activities that the whole family can join in on.
You might like to go to the oval and kick around a ball or play some cricket. If everyone is old enough (or you have a bike to accommodate any little ones), go for a family bike ride and take a picnic along.
Don’t forget that even gentle movement is better than none. If you’re feeling a bit tired, head to a local farmer’s market or walk around the local park. Every step counts!
Look for weather-friendly options
Aussie weather can be unpredictable at the best of times. This can make things difficult if you don’t prepare for every eventuality! Get proactive and come up with some alternatives to your favourite activities if the weather does turn.
To give you some ideas:
-
If the weather is too cold – Visit an indoor activity centre such as trampolining, laster tag or even one with a jumping castle, head to a heated swimming pool, or turn your loungeroom into an obstacle course for the kids to complete. Or you could just go for high-intensity outdoor activities, and make sure everyone is sufficiently rugged up!
-
If the weather is too hot – You can head to the beach or pool in the morning, or set up some low impact activities on the deck or patio. Alternatively, just do your favourite outdoor activities early in the morning while it’s still reasonably cool, and make sure everyone has a big drink of water afterwards.
-
If it’s raining – Have a dance party at home! Pop on one of my videos, and get everyone moving their bodies together. You could also set up some play activities if you have a covered deck or patio. For those of you who don’t mind a bit of ‘Baby Shark’ click here or on the video below for a workout you can try with the kids.
Make it a game
There’s a pretty good chance that your kids love to compete and make everything into a game. So you want to choose movement that lets them embrace this!
Make up some competitions or races that ‘test’ different forms of fitness, and keep track of their results so you can celebrate their progress. If your kids enjoy running, check out your local ParkRun location and take them along for a 5km jog.
Looking for inspiration? Check out your local sports store such as Rebel Sport. Many of them sell kid-friendly products you can use for games and even obstacle and backyard ropes courses!
Stuck in the Mud is always a fun game with the kids!
Take a long-term approach
You want your kids to be healthy and active for many years to come. So you don’t have to go from zero to 100 right off the bat, especially if your kids are couch potatoes or you are only starting your fitness journey yourself. Start small, and build it into a long-term habit.
Want to save time, get clarity and clear direction on the best steps for your health journey? The Busy Women’s monthly membership includes all this plus more. The membership moves you through my 5 pillars of health; Exercise Nutrition Sleep Stress Reduction Mindset.
Click here to be notified when doors open again for new members!
Related Posts
