By Kathleen Connelly
I am probably just like you, busy with work, busy with house chores, busy with social events and really busy with kid activities. The question I hear a lot, “with all that going on, how I am I supposed to find time to exercise?” As a wife and mother of 3, I get it! As a trainer and health coach I want to suggest an alternative way of thinking. What if you stop trying to find time away from your family for activity but be active as a family together!
As a parent, we are mentors to our children and we want the best for them. With this in mind we need to remember that they will see how we prioritize our own health and that is what they will learn. Why not show your kids that mom and dad’s health is just as important as all the other responsibilities? A surefire way to teach your kids the importance of health is to be active together. Family time is not just the favorite TV show at the end of night or dinner out on Saturday. There are great ways right here in Fishers for the family to get some exercise together. Plus if you are like me, you are ready to get outdoors after this long winter.
Start scheduling a family walk weekly. Make it official, pick a day and time and put it into the calendar. Visit http://www.fishers.in.us/index.aspx?NID=169 for a list of nature trails at local Fishers parks and distances for each. You can even get the kids involved by letting them pick the park trail that you are going to walk. Spring is coming so grab your helmets and ride to your favorite park for some family playtime. There are bike racks at Brook School Park, Eller Park, Harrison Thompson Park, Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and Roy G. Holland Memorial Park.
If you love that Saturday evening dinner out, walk or bike to your destination. Even when our kids were smaller, we would load them up into the stroller and walk to the nearby Donatos Pizza or sub shop. I personally can’t wait to ride our bikes to Brook School Park, get some subs and enjoy the spring weather.
So what is the take away message? Yes, we are busy but it doesn’t mean as parents our own health has to be lower on the priority list. Your activity doesn’t have to be after the kids go to bed or while they are at school. Start planning your active family time and teach your kids health is an important part of life for the whole family!
