Exercise: Finding Time When You Have Kids

Do you ever wonder how you can help your children get the recommended 1+ hours of daily physical activity when you can't even make it to the gym? If so, you need to rethink your idea of exercise.

A workout doesn't have to require running,  lifting weights, or going to the gym, all of which require you to set aside dedicated blocks of time. You need to consider exercise more as leading an active lifestyle and start involving your kids…you'll be able to fit in more than you think.

Games like tag, hopscotch, and capture the flag are all fun activities which can be a great work-out. Riding green machines, skateboarding, or rollerblading are other options. You can also shoot baskets, swim, bike, dance, jump rope, or even jump on a trampoline. A favorite at our house is running around shooting Nerf guns. For more sports-oriented activities, tennis, volleyball, soccer, badminton, and golf are great choices. The possibilities are endless. 
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Check out the chart below of different activities. You’ll be surprised how many calories you can burn just by having fun. 

Playing with your kids can provide a well rounded workout.  Varying your activities will tone your muscles and provide cardiovascular benefit as well as burn calories.  As a bonus, exercise with your family does double duty as quality time...no small consideration given our jam-packed schedules. Let these creative ideas help you turn every day into an opportunity to get fit, have fun together, and teach your kids to love to move.

Calculate your calories burned when you enter your activity, weight, and time:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/exercise/lookup