BONUS BLOG/ Keeping The Whole Family Moving
Anya Willis is a mother of three and has been a yoga instructor for the past 12 years. For most of her childhood Anya struggled with her weight. She was a bookworm since the moment she could read, and had zero interest in physical activity. In school, she was bullied because of her weight, and it wasn’t until she took a yoga class in college that things started to change. She fell in love with how yoga used her whole body and mind. For Anya this was the catalyst she needed, she found a new interest in her physical health and started striving for a healthier life. Reflecting on her younger years, Anya became passionate about kids being active and healthy.
When Anya had her kids she was thrilled about keeping them active, but found that yoga wasn’t for everyone. She felt stumped for awhile and started researching fitness alternatives to please the varied personalities of her three kids. After doing some research and thinking about the differences in her kids, Anya discovered some really fun fitness alternatives.
https://fitkids.info
Keeping The Whole Family Moving
By: Anya Willis
When families spend time together, sometimes it’s natural for boredom to brew and tensions to rise. However, starting a family exercise routine might be the perfect solution. While it can be challenging at first to find activities that everyone enjoys, Bluebird Counseling Services and fitkids.info have paired up to share some resources to help point you in the right direction.
Getting Ready to Work Out
Before you can dive in, it helps to make a plan for your family to get active together.
● Before starting a fitness routine, it might help to have a general routine in place first.
● Enforcing a regular bedtime is a good way to kickstart your routine.
● If a routine is too fluid, making a schedule may provide the structure you need.
● Make sure you have workout equipment such as yoga mats, weights, and compact rope
trainers.
● Designate a workout area in your home, set it up with your new equipment, and make
sure it’s free of negative influence.
Activities for Everyone
After getting everyone on the same page, it’s time to work some more fitness into your days.
● You can also stream at-home fitness programs online, which are fun for the whole
family.
● Yoga can be a great way to get the whole family together and moving.
● Take small opportunities throughout your day to add in exercise. For example, walk to a
few errands, get off the bus a few stops early, or take the stairs.
● Gardening is a unique way to be active while also getting fresh produce for your family.
● Even something like household chores can be a form of exercise for your family.
(Quick Tip) Pick up an affordable speaker and add a little music to keep you motivated!
Parent-Kid Exercises to Try
Some exercises don’t work well as group activities. These fitness ideas might be the perfect way to spend time one-on-one with each of your kids.
● Active video games can get you and your child moving.
● If you already do body weight exercises at home, let your kids join in.
● If you have older kids, do a one-on-one strength training session together.
Maintaining your own fitness at home takes some effort, but it’s even harder to ensure your whole family is getting enough physical activity each day. By establishing fitness routines and looking for ways to make exercise fun, though, you can encourage everyone to be active at home.
Resources:
Tensions to rise - https://naturallyashlie.com/5-mistakes-commonly-made-when-stressed-out/
Bluebird Counseling Services - https://www.bluebirdcounselingservices.com/
Have a general routine - https://www.ahaparenting.com/ask-the-doctor-1/starting-a-family-routine
Making a schedule - https://www.verywellfamily.com/easy-steps-to-a-daily-family-schedule-620635
Compact rope trainers - https://www.ropeflex.com/compact-rope-trainers
Free of negative influence - https://www.redfin.com/blog/clearing-bad-energy-from-your-home/
At-home fitness - http://womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/fat-loss/a28770065/home-workout-tips/
Family together and moving - https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/focus-on-family-fun/
Small opportunities throughout your day - https://www.zenbusiness.com/blog/living-a-healthier-lifestyle-with-smarter-choices/
Like household chores - https://www.moneyprodigy.com/chore-games/
Active video games - https://www.teamsnap.com/community/sports-science/sports-science-for-kids/active-video-games-can-get-kids-moving-as-much-as-being-outdoors
Body weight exercises - https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19539857/9-awesome-ways-to-exercise-with-your-kid/
Strength training session - https://health.choc.org/is-strength-training-safe-for-kids-and-teens/
