| Exercise for the Kids - and Mom! |
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| Exercise for the Kids - and Mom! |
| Each month, we usually provide some sort
of exercise with the weightlifter in
mind.
This month will be a little different.
We
are focusing on the kids...and mom!
That's
right, we thought we would make it
fun for
mom and the kids to get into a little
exercsing
together, so here we go! Moms, remember
to
make this a fun session. If it becomes
too
serious and something the children
don't
enjoy, they'll avoid it like the plague
and
quite possibly set themsleves up for
a lifetime
of lethargy! Our target audience here are moms, of course, and our little ones below the age of seven. These little ones don't need to be "hitting the weights," but instead need to focus on activities that develop muscle strength, stamina and aerobic conditioning. Try not to make these structured training sessions as we adults would. For example, instead of the aerobic activity consisting of running or walking a particular distance, make it fun by turning it into a game of tag, or monsters, where you pretend to be Godzilla (my son's favorite) and trounce after them. This is a wonderful way to raise you and your child's aerobic activity level! An example of interval training can go like this - we go for a walk as my little guy rides his bike and at certain intervals we will race out ahead of him and call out "I'm beating you!" This in turn spurs his competitive juices as he peddles faster to catch up and pass us. Thus, we are increasing our aerobic capacity with interval type trainnig right along with him! A trip to the playground doesn't have to be mom or dad sitting on the bench while junior climbs all over the monkey bars. Instead, climb right along with them! Turn it into a game where you are exploring. You aren't going up the stairs, you are climbing a mountain. Going through the tubes becomes cave exploration and a trip down the slide becomes a waterfall adventure! All the climbing, crawling and sliding helps develop the strength the little ones need. As for actual exercises, you can introduce them to the basic movements of twisting and turning. Introduce them to side bends, trunk twists, arm circles and knee lifts. However, remember that the key here is to have fun. Introduce them slowly to the world of exercise and as the Bible says:" Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 |
| Here is a wonderful exercise program, downloadable
for free from the American Councel
of Fitness http://www.acefitness.org/ofk/youthfitness/default.aspx |
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