Most people have watched or heard of the program "The Biggest Loser" on television. It's so easy to get involved (through the television, of course) in these people's lives, seeing them at their worst and their best, seeing the support they receive from family and friends, the competition with the other contestants...
Have you ever thought about YOUR FAMILY being the OTHER contestants in a family friendly game of fitness and health? Who can lose the most inches of fat? Who can lose the most weight? Who can last the longest with that exercise video you just bought (and is probably still in the plastic wrap it was sold in?)
Do you think that, maybe, IF the WHOLE family were involved in some kind of diet or fitness regimen that it would be easier for YOU to lose the weight you need to feel and look better? Wouldn't it be easier to not put off the exercise if you had someone with you?
Some of your family members may not need to be on a "diet", however, if the goal is to encourage healthy eating and build up good eating habits, definitely, that is something the whole family can be involved in. Less junk food in the house (if EVERYONE in the family is doing this, there should be lots less junk food in the house!) is a good start to eating healthier. Wouldn't it be easier for you, the adult, to stick to that healthy diet as you won't be seeing all the good tasting stuff (but bad for you) go into the mouths of the kids or your spouse?
Wouldn't it be easier to get a mile or two of walking in most days if the spouse and/or the kids joined you? Wow, a novelty thought, exercise and quality time with the family all in one shot! Doesn't that sound nice? That walk probably wouldn't even feel like exercise it would be so much more fun.
TIP - Just because you are walking doesn't mean the kids have to...
My boys would sometimes bring their skateboards with them and ride all the little dips and curves in our neighborhood while I walked. They were always in sight, we talked, and they got to show off their skills (can I say that they sometimes scared the living you-know-what out of me with the jumps and turns they showed me?) On another note, when they joined me with their skateboards, they always wanted to take the trails that had the most dips, hills, and twists. Can I tell you how much more of a workout my legs got with those extra up and downs in the sidewalk! Think treadmill with a constant up and down incline! The butt and legs got GREAT workouts on those walks! Hey, your kids probably have bikes, roller blades, scooters... Need I say more?
It's also a great opportunity to spend more time with the spouse. Whether THEY need to lose weight or not, exercise is always a benefit. Those walks could be a great time to talk about what's going on at work, at school, catching up with what's going on with the family, or maybe talking about the new vacation spot you'd like to visit this year. Get creative and every so often take your walks away from the neighborhood!
Make a date and visit the beach early in the morning (or right at dusk). Roll up your pants cuffs and take off your sneakers! Hold hands with your spouse and take a brisk walk at the waters' edge and just feel the tension and stress melt away from both of you. Walking on beach sand is excellent exercise for your whole body as you are constantly moving your muscles to compensate for the shifting sand under your feet. An added benefit is that salt water is good for any cuts or sores you may have on your feet.
Maybe you don't live near the beach... How about a pond, a lake, a river, or the woods? Do you have a local park with a walking path? How about a bike park? Riding bikes is another excellent way to exercise, have fun, and spend time with your partner or kids. Instead of going to the local mall to window shop, plan on a power walk instead... (large stores like Wal-Mart often are open round the clock or have extended hours - they are well lit, have great walking surfaces, and there's stuff to look at while you are taking your walk around the store)
Shopping plazas are another great place to visit to get some variety in your walking schedule. So are schools, large libraries, and sports fields. The kids and the spouse will be more apt to continue joining you when you keep things fresh, and to be honest, you'll be more interested and enjoy it more yourself. I mentioned it earlier, but I have to say it again. Eating right is easier when the whole family is on the same regimen, a.k.a. healthy eating! And...
Exercising will be so much more fun and rewarding when you add the family into the mix. You'll be spending more quality time with them, building up muscle and losing weight all at the same time. It almost can't get better than that!
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