Teaching your kids the good habits since a young age will help them maintain them. Since they tend to follow us and copy what we do, it will be easier to get them to have a healthy lifestyle if you show them since they are young. That being said, you don’t need to take them to the gym either, nor add weight lifting to their daily activities. However, you can start doing some simple home exercises with your children, to transmit the imprtance of being healthy, and get them in the habit of working out.
Planking
You can do this as a fun, competitive exercise with your kids. You just have to ask them to put their elbows on the floor, while they stay balanced on their tip toes. While you do it together, suggest to keep eye contact to motivate them. They will love it, especially if you add a small challenge to it, such as the winner is who lasts 30 seconds. You will notice how excited they will get, because children love challenges.
Squats
Squats are quite fun. You can do them even while watching TV, or playing video games. Being an easy and quick exercise, children will not struggle with it as much as we do. Make sure to tell them stand with their feet shoulder’s width apart, and to deep their knee bends. Don’t forget to explain th benefits of each exercise, and always offer a treat at the end of the ”game”.
Butterfly Kicks
When you go with your kids to the park, show them how to do butterfly kicks. Lay them flat on their back, and extend their legs straight out. Tell them to imagine a swimmer, and begin to kick their legs without bending at the knee. Start with your feet high off of the floor, as the move gets more difficult the closer the action is to the floor.
Leg Raises
This one is the easiest. You all can stand together in a line, and start raising one leg at a time. This works out the abdominal area, and the lower back. You can do a set for each leg, making it faster each set. Children will absolutely love this exercise, especially if you do it together.
Walking
One of the most important exerices out there is walking. Many children nowadays are used to riding in cars to go to school. However, walking is a very healthy exercise. When children are not used to it, they will hate it as they grow up. This will come in handy for them later in life, when they visit a new city especially. Teach your children the importance of such an easy exercise, and take them on walks as often as you can.
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