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The Spring Shake Up!
Families Work Better When They Work out Together
By Kelli Calabrese, M.S., CSCS
Plan a dynamic summer vacation that includes physical activities for everyone: a walking tour, playing volleyball, kayaking, white water rafting, snorkeling, skiing or snow boarding, hiking a trail or climbing a summit. If an 
extravagant summer vacation isn't on your to-do list this year, the "vacation" can be a simple day trip in your own neighborhood.
Make the most of family time by choosing activities that offer health and fitness benefits and other valuable life skills and lessons. Most of all, the activities should help enhance the family bond. Continue to encourage your children to be active, and they'll be likely to carry those good habits into adulthood. You'll also find that your physically active children have fewer chronic health problems than kids who are sedentary. In addition, children who are fit are better able to meet the demands of daily physical activity, have a stronger self-image and more self-confidence.
Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers – or somewhere in between – encouraging physical activity is the best thing you can do for their health as they develop into adults. Parents, teachers and coaches all have a role to play, as each can help kids think positively about exercise and motivate them to make regular physical activity a lifetime pursuit.
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