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Family Fitness
Build Strong Bodies and Strengthen Relationships
By Charlene Torkelson
When the fitness bug hits, you want to share it with everyone – including your family. Especially your family. When you feel and look great from a healthy fitness routine, you want your loved ones to share those benefits because it's not just about a fit body, but also about mental and emotional health. Fitness spans all boundaries to improve your overall health – something as important for kids as it is for adults.
If you think fitness isn't a priority for your family, just review these statistics displayed on the Web site of Northwest Athletic Club. In her article on "Fit Families," Deborah Plitt sums up her concerns: "The average child watches 20 to 30 hours of TV each week. Thirty percent of children and teens are overweight, and the number keeps climbing. The number of overweight children has more than doubled in the last three decades. An overweight child has a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Seventy percent of 10- to 13-year-olds who are overweight now will be obese as adults."
Those statistics should make you sit up and think. Then after you've sat a while, get up and do something about it.
What are some great activities you can do as a family that will improve your fitness at the same time? Walking and jogging can be great for all ages. A jogging stroller is a great investment. There are even doubles jogging strollers that accommodate two children at the same time. After you get a stroller, find out where trails are in your area. There are some great trails around scenic lakes and parks, even if you live in an urban setting.
