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Child's Play
Combining Fitness and Fun
By Donna Smith
How many parents do you know who would get their kids a membership to a gym? Probably not many, because kids have found an incredibly simple, inexpensive and fun way to get a workout – through play!
"Most children get all the exercise they need during their daily activities," says Catherine Cram, M.S., pre- and postnatal fitness expert and exercise physiologist. According to Cram, the only time a child's exercise level should be of concern is if the child is developing an obesity problem. "For most overweight children the issue is two-fold, and diet and activity levels need to be assessed," she says.
But be careful not to be too rigid about exercise. "Creating structured exercise for young children can create negative feelings toward fitness," Cram says. "The best objective is to encourage free play for your child and limit time spent in front of the television or computer."
To keep kids away from the TV and off the couch, encourage games to get kids moving – and set a positive example by joining in. What sounds like more fun, 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill or 30 minutes of playing and laughing with your children? Good answer! Now here are some ideas to get you started.