Technology is a great thing.
It’s amazing what “gadgets” and “doo dads” were created to make our lives easier and simpler.
There are so many – I can’t even keep up! I think I was totally lost when I saw the self-parking car.
It seems like a different world when I think back to when I was a kid when I was referred to as a “remote control” household job.
As the youngest child in the room in charge of the remote control, my job duties included getting up and changing TV channels when prompted.
Back then we only had four channels in total! Video games came out when I was probably around 10 years old or so, and as much as I liked the video game pong, video games weren’t nearly as addicting then as to make me sit and play all day.
I think back and remember days on the ball court, on my bike in the street, or playing basketball in my yard. Sometimes when I was bored and wanted to chat I would throw a tennis ball on the roof and try to catch it as it rolled.
Does anyone know what I’m talking about ?!
Today we are more advanced than ever, which is not bad, but at the same time more inactive and unhealthy than in previous years. As parents, this can be worrying as our children spend more time sitting in front of a screen.
With all of this technology, it’s hard to disconnect, but our kids need more physical activity, which prompts us to look for ways to do it. There is nothing we wouldn’t do for our children and we want them to be happy and healthy, but it can be difficult at times to convince them to be active and outside.
I’ve been in the fitness industry for more years than I’d like to admit, and I like to think I learned a few things in the process. Although children are all different, over the years of experience I’ve learned that the best way to keep kids active, healthier, and physically fitter is to have fun!
I have seen many pre-puberty children willing to begin their “exercise regimen” while their parents exercise. The children look forward to starting their new devices. But within a short time the excitement subsides and the next question is: “I’m bored! What’s next?!”
From my fitness experience and as a parent, I believe the best way to keep kids active is to have fun by getting involved and doing it with them! Get active as a parent (or legal guardian) and get moving with your children. I’m not primarily talking about a common training routine, but about just being active together!
Take a walk, bike ride, play a game, shoot basketball, throw a ball, jump a rope, hit tennis balls, teach them a new sport they haven’t learned yet … whatever it is needs – get active with your children! In this way, you accomplish much more than just physical activity.
Not only will you be disconnecting them from their electronic devices, but you’ll also be spending this time together networking and hanging out, which is so valuable, especially as you look back on growing up!
You might even be surprised how they open up to you more by talking and sharing more after having a good time together.
That way, you can spend more time with your child doing something healthy and active together, but it will also count towards your physical activity and health goals!
In conclusion, getting and keeping your kids active can be difficult at times. But when we allow ourselves to give our kids the fun and time they need, we allow ourselves to have the fun and health benefits too!
Let’s go out tonight and start a healthy fitness habit, take a nature walk and get your pet involved, or shoot a few hoops or play a few games, whatever it is, have some fun, and get engaged as a family !
A saying that has been told to me before and that will be passed on for years to come is: “It is our availability that our children need – not so much our abilities.”
Jason Anderson is the health and fitness manager at Owensboro Health Healthpark.
Jason Anderson is the health and fitness manager at Owensboro Health Healthpark.
