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It has never been more difficult to get kids to engage in physical activity as it is today. The video generation slouches in front of TVs, sits for hours mesmerized by fantasy games and communicates (usually superficially via greatly abbreviated text language) via not-so-social computer screens. There was a time when kids played games like hopscotch, tag, and jump rope not knowing that it qualified as exercise. It was just fun! But hopscotch improved balance and coordination, the constant stop-and-go running in a healthy game of tag elevated heart rate to more efficiently burn calories, and the regular interval in jumping rope pumped the heart steadily and was an efficient form of aerobic exercise.
 Exercise that isn’t exercise is easy.
Just walking the dog everyday is a sure-fire way to maintain regular exercise, which is much more advantageous, in the long run, than intermittent exercising. Jogging or walking at a brisk pace floods the body with endorphins and has several other health benefits.
Kids can help carry groceries, cut the grass, rake leaves or help wash the windows. By doing so kids are not only moving and stretching, but they are also making a positive contribution to their family and raising their own self-esteem.
There are many ways that physical activity can help improve a child's self image and be part of a joyful family experience. Consider the part that the simple bicycle plays in a child's life. From first learning on a tricycle to the celebrated arrival of the two-wheeler, riding a bicycle is a milestone in the lives of most kids. Mastering the bicycle is something that can be viewed as an achievement as well as an easy way to increase a child’s physical activity. Biking helps children develop coordination, balance, work the back muscle groups that aid good posture, and build up leg muscles. It becomes a win-win activity.
There are many ways to make fitness a family event. Of course we are a little prejudiced in this regard. We believe that gardening tops the list. Digging, carrying, raking, weeding, pulling, pushing and reaching all keep the body in shape while the wonders found in the garden stir the mind and the joy of gardening refreshes the soul.
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