Fitness is a challenge at the best of times, especially when you’re trying to get your children to pay attention. There’s something about the mention of health that makes kids turn off. Making them sit up and take notice isn’t easy. In fact, it’s going to take a fair amount of work on your part. The thing to bear in mind is that children like to play. Making fitness as fun as possible is your best bet in achieving your goals. Here are some ideas that might make your kids take notice.
MAKE SPORT A GAME
If you’re lucky, your child will already have a sporty side. If that’s the case, it won’t take effort to get them to do a little exercise. If your child isn’t sporty, it can be a little harder. Try your best to get your child involved in the purchasing of some sports equipment. What sport they choose is up to them, so long as they’re getting exercise. If they’re against sports, try avoiding that word. Even a skipping rope or a hula hoop will do the job! Try to disguise sports in activities your child is going to like. It can be worth getting their friends involved, too. Children are more likely to get behind something if their friends are getting stuck in!
GET CREATIVE WITH FOOD
It’s not just exercise that can help in the quest for fitness in your child. Food plays a major part as well. Most children are against healthy eating. Your job is to persuade them that healthy food is not necessarily boring. How you do this is up to you. Try to avoid serving them plain vegetables and salad. Disguise their vegetables inside dishes. Keep salad minimal. It can help to make a game of food as well. We always tell our kids not to play with their food, but it’s worth it if it gets them eating. You could do blind taste tests to get them familiar with new foods. You could present their foods in fun ways too. Who can resist vegetables when they’re portrayed as a funny picture? Be as creative as possible to ensure your kids tuck in!
GET INVOLVED
As parents, we always have to concentrate on setting the best example possible. Your kid’s fitness journey is no different. How can you expect them to care about their health if you don’t care about your own? Make a conscious effort to play sports with them. Exercise on your own, too, and let your children see you. They’ll be intrigued and will want to get involved! Make sure you’re eating healthily, as well. You can’t expect your children to eat the veg if you’re tucking into a pizza right next to them. Remember that children often want to copy the behavior of their parents. If they see that you’re enjoying vegetables, they’re more likely to do the same. Live the life you’d like them to live. Your behavior will have the best effect!