| Some of you have been thinking for some time | | | | for walks, it's worth going to the Mall. Walk at a good |
| about persuading your family to exercise together. | | | | brisk pace for at least 20-30 minutes, or less if you |
| First of all you need to sit down and talk about the | | | | feel you're becoming short of breath. When you are |
| different things you all like to do. Give everyone a | | | | there you can reward yourself with some window |
| turn to come up with a week's worth of activities. | | | | shopping. If the Mall isn't to your taste, pick another |
| Many studies have shown that if you exercise for 30 | | | | indoor facility where you can do some brisk |
| consecutive days it becomes a habit. So once you all | | | | walking.Many people keep track of their steps with |
| get past the first month it will become routine and | | | | pedometers. They are inexpensive and people love |
| part of your lifestyle. Remember to keep it fun and | | | | to know how many steps they've taken in a day. |
| give everyone a chance to participate in choosing | | | | Get one for everyone in your family and see who |
| different things to do. Everyone wants to have a | | | | walks the most steps in a week. Whoever wins will |
| say. No one likes to be told over and over what to | | | | be allowed to decide on the menu for a week and |
| do!One of the most favourite exercises is dancing. | | | | doesn't have to do any cleaning or other chores. Or |
| Everyone is able to select their favourite music and | | | | you could have prizes to give away if you |
| you'll all have a chance to dance to it. It's also fun for | | | | prefer.Those of you who enjoy weight training and |
| the younger generation to watch older ones | | | | circuit training could try something like circuit training in |
| dance.Another favourite exercise is swimming. If you | | | | your home. You could start with stretching; and then |
| have a YMCA, community center, or if your school is | | | | move to running up and down the stairs, following |
| lucky enough to have a pool ask if you can use it for | | | | with some floor exercises, such as sit ups, side bends |
| practising. You can also use your creativity in the pool | | | | and push ups. If you have some type of equipment, |
| with different types of swimming, races, or water | | | | like a treadmill, bicycle, Gazelle or something along |
| ballet. Another option if you have the pool to | | | | these lines you could also include that in the circuit. |
| yourselves is to arrange `his and hers` swimming | | | | Do each activity for a couple of minutes or one |
| competitions.One great game the whole family can | | | | repetition and then move to the next "station". Think |
| play is Twister, plus it has the added advantage of | | | | about placing each activity in a different room and |
| stretching all your muscles. Make sure you play | | | | walk briskly or jog to each "station".All these |
| enough games to warm up those muscles (4-8 | | | | activities, shared by the family, can be great fun and |
| games). Since weather is one of the main reasons | | | | can often lead to even more activities. The benefits, |
| why many families around the country don't go out | | | | a healthy and happy family, are there for all to see. |