Health and Fitness

Tips for an Active Family

It’s easy to keep your family active together—especially over the summer months! Maintaining an active family lifestyle is easier when you create a home environment supportive of the effort. And carry the momentum outside the home. Even with a hectic schedule, your family’s lifestyle can remain active.

1. Plan active vacations, like hiking or beach trips.
2. Take family walks in the evening. This gives you a chance to catch up on the day with each other and relieve stress while getting some exercise. Put it on the schedule to make it part of your daily routine.
3. Set a family challenge to see who can walk the most steps in one day. Or in one week. Winner gets a chore-free day!
4. Walk to find a family member when you need them instead of yelling across the house for them.
5. Wash the car by hand instead of going to a car wash. And maybe get in a water fight!
6. Put on some music and dance while cleaning the house together.
7. Make TV time work for you by jogging in place, doing jumping jacks, crunches, push-ups, and other exercises.
8. Walk around the house or neighborhood while talking on the phone.
9. Spend leisure time being active. Ride your bikes. Go hiking. Play tag, basketball, or soccer. Or if the family is supporting one member at a game, walk up and down the stands while cheering on the team!
10. Leave the room during TV commercials. Use the break to put away dishes and laundry, or accomplish other tasks that add movement and help boost your daily steps.
11. Instead of a carpool, organize a walking pool where neighborhood parents take turns walking the kids to school.
12. Keep a pair of tennis shoes in your locker or desk and walk outside or in the building during breaks.