10+ Ways to Set and Maintain Family Fitness Goals
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Interrupted sleep? Chasing toddlers around? Carpooling kids to practice? Struggling to get yourself and your family into a fitness routine?
The exhaustion of parenting often causes most of us to postpone our fitness goals until “someday” when we will have more sleep and more time.
Unfortunately, we become increasingly tired and out of shape, as our kids are watching and learning from out habits.
Postponing exercise…
increases tiredness
decreases our stamina
weakens our immunity
impacts our mood
Now, I’m not a doctor or a fitness guru, just a 49 year old mom and grandma who has felt and observed the impact of fitness in our family life.
I was never an athlete and honestly hated anything that remotely elevated my heart rate or required exertion of any type.
Over time however, I came to appreciate…
the mental health break of leaving the kids with my husband to go walking or go to the gym.
the long naps the kids would take after an active morning outside.
the increase in energy after just 10 minutes of activity.
As the kids grew older, we tried new activities as a family like…
snowshoeing
karate
walking to local restaurants instead of driving
Of course, check with your doctor before beginning your fitness goals, but don’t keep postponing until that “someday” when you think it will get easier. It never gets easier, so you have to plan for it!
Write down your plan and track your progress!
As the Noteworthy Parenting motto goes…
Think it… Note it… Parent it…
Here are some tips to increase your family fitness…
Post a fitness challenge on the refrigerator for the whole family to participate in.
Print out a fitness challenge using dice or cards. Check out this UNO work out found online.
Let a each family member take a turn to create and post a fitness challenge on the fridge.
Sign up to walk or run in a race to support a charity.
Write different exercises on popsicle sticks. Pick out a few to create a unique family workout each day.
Sign up for family classes at your local recreation or city center such as parent/tot…
swimming
yoga
Get Equipped
Home workouts? What will you need?
Weights?
Mats?
Videos?
Family workouts? What will you need?
Strollers? Backpacks? Sunscreen? Water Bottles?
Pedometers? Check out this kids pedometer! Begin a family step challenge!
Need Weather Gear? Kids love to get out in the rain and snow to splash in puddles and build snow forts!
Coats, jackets
Boots
Hats and gloves
Just got home on a wet weather day? Let the kids play outside for a few minutes while they are still bundled up.
Choose active family entertainment
Go to the park and swing with the kids or toss a frisbee around!
Play flag football, softball or shoot some hoops.
Remember your favorite recess games like tag, hopscotch or four square? Check out weareteachers.com for more games.
Jump rope or hula hoop.
Head to the Zoo, Museum, or Putt Putt.
Remember seasonal outdoor recreation…
Winter…
Snowshoeing
Skiing
Build a snowman
Sledding
Tubing
Spring…
Gardening
Make Mud Pies
Picnic at the park
Baseball
Soccer
Summer…
Swimming
Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing,
Hiking
Biking
Water balloon fight!
Fall…
Corn Mazes
Pumpkin Patches
Hiking
Apple Picking
Leaf Raking and leaf pile jumping
What regional recreation activities can you take advantage of where you live?
Sailing?
Skiing?
Snorkling?
Camping?
Golfing?
Surfing?
Ice Fishing?
Paddle Boarding?
Play your favorite music
Have a family dance party.
Chill and do some yoga.
Learn some dance moves here on GoNoodle! You can sign up for free!
If you are trying to set a workout routine…
Decide on a morning, afternoon or evening work out time.
Have your workout clothes and gear ready the night before.
Grab the stroller and walk the local indoor mall if the weather is bad.
Buddy up with other parents
Trade off babysitting duties.
Work out together for that extra accountability.
Bring your families to the park or the pool and trade-off who plays with the kids while the other works out.
Be active on vacation!
o Break up long drives with picnics in a park.
o Swim at the hotel.
o Try a new sport.
o Check out a Local, State or National park.
Find mentors…check out these 3 mentors of mine…
Katie, my sister in law, who while pregnant with her second child, took her one year old out each day to get in her 10,000 steps! She held herself accountable by posting on her Instagram story everyday. She also shares great vegetarian meal ideas and overall health tips, while sharing her daily mom experience! Check out her Instagram @fuelupwithkatie
2. AJ, a friend of mine who fought breast cancer with 2 young children, while focusing on her fitness and health. What an amazing woman! She and her husband maintain their fitness goals not only for themselves but their kids to. Check out her Instagram for inspiration! @ajbenefield1
3. Here is Jessica, who gets up at 4:30 am to get in her workout. She is a mom and works full time. She posts about her struggle to stick with working out, but she shows up! She even recently posted to remind us all that we don’t need to wait until New Years to jump start better habits. Check out her Instagram @jemcginnis
Grab a pen and paper and write down your family fitness goals, then…
Get started reaching those goals!
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I love sharing fun and useful products for parents! Some links I use are affiliate links including links for Amazon.com. I get paid a small commission, without any additional charge to you if you make purchases from the links. The commissions are used to fund this site in order to bring fun and helpful content to parents! Thank you!