Exercise Information

Exercise: How To Keep Your Kids Moovin and Groovin


One out of five American kids is obese and the numbers keep going up. Lack of exercise is one reason for the obesity epidemic and it's a true epidemic that threatens health. In fact, this may be the first generation of kids in history not to outlive their parents because of obesity.

Kids can play outside when the weather is good. What can they do when the weather is bad? Exercise is one way to combat the obesity epidemic and these indoor activities wll keep your kids moovin' and groovin'. Your kids could:

- Walk up and down stairs 10 times in a row.

- Dance to music with their friends.

- Draw a hopscotch box with chalk on the garage floor and play with brothers, sisters, friends, even their parents.

- Walk every aisle in the grocery store.

- Jump rope in the garage.

- Ride a stationery bike if you have one.

- Go for an inside walk at a mall. Your kids should go around twice if they can.

- Do jumping jacks in the basement.

- Become stretching champs. They could touch their toes without bending their knees, bend one leg backwards and hold their foot with their hand, or twist from side to side without moving their feet.

- Play ping pong with the family.

- Ride a scooter or roller blade in an empty garage.

- Take 1,000 steps inside the house and track these steps with a pedometer.

- Exercise in the school gym on weekends. (Get permission first.)

- Walk the indoor skyway system if your city or town has one.

These are just a few ideas. If you brainstorm with your kids you'll probably come up with more. Your kids might want to start a Moovin' and Groovin' Club. Now that would be cool.

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson. To learn more about her work go to www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 26 years. Her recent work focuses on health and she is a member of the Association of Healh Care Journalists. She has written two health books for kids in grades 3-5, Food Label Detective and Catching the Exercise Thief. Both activity books were published by Minnesota Medical Association Alliance. A member of Mayo Clinic's Action on Obesity Task Force, Hodgson has presented at two obesity summits and continues to write health resources for kids. Her 24th book, Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief, co-authored with Lois Krahn, MD, is available on amazon.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Vanessa Hudgens's 'Intense' New Exercise Partners: Navy Seals
People Magazine
While preparing for an upcoming film role, Vanessa Hudgens recently adopted several unorthodox exercise partners – partners who had her in ...

and more »


Stop working on excuses, start on exercises
Pocono Record
As with diet, it is important to find exercises that fit your lifestyle and surroundings. It may be that you will have to try different activities until you ...
Want to lose weight? Some things to know about calories and exerciseSan Jose Mercury News
Which is more important for weight loss, exercise or diet?Gather.com

all 7 news articles »


Church feared heart attack over Henson's exercise plan
New Magazine
Welsh singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH regrets roping in her rugby star beau GAVIN HENSON to help her lose weight - his punishing exercise regime left her fearing a ...

and more »


US Army undertakes free health screening exercise in Tema
Joy Online
About 3500 people, including children took advantage of the first day of the exercise. Most of them checked their blood pressure levels, weight, ...

and more »


Navy to hold security exercise
Honolulu Advertiser
AP An annual security training exercise is set for next week at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua'i. ...
Security training exercise set for next weekHillsboro Argus - OregonLive.com
Navy commands in Hawaii to conduct anti-terror exercise next weekHonolulu Advertiser

all 14 news articles »


The San Francisco Appeal

SF motorcycle cops collide during training exercise
San Jose Mercury News
SAN FRANCISCO — Two San Francisco Police Department motorcycle officers who were hospitalized after crashing during a training exercise this afternoon are ...
Two SF motorcycle officers hurt in crashSan Francisco Chronicle

all 16 news articles »


Exercise helps decrease arthritis pain
Victoria Advocate
Anyone who suffers with the pain and swelling of arthritis knows that the last thing that you want to do is exercise. ...



Times Online

Army drops bayonets, busts abs in training revamp
The Associated Press
The exercises are part of the first major overhaul in Army basic fitness training since men and women began training together in 1980, he said. ...
US Army overhauls fitness training for 'weak generation'Telegraph.co.uk
Army Changes Basic Training RegimenGo Blue Ridge (blog)

all 474 news articles »


Crisis Response Part Of Exercise
Hillsboro Reporter
The Hillsboro Independent School District's Jane Lane campus will be the site of a crisis-event exercise. It will test the responses of law enforcement, ...



How to stay motivated on diet, exercise
York News-Times
When you need a break, allow yourself to take a day or two off from your new healthier eating plan or exercise program. It's okay. ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006