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How to Motivate Yourself and Your Family to Get Outside and Play
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Kids ages 6 to 17 need about an hour of moderate activity per day to stay in shape. Here are some ways to keep your child (and yourself) active.
1. Praise. Encourage positive behavior. Physical exercise is a reward, not a punishment or a chore. Set a good example by running, walking, biking, or gardening, then ask your kids to join you. Being a role model is the best way to strike the right tone.
2. Limit. Simply turn off the television. The kids will complain for about 12 seconds and then find something else to do. But don't let them go right to the computer or telephone; limit the amount of screen time they get with their devices every day. And if they play video games, make sure they're ones that require movement to control what's on screen.
3. Disguise. Instead of game night with cards or a board game, go outside and play a family game of tag or hide and seek. Promote an activity, not exercise. Introducing sprint drills sounds like work, but if you invent a fun game they'll jump at the chance to run around.
4. Tailor. Every child is different. If your boy is a bookworm, walk him to the library and then to a park bench to read. If your girl likes bugs, go on a hike and collect different types from different environments. It's easy; just notice what your kid is into and then work backward.
5. Bribe. Kids are smart. Sometimes they know exactly what you're doing and won't budge until there's something on the table that's worth their while. It's the same thing at your work, probably; you're not going to work late unless there's some incentive to. Find out what they really want and make them work for it.
6. Create. Good exercise habits will stay with them for a lifetime. Make it fun now and they'll never dread going to the gym after work.
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