Check out Molly Wichman IFBB Fitness Pro’s Guest Column in the Lee’s Summit Journal. Always trying to get the community healthy!
Do you want to be a healthy role model for your children? It doesn’t take a fitness fanatic to do this; everyday people can add simple everyday activities into their daily routine to help make an active family. Many of these activities can be done at home, in your neighborhood or at a local park. Here are some get active tips for families:
Walk for 30 minutes instead of watching 30 minutes of TV
Walk the family dog around the neighborhood
Take your bike to the local park
Take a family walk after dinner
Go for a jog or bike ride
Go to the local park to play catch or tag
Find a local walking trail and take a nature walk
Walk or bike instead of driving, whenever you can
Sign up for a local 5k or 1-mile run
Setup a neighborhood sporting event like baseball or soccer
Enroll your children in community sports
The possibilities to being active are endless. Remember, for adults, getting physically active at least five times a week, for thirty minutes or more, will help lead you toward a happier and healthier lifestyle. For kids, being active an hour a day is a small step towards good health.
Introducing an active lifestyle at a young age can help children grow up to be active adults. Just like anything, you have to work at it to make it happen.
Incorporating your family into activities also adds family time into your daily life. Not just hanging out together but being involved and participating in activities together. Once a family incorporates active activities into their daily life they may see some other added benefits. Increased endurance and strength, more energy and weight loss are just a few benefits.
It is easy to get caught up in technology and we sometimes forget to take advantage of the outdoors. The Lee’s Summit community is scattered with many great parks, trails and events to allow families to get out and get active. Take advantage of these opportunities and enjoy them. Not for sure where to go, start with the City of Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Greenway Trail System and Parks List at www.cityofls.net. For more information on the Livable Streets Advisory Board and material and events related to biking and walking visit www.livablestreetsls.com.
Molly Wichman, a Lee’s Summit resident and member of the Livable Streets Advisory Board, a mayor-appointed, volunteer board whose goals include working to make our community and our streets more “livable,” safe and accessible for all of our citizens.
Lee’s Summit Journal Article Link: http://www.lsjournal.com/2014/06/18/117628/is-your-family-ready-to-be-active.html?sp=/99/100/170/219/