The family that exercises together gets healthy together. 

We know of one family that plays a game called Freeze Tag.  They go outside in the fresh air two or three nights a week to play.  The kid who is “it” must run around to catch and touch the other players to make them freeze, until they’re all standing still.  The family made this outdoor game such fun that now the kids beg to play it.  It’s a game that keeps you running, so you get great exercise, but it doesn’t feel like exercise because you’re playing the game as a family.

It’s important to make family activities fun, because you won’t stick with them if they’re not.  Not far from metropolitan Orlando and Walt Disney World is something called the West Orange Trail, a former railroad track that has become a paved exercise path.  It extends about 19 miles on the north side of town.  Eventually the trail will form part of a 200-mile regional trail encircling Orlando, called the Central Florida Loop.  It’s wonderful to drive by the trail and see families on bikes or rollerblades or walking together, having a great time.  In response to the obesity epidemic, many communities around the country are creating similar kinds of trails, parks and outdoors recreation facilities for families and individuals.  Check with your local Parks and Recreation Department to find out what’s available in your area.

For those who like to run, many communities hold 5K and 10K runs, often featuring a special kid’s run of a much shorter length.  When kids see mom or dad training to run in a 5K or 10K, they often want to participate.

By Walt Larimore, MD, and Sherri Flynt, with Steve Halliday

Authors of SuperSized Kids

To purchase SuperSized Kids or any other Healthy 100 Resource, visit FloridaHospitalPublishing.com.