Why is it that parents are less likely to exercise?

If you are a parent, you will more than likely think that you know the answer to this.  You are always running around after the children day in day out, so you feel like you are getting enough exercise, but unfortunately you probably are not.  Parents are less likely to exercise because they are so exhausted from running around after the children, the last thing you want to do exercise.

Parents can find that they are so busy looking after the children that they forget to look after themselves, which is not good for your own health and well being. Your health is just as important as your childrens, in fact I would say that it is more important, because if the parent is sick, who is going to look after you?. So it is extremely important to look after yourself.

Exercise to give you energy

There are some things that you can do while you are looking after the children, you need to get exercise to give you energy. When you do get a minute to yourself all you feel like you want to do is have a sit down and just veg out, when really you should go for a walk, because if you exercise you will actually increase your energy levels, which in turn will make you healthier and happier.

- walk to your local park

- When you get to the park, play with your children, hit or kick the ball around, throw a frisbee. Don’t just sit (I know that is all you feel like doing)

- Go swimming at the indoor swimming pool, that way you can swim all year round.

- Take the children for a bike ride as a family

Make some time for yourself

This is much easier when your children have gone to school, but you will still find that your day is full of things that you have to do. But you really have to find at least 30 mins to do something that YOU want to do.

- Go for a walk around the block, just get some fresh air

- Reading is good for you mind, so read a good novel.

- Make your house work fun, put on some music and dance around the house.

A Balanced Diet is important

One of the most important things for parents, is to make sure that we are getting a balanced diet. You really shouldn’t be missing meals because you think that you are too busy.

- Grab a handful of nuts on the run if you really don’t have time.

- Carry a bottle of water with you throughout the day, as keeping hydrated is also very important.

- When making the kids lunch boxes, make one for your self at the same time, that will save you time at lunch time.

- DON’T skip breakfast, it really is the most important meal of the day.

- Sitting down to have dinner with your children, and having a chat about what they have been doing during the day. We do this, even though they are small and can’t really chat, it is still important for them to realise that this is what we do. Sometimes it is difficult with times if the husband doesn’t come home till a bit later.

Spend some quality time with your family

Everyone these days are so busy, they forget what it is like to spend quality time together. Quality time with your family is extremely important, you should make sure that you have at least one or two weekend days a month where you just spend the day together as a family. Not with other family’s or friends, just your family - Mum, Dad and children.

You could just go to the park and have a picnic or go on a road trip, stopping along the way. I know my children love a day in the park with us. They don’t have to compete with any others for the attention, as they will have your full attention all to themselves.

Enjoy your time with your children, as they grow so fast, before you know it they are adults.

How do you get your exercise, how do you include your children?