Warm weather = Outdoor activities!

Spring has sprung and the weather is getting warmer! That means more opportunities to go play outside in the sun!

Try:

Going for a bike ride together as a family

Play tag

Have a three-legged race

Have a picnic at a park or in your own backyard

Do some gardening – plant flowers or vegetables together you can all watch grow and enjoy

Fly a kite together

You can find dozens more fun ideas at familyfun.go.com. When playing outside though, it’s important to take into consideration issues on safety, allergies, etc.

Enjoy the weather and happy playing!

Easter Done Healthy

Celebrating Easter is such a wonderful occasion. Being together with family, Easter egg hunts, dying eggs, and sharing a delicious meal together. Lots of times though, the foods we enjoy on this holiday aren’t the best for our health. So, here’s some tips on how to keep this holiday fun and healthy!

Put together healthy Easter baskets filled with toys and healthy snacks

Play fun, active games like “capture the egg,” “bunny tag,” etc.

Get out in the fresh air for some Easter relays like “pass the egg” and “duck race”

Prepare a a healthy meal fresh with spring vegetables and other low-fat sides

And just enjoy one another’s company! Happy Easter season!!

April Showers

We all know the adage,  “April showers bring May flowers”… spring is upon us once again and that means it is the rainy season! Just because it’s rainy outside though doesn’t mean we have to veg in front of the T.V. – we can still be active and have buckets of fun inside!

familyfitness.about.com offers some great ideas that are fun for the whole family!

1. A treasure hunt

2. Put on a play/talent show

3. Indoor sports with foam balls

4. Go out to a bowling alley, roller rink, etc.

5. Train/play with pets

6. Make a sand-free sandbox

7. Do a fitness video

8. Go out and play in the rain! Then come back for some warm soup!

9. Make a fort

10. Balloon volleyball

11. Crafts with clay, paint, etc.

12. Games that get you to move – Twister, Wii, etc.

They sound so fun huh? You can have a great time with these even when it’s not raining outside! getkidsinaction.org also has some great information on staying active on a rainy day and some additional activity ideas!! Enjoy the showers!

 

47 ways to a more active family!

Readers Digest provided a list of 47 great ways to get moving with your family.

Some of my favorites were:

• going on a treasure hunt
  dancing during commercial breaks
  play flag football together with table napkins
  have a race where everyone run as a different animal
  “waltzing” with your baby when he or she cries instead of stuffing in a pacifier, etc.

You can find even more great ideas at www.rd.com/family/47-tips-for-a-healthier-more-active-family/

Try these and if you have more great ideas please feel free to post them!!
I love how there are so many ways to be active, have fun, and teach your children from an early age to lead a healthy lifestyle. You don’t necessarily have to be working out at a gym or some other structured exercise. Leading an active life is fun, makes you and your family feel great, and through doing these activities together you grow closer together. It’s a win-win all around!

For more motivation to be active, check out the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digetsive and Kidney Diseases)’s tips. You can learn more about why it is important to be active and how to overcome barriers you may be facing.

So get out, and go have some fun!

Running With Angels

Recently I’ve been reading a book entitled, Finding the Angel Within by Pam Hansen, who discusses the correlation between spirituality, body image, and self-worth. It’s a great book and I recommend it to anyone! Previous to this work, she also wrote a book called Running with Angels. This one was all about her struggles with the health issues of her children and herself and how she was able to overcome those struggles. Readers experience the heart-warming and inspiring journey from Pam’s depth of despair to crossing a marathon finish line. It allows readers to discover how connected the body, mind, and spirit are, and how it is possible to overcome any obstacle. Following the publishing of Running with Angels, Pam also decided to organize a 5k Run/Walk event in which donations may be made to Women’s and Children’s Services Angel Watch at Utah Valley Medical Center, Orem Community Hospital, and American Fork Hospital. The race takes place May 21, 2011 at 8 a.m. at Thanksgiving Point Gardens in Lehi, UT. Through May 7th, registration fees are $20 for adults, and $15 for children 14 and under. After that it’s $30 for everyone. This would be a great activity for the whole family that supports a worthy cause! When you register you can register individually or as a team and set up an account to keep track of donations your receive for the cause. I just registered today and am so excited! You can find out more information and register for the race on the Running With Angels website. To find out more about Pam Hansen’s inspiring and uplifting books, you can read reviews, purchase the books, contact Pam, etc. here.  Definitely worthwhile! Happy reading and running!