Four Fitness Tips for the Fourth

Get Fired Up on the 4th 

I hope that most everyone has the day off today. The holiday is both a day of celebration as well as reflection on the freedoms we've gained becoming a nation over 200 years ago.

TIPS

1, Be active today - hit the pool, workout, go for a walk, or do a fun run.
2, Reach out and spend time with friends or family
3. Make the menu healthy
4. Eliminate or moderate the alcohol

Fit Family Summer

Just add water for a fit family summer

Today is the summer solstice marking the official beginning of summer. We get kids out of school for the next 1 1/2  -2 months.

What will you and your family do this summer?

Any season is the right season for family time, but summer is an especially good season for family togetherness and fun. Summer is also a good time to ramp up fitness for you and the rest of the family.

A summer vacation doesn't have to be all about lounging around the pool or being lazy. A vacation can be a great time to be active and work on your own fitness. Also, a vacation is a perfect opportunity to spark a child's interest in the outdoors and an active life.

In these days of a tighter economy, a vacation may not be possible for everyone. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to spend active time together as a family whether or not on vacation. There are many options close to home and on a budget that are available during the summer.

Swimming pools are the perfect place to play and be active. Spending time with your family at the pool has so many potential pay-offs. Water safety is a very important reality of children and families. Make this summer about helping your child learn to swim or boosting swimming skills. You may discover your child is the next Michael Phelps.

The pool is a great place for games like water polo or marco polo. A hour or so of an active water game boosts everyone's metabolism.

Summer is a great time for hiking as well. A hike is a great time to enjoy nature and spend time together. A brisk several mile hike - especially on more difficult terrain - is another inexpensive option.

Backyard games like volleyball or badminton combined with a dash of healthy food is another quick, inexpensive idea.

Creativity and motivation are really all that's necessary to make this a fun family summer.

ENJOY THE SEASON!

Be a Weekend Warrior Parent

We're now in week 5 of the six weeks until summer countdown 

The goal for this week is to step up the exercise. Stepping up the level of exercise can mean a different things to different people. It could mean exercising more frequently or exercising with greater intensity or maybe both.

I want to point out an often discounted idea that exercise can be fun. The fun angle is especially important when it is family exercise. It is very important to me as a father of a young child to be a role model for an active life. Childhood obesity as well as adult obesity continues to rise, and a sedentary life is the path of least resistance for many.

Exercise doesn't have to always involve a gym or a group of adults. Exercise can be a brisk family walk, a game of backyard tag, or any other active fun family game.

Keep yourself and your family in the exercise game.