Exercise for LIFE!
A reader writes about her concern regarding the participation in sports and activities for children. She advocates activities that require endurance, can be enjoyed into adulthood, are easily accessible and prove to have lifelong health benefits.
I think one of the biggest challenges for overweight and out of shape parents, is finding the balance between their health and happiness, and what they think will bring their children health and happiness.
When I was in the fitness business, I would frequently hear about the financial burden a monthly fitness membership would cause a family with a tight budget. Ironically many of these parents were spending hundreds of dollars a month and countless hours on the road getting their children to and from extracurricular sports and activities.
Don’t misunderstand me. I do believe that children need to be exposed to different sports and activities. It is also important for children to find hobbies that will encourage intellectual and physical growth.
However, if you are sacrificing your own health for your two-year-old to attend gymnastics because you are certain you have a natural born Olympian; you may be in denial.
Or if you are spending hours on the road to get your five year old to a travel ball game because he is most certainly going to be the first in a line of NFL athletes, you are probably either disillusioned or are living vicariously through your child.
Either way, you are avoiding and postponing living a healthier and happier life AND denying your child the example.
Certainly I am no expert, but from my experience, no child is ready to be forced to be involved in an activity or sport until they are able to speak in complete sentences. They should at least be able to communicate to you that they agree with the plans you have for them.
In addition, a child should be allowed to grow into a hobby by watching it, reading about it and talking to others about it. I don’t think parents should ever assume that their children are going to be their carbon copy.
Lastly, and because of the childhood obesity issue in our nation, parents should encourage sports that require sustained elevated heart rates. Sports like football and baseball are great, but they don’t typically require endurance.
Unless your child is of the elite minority that makes it to the big time, in my opinion, these team sports don’t require enough physical training that children need.
As parents, it is our responsibility to set the example. Educate, expose and encourage your child to choose an activity or sport that has proven long term health benefits and is something they can enjoy for a lifetime.