Image © Aldon
#1: Get Moving
The easiest way to get healthy as a family is to simply get moving. Instead of sitting around the television after dinner every night, make that time healthy family time. It doesn’t matter where you live or what the weather is like, there are plenty of ways to get moving as a family both indoors and out. If you live in a climate that is simply too chilly to head outside after dinner, consider making a list of activities that you family can do indoors. Some examples include; yoga, dancing, zumba, jumping rope, or simple circuit training moves such as jumping jacks, sit-ups, running in place, and push-ups. If you live in a climate that is warmer, your options are much easier – take a family walk, run, jog, bicycle ride or play a game of tag.
Image © sleepyneko
#2: Get Organized
It can be overwhelming to come home from a long day at work and then try to figure out what to make for dinner. This can easily turn into making bad choices for family meals. Don’t fall into the fast food, out-of-the-box dinner. Instead, get organized and plan your menu ahead of time. Start by stocking your pantry and refrigerator full of whole foods and staples. Then, create a weekly menu based on those ingredients. It is a good idea to cook ahead of time and freeze meals for the during the week, this can be done on your day off or the weekend. Another option is to split the cooking duty with your spouse or older children, this takes the cooking pressure off of one individual in the family.
Image © Ken Roberts Photography
#3: Remove the Temptations
If your family is full of snackers, remove all of the temptation foods that are unhealthy and replace them with healthy alternatives. There are plenty of fantastic healthy snacking options available for your family. Set up a snack bar inside of your refrigerator that holds carrot, celery and cheese sticks, grapes, orange wedges, yogurt, hummus and any other snacking items that your family will enjoy. Put the snack bar at eye level so it is the first thing that your little ones see when they open the door. If you make healthy foods as simple and convenient as traditional snacks, your children will gravitate toward them.
Image © extranoise
#4: Take the Stairs
If your grocery store is nearby, why not ride your bicycles instead of taking the car? When you need to run errands that are further away, park as far away from the front door as possible and walk the rest of the distance. When you are in a building with an elevator, take the stairs. The more time that you spend walking, biking or simply moving, the healthier your family will become in the long run.
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