Author Topic: Family Exercise  (Read 985 times)

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Clara Bow

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Family Exercise
« on: January 28, 2007, 05:49:26 PM »
I'm trying to get healthy (I'm sick of looking like some sort of runaway experiment with bloat) and I'm trying to get active. Hubby and son are both skinny and son is bursting with energy. But hubby and I have gotten dangerously close to sedentary.
So we're turning over a new leaf and getting our fannies in gear to exercise and spend time exercising as a family. We went for a long walk today and had a great time. I'm a big girl so there are a few things that I can't really comfortably do yet (in a few months after I've gotten limbered up a bit more maybe) but I like to walk so....
What do you guys do to get the family moving? I need suggestions!
I have finally found the bar I can't get thrown out of....

IndianInlaw

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2007, 06:01:18 PM »
We live near a scenic canal and waterfall (think old mill complex).  We walk there to see the changes in the river.  It's all iced over now and beautiful.

StaciNadia

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2007, 06:15:30 PM »
Our HOA has a community pool, tennis court, and racquetball court, and at my family's old house, we had a pool.  I've always loved the water, and going in the pool (or to the beach) is a fun family activity.  Of course, it's too cold for that now, so sometimes I go play racquetball while the sun's still up, or if Red is joining me, tennis.

kiero

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2007, 06:53:10 PM »
http://www.geocaching.com/

It's a fun kind of 'game' which you can do as a family.  It gives 'going for a walk' purpose.  Check out the 'Getting Started' page on that website.  There is also a forum if you have any questions.  My DH and I used to do this quite a bit before we had a baby.  And it was great.  We could spend an entire afternoon hiking through the woods and not really notice we were getting exercise.  After the intial cost of the GPS (starting around $100) it's basically free. 

Pixie

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2007, 07:03:45 PM »
Swimming is great exercise, as is.... square dancing, or any kind of dancing.   Roller skating, ice skating, even bowling is more active than watching TV or sitting at the computer.  Volley ball and badminton are fun for the whole family. 

Best of luck, and make sure you have FUN!  Don't think of it as exercise, just think of it as fun and family bonding.
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willow2483

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2007, 07:06:55 PM »
Put on some music and get dancing!!  Make up some silly dance moves and show your best stuff.  I always have music on in our house and I dance and sing when cooking and cleaning.

freakyfemme

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2007, 07:43:24 PM »
Are you thinking more indoor activities, or outdoor?  Because, for outdoor (since it's winter now), either cross-country skiing or ice-skating would work well (even downhill skiing would be okay, except there's so much time spent idle on the chairlift, and most chalet food is really fattening and would therefore defeat the purpose).  Tobogganing is another possibility, because walking up the hill is good cardiovascular exercise, and steering the sled tones your butt, thighs, and hamstrings. 

If you're thinking more along the lines of indoor activities, then, well, I know I've said this before, but I think the best thing to do would be to take out a family membership at your local YMCA, and make a point of using it on a regular basis.  There are lots of exercise classes for adults, and running/speed-walking/outdoor cycling clubs in the spring and summer, or if you'd rather just go at your own pace, you can work out in the conditioning room, or run on the track, or swim in the pool, or reserve a court to play squash or racquetball.  If you get stuck or need help, there are usually staff people around that you can ask, or you can book an appointment with a personal trainer.  There are classes for kids too, besides the basic swimming, dance, gymnastics, karate, basketball, and indoor soccer and floor hockey, there are things like inline skating, trampoline, and even yoga, aerobics and group cycling classes that are specifically geared to kids' needs.  They're usually shorter than adult classes are, and the instructors are trained not only in fitness, but in working with kids as well.  Another added perk of this is, the kids' programs are all on a schedule, so it could help you and your husband schedule your exercise each day.  For example, if your son had swimming from five until six, and karate from six until seven every Monday, then that could be your and your husband's exercise time too.  If you have your son signed up for similar activities every day of the week, then it'd be easy to drop him off and go and exercise on your own.

Oh, and if you want, you and your husband could become YMCA volunteers, as could your son, once he turns twelve and completes the Leader Corps program like I did.....which reminds me, YMCA memberships could also be a great opportunity for your whole family to get certified in first aid and CPR, which isn't really exercise, but it's a good thing to have, and it's yet another thing that you could do together.

JoyinVirginia

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2007, 08:05:28 PM »
We ride bikes together, walk together, and sometimes go to the pool at the YMCA as a family.
Joy in Virginia

dawbs

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2007, 08:55:31 PM »
my family used tohave organized baseball games on certain week nights...
all neighborhood kids and some of the parents would show up.  (and everyone played hard and fair...because it was our yard and my dad would kick out anyone who didn't play fair or who tried to stop a "bad" player from participating)

Depending on the age of the kids, it's amazing how many "silly" things work.  SOmewhere, in my parent's basement are "get in shape girl" and "aerobics w/ strawberry-shortcake" tapes...
My mom would do these w/ us, because w/ a little adaptation they worked for her too.

zoidberg

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Re: Family Exercise
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2007, 12:40:02 PM »
My boyfriend and I are both students and have turned into complete couch potatoes as a result. What really helped us get exercise in the winter when running isn't an (attractive) option was buying a WII (spelling?) console. It's fun, it's easy and I've already lost some of the Christmas-related surplus pounds  ;)