Getting Kids Physically Fit Can Be Fun For Dads Too!

February 3, 2012

A recent report titled The Reason For Recess from TIME magazine focused in part on First Lady Michelle Obama’s fitness campaign Let’s Move! and stated the well-known but often undervalued fact that physical activity is great for everyone young and old. The article touched on research from the Netherlands that shows physical activity increases brainpower, and may assist young students in key subjects such as Math and English.

This pairs with earlier research that says adults who work out are more productive in the workplace and take less time off. What supervisor or office manager doesn’t like the sound of that? Parents – and especially dads – who are still promising to go to the gym as a preemptive strike to putting on the pounds should now have incentive.  This is precisely why NFI asks dads to get Fit2Father each year in the Fall – by helping fathers ad families focus on getting physically fit, as well as personally fit in their fathering skills.

Along with the health benefits of exercise and being physically active are the bonding moments dads can share along with their children. A game of catch with your children, arming yourselves with either baseballs or footballs, is always a welcome treat. Perhaps a fun and friendly game of basketball is how dad and his kids can play and get healthy together. Ice-skating, laser tag, and even long walks around the neighborhood parks and hills can be a great alternative to sitting in the house.

The TIME report revealed that, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, students would benefit from one hour of physical activity a day to remain healthy. Only 18 percent of high school kids are meeting that mark according to an older survey and 23 percent didn’t work out at all.

Treating exercise as a family activity could increase the likelihood of fathers, mothers, and their children getting involved. Fathers should also be mindful of suggesting sports, making certain that whatever activities are agreed upon that everyone is safe and happy. Most of all, families can find new and inventive ways to spend more time with one anther with the added benefit of better overall health. You can’t beat that!

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