Beth Tweddle shares her top tips on getting your kids active this half term
THE Olympic gymnast reveals how to steer children away from their computer games and help them become fighting fit this October
Obesity among young children and adolescents is a growing problem in the UK.
Data conducted by Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in May found that 26% of boys and 29% of girls were overweight and obese.
With the October half term holidays coming up there has never been a better time to ensure your kids are up, out and active.
To help inspire you during the break, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle has shared her top 10 tips on how to make fitness fun.
1. Make it easy
Lack of time is the main reason why people aren’t physically active, so make it as easy as possible for your children to get moving.
Find a sports club nearby or ditch the car and start walking or cycling to school to make sure your children are constantly on the move.
2. Start them young
At my gymnastics academies, children can start our Gym Stars programme from two years old.
It may seem young, but they learn the basic fundamental moves of the sport, have fun, make new friends and achieve badges, helping them to enjoy being active.
3. Be inspiring
You don’t have to be an Olympic medalist to be inspiring, as children see their own parents as role models.
Make sure you’re being as active as possible and your children will follow suit.
4. Sign up to a challenge
It’s great to have a goal to get you motivated, so why not sign up to a to a sponsored walk or run that you can work towards?
It will be a great way to bond with your children, too.
5. Use technology
Kids love technology and it can be a really positive thing if it’s used to get them moving.
LeapFrog has recently launched the LeapBand, the first wearable activity tracker for children, aged 4-7, which is designed to encourage active play and healthy habits with their very own personalised virtual pet.
It’s important to keep fitness fun!
6. Join forces
Speak to other parents about how they keep their children active.
Exercising as a group can be a great way to get the children together and it will seem less of a chore if they’re doing something with their friends.
7. Make time
Dedicate a time during the week or at the weekends to do physical activity with your children and make sure they know when it is, so that you can make it a fun thing that they look forward to.
8. Choose an active holiday
I loved going away with my parents and other families as a child and we’d always go somewhere where we could spend time outdoors doing activities.
It’s a great way to have fun with your children and make new friends.
9. Go sightseeing
If you can’t go abroad then there are plenty of great places to see in the UK, even if it’s just climbing up to a local landmark or going for a walk along the river.
10. Find something they enjoy
This is the most important thing of all. I tried lots of sports before finding gymnastics and once I tried it I knew I found something I loved.
It doesn’t even have to be a competitive sport and it could even be dance or drama, or just playing in a team with friends, as long as your children are having fun.
See leapfrog.com.