Winston Salem Fitness

Modest things that get your family members to move more often will help all of you maintain a healthy weight. Pick a different tip each week for you and your loved ones to try out. See if you are able to improve the list. Here are some: Walk Whenever You Can

• Get off of the bus one stop early, and walk the rest of the way
• Take a 30-minute walk rather than watching TV
• Go up inclines rather than around them
• Make a good Saturday morning walk a household habit
• Park your car farther from the store and walk
• Replace a Weekend drive with a Weekend walk
• Take a family walk after supper
• Take the dog on extended walks
• Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator
• Walk quickly at the mall
• Walk rather than drive the car, whenever you can
• Walk your children to school

Exercise More in your House

• Do yard work. Get your children to help rake, weed, or plant
• Garden, or make home repairs
• Start using a snow shovel rather than a snow blower
• Wash the car by hand
• Work around the house. Ask your children to help with active chores

Live Actively

• Avoid labor-saving devices, such as a remote control or power mixers
• Purchase a pair of hand weights and play a round of Simon Says with your kids – you do it with the weights, they do it without
• Pick activities you enjoy. Ask kids what activities they want to do
• Pick an activity that fits into your daily life
• Dance to music… with your children
• Do sit-ups in front of the TV. Have a sit-up competition with your kids
• Explore new physical activities
• Give yourself a gold star with non-food related rewards, such as a family day at the park, lake, or zoo
• Join an exercise group, and enroll your kids in community sports teams or lessons
• Pace the sidelines at kids’ athletic games
• Play with your kids at least 30 minutes a day
• Swim with your children
• Use an exercise video if the weather is bad