Mind, body & soul
FITNESS for all the family Get the whole family moving with these fun ways to get fit
We’re becoming a nation of couch potatoes. As computer games and box sets make it more tempting to stay on the sofa, obesity is on the rise in adults and kids and fitness levels are suffering.
Helping your family get active is one
of the best things you can do to improve their health. Better still, children who exercise regularly are likely to reap the rewards of their childhood activity for the rest of their lives.
“Studies show that kids who get into
habits of exercise early grow into adults with higher levels of cardio-respiratory fitness,” says Dr Jon Houghton, consultant in rheumatology, sports and exercise medicine at the Sevenoaks Health Centre.
It’s not just your kids who will benefit.
“There’s compelling evidence that adults who improve cardio-respiratory fitness reduce their risk of heart attack by an average of 40%, stroke by 30% and diabetes by up to 50%,says Dr Houghton. “Getting fitter can even reduce risk of death from breast and colorectal cancer.”
The health benefits of boosting fitness are just as high for those of us carrying extra weight. “When it comes to our health, fitness is more important than fatness,” says Dr Houghton. “Studies show that even those who are obese who exercise regularly get similar reductions in major illness and cancer,” he adds.
Dr Jon Houghton No matter what your age, the key to
getting fit is finding an activity you want to keep doing. “The most important thing is that kids enjoy exercise,” says Dr Houghton. “That way they’ll be engaged and want to carry on, so ask them what they want to do and make sure they want to do it,” he advises.
The choices are endless. Be it cycle
rides or rounders, swimming or badminton, exploring exercise options until you hit on an activity that’s right for your family can be fun in itself.
Dr Houghton also recommends
exercising with other people to boost your motivation. “It makes exercising a lot easier psychologically,” he says. “I play football with my son and coach his school team. My wife and the kids take part in Park Run, a 5km running event that takes place in parks across the
Mid Kent Living 39
country every weekend. About 150-200 people run every Sunday at Tonbridge Park and there’s a great atmosphere with lots of kids taking part with their families.”
If you’re new to exercise and worried about your fitness levels, Dr Houghton recommends taking brisk walks to build up stamina. “High impact training and running come with a high risk of injury, especially if you’re not very fit to start with. But 20-30 minutes of brisk walking every day is a great way to increase fitness gradually,” he says. “Aim to get a bit breathless for maximum effect.”
Whether it’s a game of football or
Frisbee, cricket or tennis, getting fit with your family is a great way to spend time together and you’ll all reap the health benefits.
Editorial Supplied by Trish Lesslie
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