Cold Weather Workouts

from Shine Newsletter, Winter 2006

Don’t let your kids be left out in the cold when it comes to exercise this season.

When it’s too cold to play outside, your kids may need to get active inside the house both for their health and to beat boredom.

“Exercise is important year-round, no matter what the weather is like,” says Marilyn Day, MS, RD, co-director of the obesity prevention program and coordinator of the SHAPEDOWN® Clinic at The Children’s Hospital.

“Experts recommend kids get 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily to keep their hearts strong and muscles toned and to promote overall good health.”

Exercising indoors can be mundane, so Day recommends making it more exciting. Try some of these activities to spice up your kids’ indoor endeavors.

  • Be a dancing machine. Put on your favorite CDs and have a dance contest. Teach your kids the dances you enjoyed when you were that age and they can teach you theirs for a great afternoon of family fun.
  • Create your own circus. While most circuses don’t feature hulahoops or jump rope, your indoor circus can! Add some juggling and tight-rope walking on a tape line across the floor for extra excitement.
  • Start a collection of fun, kidfriendly videos such as yoga, Pilates, Tae Bo, hip-hop or salsa. Rent or check them out at the library to find ones your family likes best.

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