Keeping the Family Active for a Healthier Lifestyle

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There really is no excuse for allowing our children to become inactive. We are constantly being told about the importance of exercise in supporting the long-term health of our children. Life can get in the way for lots of us and it’s very easy to fall into bad habits when the weather seems uninviting for outdoor activity, or you’ve had a long day at the office.

Every parent wants their child to be healthy and happy and it’s all about making use of the time you have and sticking to small changes that will make a difference to children’s long-term health and well-being. It’s important to get back to the basics of what children need: healthy food, the opportunity to be physically active regularly and good sleep.

Parents need to be aware that their own behaviour has a huge influence on their children. I think we forget how important it is to be a positive role model for our children.  Remember “what children see, children do”. They are much more likely to accept a change if it is being done as a family. After a busy day at school and work, a 30-minute break from screens can be a great opportunity to get in some quality family time along with some exercise.

Trying to make any change can be extremely difficult – taking control can be daunting. The key is making and maintaining changes, and not giving up when you miss a day or two. Something will inevitably happen which means you can’t get out for that 30 minute walk or jog. These things happen but exercise and being active isn’t all or nothing.

The upcoming Irish Life Health Festival of Running has been specifically designed to encourage and support people to stay active. There is no pressure to compete as such, or even to run continuously, it is all very much high fives family fun. It’s a great starting point to showing how the whole family can be active together while having fun.

The Festival will include a 3k family fun run and is a great goal for any family looking to started. There is also a free couch to 3k training plan available which is aimed at those who haven’t run before. By following this plan, you’ll be ready to join myself, Marian and all the family at the Irish Life Health Festival of Running on July 28th. Parents are free to run with the children, but they don’t have to. You’ll find that once kids start the race that they’ll want to keep going, and that’s exactly what we as parents need to encourage them to do.

 

Find out about the Irish Life Health Couch to 3K programme here: www.irishlifehealth.ie/athletics-ireland

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