Spring Into Action
Let’s face it; getting the family all together to share regular meals or activities isn’t as easy as it used to be. Balancing hectic work schedules, after school activities and other social engagements with quality family time has become a job unto itself. We at Together Counts understand and have been helping families across the country solve these dilemmas by providing resources to get families enjoying more meals together and moving more often.
At the core of Together Counts’ message is the concept of moderation and energy balance – balancing the calories you consume with the calories you burn through physical activity. Calories in, calories out – it’s that simple! Thousands of families and schools from across the country have already put the program into practice in their communities with great results. Check out our updated website to learn more about how you can get involved with our movement.
Below are a few ideas to help get families on the road to energy balance this spring.
- Skip the Gym: There are plenty of at home activities to get your family up and moving. Go for evening walks, weekend bike rides, play outdoor hide and seek or toss a ball. You don’t need bulky equipment or expensive gym memberships to get active with the family and have fun doing it.
- Pick Your Meal: For some, scheduling a family dinner can be as difficult as moving a mountain (and far less scenic). If so, try making breakfast the family mealtime before the busy day begins. Studies show kids who eat breakfast perform better in school, and you’ll enjoy the fresh start to the day.
- Encourage Green Thumbs: One of the most fun family activities to do outdoors is planting a flourishing spring garden. Grab your sun hats and get the little ones to grow herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers or whatever they like. Give each plant a name and schedule regular watering times to help teach them responsibility. You’ll also be surprised at the amount of calories you’ll burn bending, squatting and moving to perfect your creation.
- Find Local Freebies: You don’t need to spend an entire paycheck to get the family active together. There are plenty of local activities and events that are both fun and cost effective.
- Set Weekly Challenges: Make getting active fun by creating family fitness challenges you can do together. Strap on pedometers and see who can take the most steps in a week or see who can do the most jumping jacks in a minute. The kids will enjoy the competition and fun challenges.
What activities help you and your families achieve energy balance this spring? Share in the comments below!
Brian Azzarello wrote this post for Together Counts on behalf of Edelman Digital.