Get some tips on keeping healthy as a family for the new year.
Cooking with the kids on Sundays. Walking after dinner on Wednesdays. Living room dance parties on Saturday nights. Family fitness experiences can both improve family members’ individual health and strengthen the family as a whole.
The best part of these family fitness bonding moments is that they don’t take much to get started. Here are some tried-and-true tips that could help you get your own family moving toward a healthier 2025:
Take It Outside…
Tell your kids to take a hike — and then go with them! Orange County’s many trails and parks beckon people of various fitness and mobility levels. Add a soccer ball, volleyball or Frisbee into the mix and an afternoon at the park or the beach turns into the kind of heart-healthy moment that builds family memories.
Want to go farther? Orange County’s many bike lanes and paths offer a variety of options for family exploration. And signing up for local charity runs or walks or family sports leagues can add a greater sense of community and purpose to your family fun.
…Or Keep It Inside
You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment to get a real workout at home. Set up simple stations for jumping jacks, push-ups and squats, stretching and yoga that everyone can do, and challenge one another to gradually improve each week.
Or, turn on some music and declare it “dance party” time. Even the most cringe-focused teen can’t resist a great tune and pure, silly fun.
Plan, Shop and Chop
Including kids in grocery shopping, menu-planning and food preparation gives children agency and helps them better understand the relationship between what they eat and their own health — especially if you teach them how to read labels and make healthy choices.
Theme nights and recipe challenges (such as picking an ingredient and challenging everyone to come up with a dish that includes it) brings imagination to the table. And assigning simple tasks, such as washing vegetables or stirring, can help even the youngest family member feel involved.
Make It Easy & Fun
Set aside a spot in the kitchen to be the “snack station,” where kids (and you) can store balanced options. Preparing healthy grab-and-go options like trail mix, sliced fruits or yogurt parfait also goes a long way to helping the whole family make healthier food choices.
The same is true with starting a small vegetable or herb garden, even just on a window ledge. This can help kids learn about where food comes from and encourages them to harvest what they’ve grown.
Lead By Example
Remember that this is a family activity, and that means it’s important to model the behavior you hope your kids adopt.
One simple and effective change you can make is to put down your phone. Mindful eating starts with attention. When you’re watching what you eat — rather than whatever is on your screen — you can focus on the conversation at the table and improve your portion awareness.
As your family creates new memories and adopts healthy habits, work together to set realistic goals, incorporate imagination into the process and celebrate milestones (“Yay! You tried a new vegetable!”). These changes make for a healthier family — and a healthier family dynamic. Stay fit and have fun!
Want more guidance? Bring your family and check out the classes and programs at the YMCA Orange County.
Madison Cardullo is a registered dietician nutritionist with YMCA of Orange County. ymcaoc.org
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