“My mom’s a workout freak.” That is how my youngest daughter describes me. I know it was said with humor, love and yes a bit of pride. There is a grain of truth to the statement for sure. Exercising is the most significant pledge I make to myself and I want my children to feel the way I do about the importance of making fitness a lifetime commitment.
I have never forced my passion for exercise on my two daughters, instead I believe as they observe my commitment to daily training it has subtly pervaded their daily life. My oldest daughter stated it most brilliantly, just before she slipped out the door on the way to the gym, “Our parents are our best role models, not the people we see on TV or famous athletes.” I believe she is right. I want to do everything in my power to inspire my teens to exercise, not only because it’s important for their physical well being but because it’s important for their mental health too. It has been proven adolescents who exercise tend to have a lot more going for them than teens who don’t engage in physical activity.
Researchers have found that teens who make exercise a habit are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking or sex at an early age. Instead, they are more likely to have positive traits such as better self-esteem, higher grades and they sleep better.
Here are 10 proven benefits for teens who participate in some kind of physical activity five or more times a week.
1. They are less likely to have sex, including sex without birth control.
2. They are less likely to smoke cigarettes.
3. They are less likely to get drunk frequently or drive while drunk.
4. They are less likely to use illegal drugs other than marijuana.
5. They are less likely to be absent from school.
6. They are more likely to wear a seatbelt.
7. They are more likely to have better self-esteem.
8. They are more likely to get ‘A’ grades in math and science.
9. They are more likely to sleep at least eight hours per night.
10. They are more likely to do housework and have summer jobs outside the home.
The type of physical activity your kids get involved in is not as important as simply moving their bodies and cranking up their heart rate. The American Heart Association suggests that teens raise their heart rates for 20 minutes without stopping, three or more times a week. Physical fitness outside of a school program should be fun, inspirational and something your teens look forward to participating in. It should not feel like a PE class.
Let your kids know that a little muscle soreness is normal, especially in the first few weeks of a fitness program. Make sure their daily program includes stretching and warm up. And remember that out-of-shape kids should start out slowly, since they are more prone to serious injury if they do too much too soon.
If you do your part to keep yourself in shape and exercise regularly you will inspire your teens to do the same. The bonus for you, as a parent, and for your kids are all the added positive behavioral bene’s that come with their commitment to fitness.
Thanks for the informative post!