The Family that Exercises Together

I am the only one in our family who does not exercise. My husband has been a surfer all his life (since he was 12 years old), my daughter is an athlete in school and she loves sports, my three year old son spends most of his day running and playing soccer while I sit in the studio and wait for the shoot to start and end or I’m in front of the computer, blogging. The only exercise I get is when I shop for clothes for my shoots or whenever I dance in the clubs. I know, not counted.

My sedentary life has caught up with me. I feel heavy and I’ve gained weight over the holidays. Sigh. I know that I can’t rely solely on dieting anymore. I need fitness in my life to live a healthier and hopefully longer life… And to be thin too. Don’t judge me.

I’ve been good with my New Year’s Resolution — I’ve made an effort to lighten up my work load this year so that I have time to exercise. I’ve gone back to boxing, running and I even took a Stretch & Flex class but, I sucked in all my workouts. Haaay! I’m so out of shape! The last time I exercised was three years ago, before I found out I was pregnant with Dylan. I do know that if I keep on exercising, I’ll do better.

It’s not easy to change habits but I’m lucky that I have the most supportive family. Recently, my daughter has been going with me to some of my classes for moral support. I’m the luckiest mom.

Saturday at the park

We had nice weather last Saturday. It was a bit cool and overcast. It was a perfect day to go to the park and exercise.

It’s a sign! “Make it happen”

My daughter Aryanna is the athlete in the family. She’s a varsity player in school and she’s always been involved in sports.

She was my trainer for the day. How lucky am I?

She taught me how to warm up properly.

We did some stretches…

Lunges and constantly moving while doing each movement.

I played varsity volleyball player in high school. So is Aryanna. After we did a bit of jogging, we played volleyball. It was fun!

Grabe ka naman, Aryanna! Dahan-dahan lang! Mahina pa kalaban!

“Good job, mom!”

Time to reward our efforts!

My daughter can afford to eat sweets. I only had two bites. The Salted Caramel Frozen Yogurt was the bomb! Shet.

Shogod! Haha!

Be a healthy role model

I read this on the net. It inspired me to get active not just for myself but for my children:

According to Dr. Ron Eaker, M.D. OB-GYN, author of Fat-Proof Your Family, says that, “exercising with children reprograms kids to understand what is normal and what is not. Kids today believe that a sedentary lifestyle is normal. Studies show that most kids spend an average of 6 hours after school doing sedentary things like TV, computers, and video games. The have a skewed perception of ‘normal.’

But exercising with them ingrains a new standard of what is normal,” Dr. Eaker continues. “It establishes an environment of exercise by teaching them ‘this is what adults do.’ Exercising together gives them a sense of ownership and participation in adult activities.

Specifically, the mother is the primary influencer of the family’s health—far and above any other factor,” says Dr. Eaker. “She’s often responsible for the food brought into the family and the preparation of the meals, but sociological studies also indicate that the exercise pattern is set by the mother. She becomes the role model for both male and female children.

Parents sign up their kids for programs,” adds Joann Donnelly, “but they don’t always make the connection that what they model, through their actions and their attitudes about exercise, impacts their children more than anything else.

Not exercising sends a message to kids that it’s not important. But when parents and kids are active together, it gives them a common sense of purpose and a goal,” continues Donnelly. “Exercise benefits both of them in mind, body, and spirit.

Research shows that children who exercise do better in school, control themselves better, and have fewer behavior issues,” Donnelly says. “If parents and teachers could recognize the difference it would make in their kids, they’d have kids exercising constantly!”

Perhaps most importantly, exercising together brings families together. It gives parents and children the opportunity to have meaningful conversations and to really get to know one another. Often, parents find that devoting time to exercising with their kids prompts natural discussions about personal discipline and how it relates to faith.

The best way to give our sedentary culture a makeover is by starting within the family—by exercising together.”

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