2011

Family fitness: Forget about resolutions, find solutions

Family fitness: Forget about resolutions, find solutions
[caption id="attachment_1464" align="alignright" width="302" caption="Our family makes a point about incorporating fitness into our daily lives"][/caption]

In a time-poor world where TV, games and technology dominate, is it realistic to keep the family active, healthy and happy?

Everyone from the local gym to the Kia dealership down the street are advertising "New Year's Resolution" promotions.  Unfortunately resolutions don't work.  What we REALLY need is solutions.  We all have good intentions at the beginning of the year after a period of festive over-indulgence.  After all, the holiday period is a time to reflect on the past year and decide what’s best for ourselves and our family moving into the next year.  But are New Year’s resolutions just something we do for the sake of it?  Do we make them knowing we’ll break them? Or can we use them to make ourselves accountable and ensure that 2011 really is the best year yet for all the family?
A few facts for parents to consider over their mince pies and port:


  • Recent research shows North Americans gain an average of two to five pounds per year from the age of 25.  What's even more scary is that 1.5 to 4 pounds of this gain happens between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

  • Children born in the year 2000 or later are not expected to outlive their parents due to their poor lifestyles

  • Research also suggests that a poor diet in kids is more dangerous than alcohol, drugs, and tobacco combined

  • 26% of Canadian children between two and 17 are considered overweight  (an increase of 300% in 30 years)


Last year, one-quarter of Western Canadians abandoned their New Year’s resolutions within 30 days. Not a great start. Another quarter of us kept on going for another couple of months…then broke them. 63% of British Columbians/73% of Albertans broke their specific fitness related resolutions.  Why?  A lack of motivation (42%) followed by a lack of time (25%), apparently.*

(*Ipsos Reid online poll conducted on behalf of Fitness Town)
Here are a few top tips from to ensure an active, healthy and happy 2011 for all the family:


  • Make time. It’s as simple as that. You have to schedule your activity times otherwise they just won’t happen. Sadly, it’s always easier to not do something than it is to do it.

  • Make it family time. Try and plan some activities that you can do as a family so that, not only do you get fit, you can also enjoy more time interacting together and build stronger relationships.

  • Parents – lead by example. You can’t nag the kids then expect them to do something you’re not willing to do. Show them the benefits of exercise and they’ll soon follow.

  • Start a journal or a blog. Make yourself accountable! When you have others tracking your progress, it’s hard to get out of it. Keeping a fitness and nutrition journal also allows you to analyze your progress at the end of each month. Consider investing in an expert to give you feedback, help you discuss areas for improvement and next steps.

  • You are what you eat. It’s an old one but a good and true one. Cut back on sugar and sodium, eat lots of green, leafy veg, and remember to drink plenty of water. Sticking to a balance of unrefined carbohydrates like whole grain food, fruit and veg never fails.

  • Be realistic, be gradual. What works for one person or family, may not work for the next. You have to decide what is realistic for you and your lifestyle. Set achievable goals, reassess them often and reward yourselves with a small treat when you smash your targets.

  • Enjoy it! Getting fit and active doesn’t have to be a chore. Incorporate it into something you all love or have a passion for. Make it fun, competitive and set incentives. After all, it has been proven that laughter is good for us.

  • Challenge yourself. It takes just 21 days to form a habit. In the grand scheme of life, that’s not long. So why not join hundreds of other Western Canadians and take part in the Family Fitness Challenge?  A new challenge starts on the 1st of every month. For more information, check the following link.

Share by: