Family Fitness Fun

Debi Pillarella M.Ed.

Debi Pillarella, M.Ed., C.P.T. is the Exercise Program Manager at The Community Hospital Fitness Pointe. She is an A.C.E. certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Professional, and Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist.

Debi serves as the National Youth Fitness Spokesperson for A.C.E. She lives in Munster with her husband, Jim and two children Joe (age 12) and Luke (age 10). For more information on Fitness Pointe's Youth Fitness Programs, call (219) 924-5348.

Special Thanks to the following:

Tracy Oedzes -- Certified Personal Trainer and Mom

Kyle and Abby Oedzes

Lena and Blake Newton

Joe and Luke Pillarella

Kids are not "miniature" adults, so traditional exercise programming recommendations don't fare well. If you ask kids about participating in a traditional "exercise" class (i.e. aerobics, calisthenics, etc) most will tell you it's boring and they don't want to join. However, if we transform "exercise" into fitness "play" and focus on having fun while being active, we're sure to have them coming back, asking for more. As far as us parents, not many of us can spend as much time working out as we should, so what better way to shape up, burn calories and bond with our children than to make fitness a family affair.

Disclaimer:

This program provides general family fitness recommendations for apparently "healthy" children and their families. Check with your physician for specific recommendations regarding your participation in the suggested activities.

Modify activities as needed. Do NOT work through pain or discomfort. Begin each session with the warm "up" then add each week's activity to provide variety and fun. Start with 10-15 minutes of fitness play and work up to 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. Finish up each session by cooling down, re-hydrating, stretching, and talking with your kids about being healthy and fit. Kids are natural movers who LOVE start/stop activities as opposed to sustained ones (i.e. running for 45 minutes non-stop). So, give 'em frequent breaks, keep 'em hydrated with water, and let them have fun!

WEEK 6 n Family Stretch

At the end of a hot day or when you just want the kids to settle down, add family stretching to your daily routine. Family stretching not only provides relaxation and flexibility benefits, but is also a great time to bond.

Photo #2 - Butterflies

Sit in a semi-circle with everyone holding the soles of the feet together, knees bent and open. Take a slow deep breath. As you exhale, bring your knees together. Inhale and open the knees. Continue closing and opening the legs, imagining they are the wings of a butterfly soaring in the sky.