Diet and exercise are a key combination to preventing obesity in children and adults. My last post mentioned some options for providing children with a healthy diet. So now lets explore the other half—physical activity.
Physical activity is essential to staying in shape. It burns calories and builds muscle. There are also many other benefits to kids participating in physical activity besides the fact that it controls weight. Some of these benefits are:
- Strengthens the heart
- Helps keep arteries and veins clear
- Strengthens the lungs
- Reduces blood sugar levels
- Strengthens bones
- Helps prevent cancer
- Regulates blood pressure
- Improves energy levels
- Enhances emotional well-being
Clearly, it’s a good idea to get your kids into a regular exercise activity. So what are some ways to get your kids to willingly exercise?
One option is the Cosmic Kids Yoga exercises. Cosmic Kids Yoga is run by a lady named Jaime who lives right outside of London. She went to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School which explains the enthusiasm and theatrical nature of her videos. She teaches yoga to adults as well as kids and has been making the Cosmic Kids videos since May of 2012.
Jaime’s videos will take kids on an adventure of yoga poses for that are sure to keep them entertained and interested in doing the exercises.
Her latest video was added two days ago and features her posture of the week, check it out!
Her most popular video has 882,600 views!
You can look at all of her videos here.
To take things in a different direction, here is a core strengthening exercise!
Physical activity is important for children for multiple reasons. Now you have a start so you can get kids into a regular exercise routine!
Extra resources:
Check out Dr. John Ratey’s videos about children and exercise here.
Check out more child exercises on the physical activity board on the KidsGetHealthy Pinterest.
Sources:
Benefits source
http://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/10-benefits-of-physical-activity/
Image source
kidsgethealthy 
The videos by Jamie were really cute! While reading through the benefits of physical exercise, one really stuck out to me. I ran cross country all through high school and continue to run on a daily basis. It is definitely a mood enhancer. If I go a few days without running, I get cranky and depressed. I also find that I can focus on school work so much better after I have exercised. I agree that physical exercise is definitely so important!
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