How to Instil a Healthy Attitude About Exercise in Your Kids - December 2024

Let’s be honest, some children don’t really care about exercise. Sure, they jump and run around during playtime, but that’s all for fun. Sports days at schools are just another opportunity to see their friends and have a grand old time. Some adults may have an entire different philosophy about being active, and its not always for the right reasons. But these days we know better, especially about what makes exercising a miserable endeavour instead of a positive one. Here are some tips on how instill a healthy attitude about exercise in your kids. How to Instil A Healthy Attitude About Exercise in Your Kids Lead by Example Influencing your kids is sometimes a lot easier than it seems. You just have to be prepared to make the same changes in yourself. If you’re already someone who already works out a lot, then the battle is already half won. But if you don’t, then it’s going to be a lot harder to instil healthy habits in your kids. If you yourself need some motivation to exercise, watch some fitness videos online. Some of them may be specifically catered towards parents and mums. They lead you through some simple home workouts, so you don’t even need a gym membership to start. Watch Your Words If you're a parent who tries to lead an active lifestyle, you may dread exercise. Children mimic their parents, including what you say. So, if you complain about going to the gym or not having time to workout, your kids will be influenced by all that negativity. Thus, instead of always saying “Ughh, I hate working out”, before leaving for the gym say something like “I can’t wait to workout!”. When your kids hear this, they may slowly form a more positive attitude towards exercise. As an added bonus, you’re also subconsciously influencing yourself to enjoy exercise more. Don’t Make It Superficial These days fitness ads catered to grown-ups are for flat bellies and toned muscles. While working out to maintain an attractive physical appearance is not necessarily a terrible excuse, it’s not one that you should encourage in your kids. There will be plenty of opportunities for your child to experience body insecurity in their future; let’s not expedite that trajectory. We all need exercise, it's not just to make us look good on the outside. Having a nice body is just the fortunate consequence of leading a healthy lifestyle. However, you should not body shame your child if they may be a little chubby just to get them to exercise. There are better ways to motivate children to lead an active lifestyle. Find Your Kid’s Forte Much like a hobby, every person has a different inclination when it comes to staying fit. Some prefer, jogging, calisthenics, aerobics, weightlifting, etc. The same is true for little children. So, it’s up to you as a parent to find out what their forte is. Some kids may enjoy trampolines, or riding bicycles, playing basketball or dancing or swimming. If they don’t yet know what physical activity they enjoy, take them out for a spin. Just be sure it’s something you can afford. Some families may not be able to afford dance classes or swimming lessons, but a cheap bicycle may be well within the budget. Take the Competition Out of It Its such a common coming of age movie trope that it’s practically a cliché at this point—parents forcing their kids to enlist in competitive sports to get a college scholarship. While that is a very rare occurrence in Malaysia, some parents do enrol their kids in sports competitions. If your kid is naturally gifted at say, swimming or gymnastics, or anything at all, don’t ruin it by asking them to compete. Sports is part of our society, but there is so many toxic undertones to the industry. Drugs, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, you name it. A young child shouldn’t be put through that. Don’t Use Physical Activity as a Punitive Measure A good way to make your kids absolutely hate exercise is to use it as a punishment. If you want your kids to have a positive mindset about staying active, don’t use physical activity as a weapon. Exercise is meant to be enjoyed, not dreaded. While it may seem like such a rare occurrence among Malaysian family, it has been known to happen. If you have ever done this or were planning to, hold your horses. Try some science-approved methods of discipline in order to build a well-adjusted child who won’t resent exercising (or his parents). Fostering A Healthy Mindset Many adults struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and this may point to a lack of parental intervention. We dread the very idea of working out and it has led to an obesity epidemic in the country. Which is why it has become all the more important to make sure that our successors are able to tip the scales. With the right parenting techniques, you may be well on your way to building a fitter, healthier future for the generations to come. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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