Children and Exercise

For the last few step classes at the health club I have had several new members.  Two of them are mother and daughter.  The daughter is an adorable young girl maybe 10 or 11.  For her first class, she sets up a step with risers and as class progresses she  rarely misses a step.  As I was sharing this with a friend, she reminded me that children quite often don't approach something new like we adults. Children, especially if they live in a positive environment, have little reason to think they can't do something.  They don't approach a step class with the attitude that they need to get in the back in case they miss a step and look like a fool.  The American Heart Association says that children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity everyday.  It's not covered in most schools. Many children are enrolled in after-school activities so they get exercise in gymnastics or golf or tennis. Many are not.  I know it is costly and time-consuming.  Children need some scheduled time for exercise and hopefully it will feel like fun. Childhood obesity is on the rise.  Childhood type 2 diabetes is on the rise.  If you have children in your life, encourage them to exercise. Do it with them. My new members, mother and daughter, are certainly on the right track.