Tag Archives: Family Health and Fitness

4 Ways to Get Fit as a Family

Photo Courtesy: Statepoint

By Statepoint

One of the keys to encouraging children to develop health habits early is to make fitness a priority in the home.

The great news is there are a variety of ways to lead an active lifestyle that are suitable for the whole family, including kids of all ages.

Let these four creative ideas help you turn each day into an opportunity to get fit and have fun as a family. As with any workout, it’s important to have the proper gear, and that starts with footwear. Each exercise is paired with a suggestion of what to consider when it’s time to choose the right shoe.

  1. Visit a playground: Choose your own adventure, taking note of your favorite parks and playgrounds and their features, such as skate parks, swings, slides and climbing walls.

Shoes to try: Vans all have a variety of “updated classic” styles available in men, women and children’s sizing in on-trend colors, such as blush, yellow and white. This ensures that everyone can find a pair that reflects their personalities, while also providing necessary support.

2. Learn a new sport: From tennis to golf to touch football, there are a variety of ways to experience healthy activities as a group.

Shoe to try: The Adidas Lite Racer features a Cloudfoam EVA midsole to guide your foot when enjoying high-impact sports, such as running or tennis.

3. Participate in a charity run: Whether you’re a seasoned runner or have just signed up for your first 5K, many fundraising races are designed to accommodate the whole family. For younger children, search for events that allow baby strollers or that host a separate Fun Run for the kids.

Shoe to try: Nike offers the Flex Experience, which features lightweight synthetic overlays for a great fit and feel in both adult and children’s sizing.

4. Get outdoors: Explore a new hiking trail to make memories and enjoy stunning scenery. Cater to all family members by choosing the length and level of difficulty of the hike.

Shoes to try: Built to go off-roading, ASICS hiking shoes features reversed lugs on the outsole to ensure a dependable grip both uphill and downhill.

New footwear can help each member of the family get motivated to meet fitness goals and try new activities. For a one-stop-shopping experience and shoe trends for families, visit the Athletic Shop at Rack Room Shoes in stores or online at http://www.rackroomshoes.com/athleticshop.

Exercise shouldn’t be a chore. With new gear, a great attitude and a sense of adventure, getting fit as a family will be fun.

Did You Know?

Fun Activities To Foster Children’s Love Of The Outdoors

Courtesy of StatePointCourtesy of StatePoint

Many families spend summer vacation taking advantage of the great outdoors — from picnics to hikes to time at the pool.

Parents are often looking for ways to turn these typical warm weather activities into creative adventures and engaging learning experiences.

Jessica Turner, author of “The Fringe Hours,” and mother of three, is an expert at incorporating the sun, sand and surf into crafting activities. She’s sharing some of her best summer tips to encourage creative play, while keeping kids healthy, happy and safe.

Crafty Ideas

  • Take a hike: There over 6,000 state parks nationwide. Take advantage of one near home. While traversing the terrain, gather leaves, sticks and fallen flowers. Print out an 8×10 inch picture of your child and glue the nature finds around the edges.
  • Picnic imprints: Let little ones run around in search of rocks and sticks. Place the items on top of a piece of construction paper and leave somewhere sunny. Check back in an hour and remove the objects. Kids will be amazed to see the objects’ outlines imprinted on the paper.
  • Seashells by the seashore: Bring along pails and stroll the shore in search of seashells of varying sizes. Once home, break out the glue, paint and googly eyes to create whimsical jewelry, funny fish and even wind chimes.
  • Backyard adventure: All it takes to turn a backyard into a deserted island is a little paint. Grab some rocks, paint them gold and hide them around the yard. Create a treasure map and get into the theme by dressing the kids up in pirate gear. Then head outside to hunt for gold.

Be Prepared

  • Sun protection: Young children can be especially sensitive to sun. Seek shade when possible and wear hats and sunglasses.

Protect babies’ skin from harmful UV rays with a pediatrician-tested sunscreen created with the fewest ingredients possible. For example, Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen is comprised of only five ingredients, including zinc oxide. It provides SPF 30 protection and is water-resistant up to 80 minutes.

  • Basic first aid: Outdoor fun can lead to scrapes and boo boos. Don’t leave home without basic first aid items. Your kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers for splinters and anti-itch relief, in the event of bug bites.
  • Baby care: Babies are prone to a number of skin irritations, particularly in warmer weather. Prevent diaper rash with a gentle hypoallergenic cream, such as Tom’s of Maine Baby Diaper Cream. More information can be found at TomsofMaine.com.
  • Healthy hydration: No matter how much fun the kids are having, never forget the importance of hydration, particularly when they are active. For maximum benefit, stick to water, healthy drinks and fresh fruit. On a similar note, keep kids fueled for outdoor exploration with plenty of nutrition-packed snacks!

This season, foster a love of the great outdoors. To maximize your fun in the sun, be prepared with all the essentials for creative, safe adventures.

Eastvale: Getting Healthy!

On Saturday, October 25th, 2014 be sure to come by the Healthy Eastvale Fair!  The event is 6:30am-11:00am at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School at 7447 Scholar Way in Eastvale.  Activities include health screening, family fitness fun and information from local health and fitness vendors.

healthy-eastvale-fair-2014

Walnut: New Date for Walnut Family Health and Fitness Fair

Walnut –- With last weekend’s heavy rainstorms, the Family Health and Fitness Fair originally scheduled for Saturday, March 1, has been officially rescheduled for Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Walnut Senior Center.

Health IconMost vendors have confirmed their attendance at the new event date, including sponsors Kaiser Permanente and Pomona Valley Medical Center. Attendees will still be able to take advantage of free health screenings, including blood pressure, and bone density; talk to vendors; collect plenty of freebees; and listen to lectures given by health professionals.

“We wanted to provide a successful event, and with the rain forecast last weekend, it would have been difficult for families and seniors to attend,” Council Member Bob Pacheco said.  “Also, we didn’t want the community driving in unsafe conditions during the wet weather.”

The day-long event will provide fun for the whole family as well as opportunities to get informed on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Walnut Senior Center is located at 21215 La Puente Road, in Walnut. For additional information, please call the Walnut Senior Center at (909) 598-6200. For information about the City of Walnut, please visit the website at www.ci.walnut.ca.us.