How to Break Free from Bad Habits as a Family

Millions of people are raving about the easy ways to become fit and healthy in the blink of an eye.  It seems that this task can be a bit challenging – especially if we’re talking about entire families. If you think that this task is an impossible mission, you have to learn how to change your perspective. Make sure to stay with us because we’re here to help you out. Here are three fantastic ways to break free from bad habits as a family. So check them out and get down to business!

First of all, be a good role model

Did you know that a lot of parents expect their children to eat healthy foods and be physically active even though they themselves eat junk foods only and spend a lot of time in front of a TV? This is a really sad and devastating truth. Be sure to do everything you can to change your habits and be a good role model for your kids. A lot of experts claim that practice makes it perfect, so focus on your own activity instead. By promoting healthy lifestyle habits your kids will be glad to embrace them, too. First of all, start with the obvious – keep the phone out of your hands as much as possible.

You should also stay away from your car and walk the kids to school.  It is a fantastic way to teach them about the importance of physical activity. Eating healthy foods such as fresh fruits and veggies instead of pizza, cheeseburgers, and other junk foods is a must.  Drinking a lot of water on a daily basis should be added to this list as well. Take one step at a time and become a good role model for your little ones!

Enjoy the outdoors as often as you can

Spending time outdoors is undoubtedly one of the best ways to break free from bad habits as a family. Take this decision seriously and start planning right away! For example, you can start with a 45-minute walk around your neighbourhood every evening.  This will be a fantastic way to stay fit – even if you haven’t been physically active for a long time. You can also visit local parks or enjoy a stroll along the beach, depending on the area you live in.

Of course, we must mention that a day spent outdoors doesn’t have to cost a fortune. All you have to do is to bring a few water bottles and some healthy homemade snacks. You kids will ask for some healthy treats along the way. Cycling is another extremely beneficial activity you should also take into consideration, so hop on your bikes and don’t forget to get kids bike helmets for your little ones. Knee and elbow pads are more than welcome, too, especially if you opt to go for rougher terrains such as hills or woods. Apart from hiking and cycling, swimming is another amazing activity you can enjoy with your family. Try all these activities and pick the one your kids enjoy the most.

Introduce a variety

When we say this, we mean that you need to introduce variety in all aspects of life – starting with the physical activity. The fact is that children aren’t always aware of the numerous physical activities which are available close to their home. Make sure to let them know about their options. First of all, you should encourage your kids to check out school teams, both recreational and competitive.  They should explore the club teams, local sports organizations, and even recreational teams through community centres. If you have a daughter, find out whether she prefers to play in a female-only team or in a mixed one.

However, if your children simply aren’t made for team sports, which is an option you should take into consideration, look for opportunities within your community you can take part in as a family. You should visit community centers, arenas, pools, courts, parks, climbing gyms, and many more, in order to find the right one for your family. Besides these, there are also dancing classes, kickboxing, martial arts, and other similar activities which are perfect examples of individual sports.

As for variety when it comes to food choices, you should definitely stay away from processed foods as much as possible. These are rich in empty calories, artificially added sugars, and other potentially harmful ingredients, so ditch them completely and switch to healthy foods instead. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and other similar foods are exactly what you should go for, so start introducing them gradually and you’ll see a fantastic improvement over time!