Welcome to the category of my blog simply called ‘Healthy Tips.’ Many times, when I write articles for various publications, I need to find sources for the story as seen in Yahoo Shine (click here) or PBS (click here) about staying healthy. I was looking for experts and non-experts to chime in and give their favorite ‘tips’ to help kids and adults lead a healthy lifestyle.
The feedback for various stories was amazing. The sources had some fantastic points of view that could not be ignored, and I thought their opinions should be viewed on the Your Health Journal web site.
So, enjoy my new series, with some ‘great’ insight from some ‘great’ people giving exceptional and educational points of view.
The importance of families exercising together
“Physical fitness sets the stage for harmony in all aspects of living, and family fitness practiced together results in well-balanced, successful living. Each family member has different strengths and talents with regards to fitness activities. There is a natural synergy that exists among family members who exercise together. This not only strengthens the family bond, but propels them as a unit to heightened living.”
Suggestions / creative ideas to get families to exercise together
“Exercise can be simple, short and fun! Ride your bikes together, play ball outside, swim (if the weather permits) or even just enjoy a game of Wii sports (or other video gaming system that promotes getting up and moving). If you are blessed with snow, ski, tube or snowboard together. Motivate and encourage each other and provide positive reinforcement to your “team.” Start an activity jar that contains the names of your family’s favorite activities. Pick from that jar at least once a week, and the whole family gets a surprise activity! Combine your fitness activities with healthy family-style cookouts for even more fun and great memories. Create a family team with personalized T-shirts and play against another family. Your children will be having too much fun to realize that you are teaching them valuable lessons for leading a successful, energized life.”
Reasons why families are not exercising together as much in our modern day era
“With the advent of technology and our culture of convenience, some people and families are more likely to take the path of least resistance: do nothing. Exercise should never be thought of as a chor; very simple activities such as taking a neighborhood walk or riding your bike instead of driving is heart healthy and improves your fitness factor. To avoid becoming complacent, do a weekly review of your family’s physical activities. If 75% of your week is spent sedentarily, your family is on the road to obesity, diabetes, stroke and possibly early death. Your family’s life is in your hands; make a change and save their lives.”
– Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She has special interest in Diabetes, Hypertension, Weight Loss and Women’s Health. Her book, Harmony of the Spheres, advises readers on how to achieve harmony and balance of the work, family, and community spheres in life, from the point of view of a working and involved mother. She runs the websites BusyMomMD, an informative site for modern, educated women juggling career, family and community life, and HouseCallsMD, providing a portal to better healthcare.