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Forever Fit or Obese

Date:  Sep 29-2006

           In this age of cultural obesity, with optional P.E., and more stagnant entertainment than ever, it is increasingly up to the parents to teach and instill a love for activity and exercise in their children. We can do this by joining our children in fun activities, enrolling them in team sports, and encouraging skill acquisition in sport lessons. We must begin to teach an active lifestyle while our children are young and formidable.
            Several fun family activities include bike riding, roller blading, basketball, ice skating, and, as summer is approaching, swimming. There are many other great water activities for families, including water skiing, body surfing, attending water parks, and good ‘ol backyard pool barbeques. Southern California is a mecca for water sports, with a pool in many backyards.
            This valley has no shortage of team sports, and most children are enrolled in them at some point in their elementary education.
            There are benefits to many instructed sports, but enrolling in swim lessons not only gives your children a skill that will be used throughout their lives, it is one of the highest calorie burners, after only running/jogging, but without the jarring stress on shins and knees. It’s also way more fun! Although many children can already “swim,” as a child learns the finer points of swimming during lessons, swimming becomes much easier, and s/he is more likely to enjoy it and repeat the activity. Furthermore, it is a lifesaving skill for toddlers and young children, and can be enjoyed for a complete lifetime.

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