Getting obese children to lose weight can be tough – children more easily lose interest with the fat-burning activities that adults typically have the self-control and focus to do on a regular basis. Treadmills, weight machines, and other types of exercise equipment are simply too repetitive to keep the interest of kids and teens these days.
Movies and video games are so fast-paced nowadays that any successful plan for getting your kid to exercise has to bring in the element of fun; there has to be a purpose for the physical activity, some objective in all the huffing and sweating besides just doing something that is healthy. Most parents simply aren’t able to keep up with their kids’ youthful, energetic cravings for stimulating activity. A weight loss camp for kids is a great solution for parents who feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of providing their kids with entertaining exercise opportunities.
There is, after all, only so much a parent can do. Most adults consider themselves lucky if they have time to go for a walk a few times a week. Getting your children to go on such walks with you is a great start to getting them excited about exercise, but most children crave more – things like walking through the woods and identifying wildlife – and while most parents can do these things occasionally, it is nearly impossible to keep up with a child’s curiosity.
How often are you able to take your kids swimming? This activity is great exercise, and, even if you are able to go with your kids once a week, they could always benefit from the opportunity to swim more often.
There are other ways you can get your child to engage in calorie-burning activities too. Think of ways to turn tasks around the house into goal-oriented exercise, assigning chores or paying for help around the house with things like walking the dog.
Any kind of game involving the whole family can be a source of exercise. Even if there does not appear to be much movement involved in the game, simple activities like talking and laughing are great for your heart. Consider buying your child a bike if he or she doesn’t already have one. Bikes make exercise fun by giving your child a sense of freedom with every fat-burning turn of the pedals.
Every child is tempted to laze about in front of the TV when a friend comes over; it is your responsibility to make sure they are physically active. Take them to the park, the mall, or whatever you think might interest them.
In the end, it is tough to beat the outdoors when it comes to keeping teens and kids active. Camping, whether at summer weight loss camps or just with the family, provides a lot of physically engaging tasks that must be completed, like building a fire, pitching a tent, collecting wood and kindling, and keeping the campsite clean.
Ultimately, both weight loss camps and family activities use a similar tactic in getting kids to lose weight: group involvement. Feeling good about yourself and feeling like you belong to a group are essential to your success in trying to lose weight. Whatever method you choose for getting your kids active, make sure you keep in mind their need for a feeling of involvement.
