Energy balance means that you and your family need to balance energy IN with energy OUT. The calories we eat and drink (energy in) provide fuel for our bodies to use for every day activities and physical activities (energy out). The goal is to stay in energy balance.
Whether the goal for you and your family is to maintain a healthy weight, or to lose weight, it is important to keep energy balance in mind.
Health experts recommend that you think of ways to rev up the energy OUT in two important ways: things you can do together as a family that are fun and physically active, and things each of you can do in your everyday routines to increase your level of physical activity.
Make family time active time! You might think that the goal for children to be moderately physically active for 60 minutes seems like a lot of time. Life does get in the way, but it doesn't have to.
Make getting more physical activity a family project. Encourage everyone to think of fun things to do to get up and moving, get off the sofas and away from the screens—especially doing things as a family.
There are literally hundreds of ways to enjoy physical activity together as a family:
Bike to the library together.
Walk or bike to your children's sports events to cheer for them.
Have your children come to your sports events and cheer for you.
Celebrate special occasions—birthdays, anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a volleyball game, a Frisbee™ match.
Centerville-Washington Park
District (Washington Township Park District)
221 N. Main Street,
Centerville, OH 45459, (937) 433-5155, Rainout
(937) 433-2524 SITE
DIRECTORY
