Obesity is becoming a major problem among our children. The average child spends about 3 hours a day watching TV, and another 2.5 hours playing videos, DVD’s, and other screen media games.

Living a sedentary lifestyle has many health risks such as Type II Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, breathing problems, and we can go on and on. These risks can be minimized by limiting the amount of time spent watching TV and more time on exercising.

Like adults, children need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity everyday. Kids who exercise on a regular basis are able to handle physical and emotional challenges better. And as they get older, their self esteem continues to grow and they are more likely to become leaders as adults. Daily exercise make children feel less stressed, feel better about themselves, which will help them to focus better at school. Other benefits include building and keeping healthy bones, muscles and joints. Last, but not least, they sleep better at night when they are tired (a real bonus!)

There are three elements of fitness which you should try to combine in an exercise routine. They are endurance, strength and flexibility. Endurance is achieved during aerobic exercise when the heart rate beats faster and breathing is harder. Aerobic activity strengthens the heart, thus improving the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to all its cells. Some examples of aerobic exercise are running, jogging, swimming, and bicycling. The second element is strength, and this include exercises such as push-ups, crunches, and pull ups. The last element is flexibility. Stretching one’s muscles after any activity is a great addition to physical exercise.

The hardest thing about exercise is establishing a routine. Most families are so busy with their lives that an hour for exercise just doesn’t fit in their schedule. However, when you make it fun, the whole family will join in. Also, to work out with your family or friends is a great motivation – that way it doesn’t matter what kind of day you may have had, there’s always someone to encourage or challenge you!

One of my favorite exercises we do as a family, besides Tae Kwon Do, is biking around Casa de Campo. Not only do we get to build up a sweat, but we also get to enjoy some breathtaking views. This is actually one of the inspirations to get us out everyday.

This article was contributed by Mylyn Vedel, registered Nurse, 4th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt and mother. Mylyn as well as being a Casa de Campo Living contributor (which we are VERY grateful for), she also teaches a Taekwondo class at the La Romana Country Club, with her husband Peter Vedel and her 6 year old daughter Angel.