Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent ‌Winter 2014 | Page 25

Come to 3d Bedding in stock Kids & Adults pendent activities such as bike riding or swimming will suit them best. Keeping your kids’ – and your own – interests in mind, there are fun and easy ways to be active. It’s also a great way to spend time together as a family. The key is to keep it fun and simple so that everyone will happily join in. If parents can help their children find an enjoyable activity, this hobby will likely become a lifelong habit for healthy living – a wonderful gift that parents can give their children. Fun Ideas for Active Families A current fitness craze is the 30-day challenge. Why not design your own challenge by putting together a month of daily fit activities. You could work together as a family to come up with 30 fun and unique ideas such as danc- ing to every family member’s favourite song, hop around the garden or pre- tend to shoot hoops and dribble a ball in the living room. Work exercise into regular activi- ties. If you’re watching TV, do three sets of 10 sit-ups during every commercial break. Stop and do 10 squats every five minutes while waiting for dinner to cook. Or choose a commonly used word in your house and make it a rule that ev- eryone has to do 10 jumping jacks every time it is said. Encourage a competitive spirit and make it a contest to see who can do the most exercise in a day. Hit the beach. Walking on sand burns more than twice the energy of what you burn walking on flat, hard surfaces. While there, build a huge sand castle and burn an extra 100 to 200 calories an hour. Or just give the kids a bucket of chalk and a driveway and they will draw, while moving, squatting, jumping and running. It’s all about encouraging your children to move. If you realise you have not had enough activity for the day, go for a walk. Walk around the block, choose your favourite corner of the Island to explore or visit the Wellness Resources on the Argus website at www.argus.bm for a list of walking routes. As a family, walking together can help everyone reconnect without the interruptions of phone calls, emails and other daily dis- tractions. Plus, getting outside has the added benefit of being amongst neigh- bours, seeing the scenery – promoting a sense of mental and social well-being, important for a holistic health regimen. Getting started is the hardest part. Once your family develops a habit of exercising every day, everyone will feel stronger and happier. Physical activity not only helps to prevent many dis- eases, but it also builds strong bones and muscles, improves sleep, improves social lives, helps with weight control and helps create an overall positive out- look on life. It’s an investment in your health and happiness. Michelle Jackson, is Executive Vice President, Group Insurance at the Argus Group, with the responsi- bility of overseeing the Group Insur- ance department which includes Health Insurance, Group Life and Disability as well as Worker’s Compensation. Michelle joined the company in 2004. She is a YouthNet mentor and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. www.argus.bm Customize your Gadget with your love ones #whoandwhatsonyourcase IPhone4S,5S,5C IPAD & IPAD mini Samsung S3, S3mini,S4,S4mini Samsung Tab 7’& 10” BlackberryZ10 24 hr turn around time Mon - Sat 9:30 - 5:30 www.bermudaparent.bm 23