Do you remember when walking didn’t involve being plugged in?
How about when “organic” was just the way we did things?
Lately we have found ourselves yearning for the old days. You know – as a kid in the summertime, we couldn’t wait to get outside and play all day. We were running out of the door to a world filled with adventure, and our moms would yell to us: “Be home for dinner!” Play dates didn’t exist. Most parents didn’t worry about their kids being in harm’s way. Everyone got plenty of exercise.
Raising children today is a bit different than in our parents’ generation. Today, the electronic world has taken over the adventure of being outside and exploration is in the mind and at the finger tips while being in the prone or seated position. Now for all you tech people out there, we’re not bashing technology. In fact, we own a fair share of the latest techno-stuff and always want more. This is about getting back to the basics of good health. Yes, we know, there are all kinds of fitness technologies to improve how we exercise and live physically – but we have to wonder if we are losing something in the trade off.
A couple of weekends ago we took a short three day getaway. We removed our watches, there was little to no cell service, and lots of free time. During the getaway, we went on a bike ride. We cruised along at our own pace, got to enjoy being outside with the air on our faces, not even wondering us how fast we were going, what direction we were headed, or what time we would arrive wherever.
We really enjoyed the freedom.
We’ll fill you in on a little secret. This blog started in a very different place than it ended. We are thankful for all the technology so we don’t have to go out to a well and fetch a bucket of water every hour. At the same time we wonder if we need to unplug ourselves, and more importantly, our kids, to regain the freedom of living in the real moment.
Today there are many good programs out there to get kids off the couch and exercising, such as the NFL’s Play 60, or Operation Fitkids. While these programs are part of a much larger incentive to get moving, which is good, it is concerning that they have to exist at all. Are we parents missing something? Just some “organic” food for thought.
According to LIVE STRONG, only 42% of young children get the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. One out of every three kids is overweight. We usually don’t quote numbers but these are important. It really important to be aware that our bodies need both mental and physical attention to be healthy. The cost of healthcare will continue to soar (that’s a whole other story) if our choice is to let our bodies breakdown.
With just a little bit of awareness, we can help change the future of our children (and ourselves) for the better. Explore new territory with your kids. Push them beyond the boundaries of the living room and get them on a healthier path. Breaking-through the box that exercise is work or a punishment starts with us: the parents. If we step onto a healthier path along side of our kids, then we all win!
You don’t have to be a superstar to enjoy running around and having fun.
Play physically, because you’re worth it!