Fighting Obesity

Everyone needs daily physical activity.  Generally, our level of physical fitness reflects the state of our overall health, and the body’s fitness is usually determined by the amount of physical work we do.  Many of our ancestors physically worked hard every day.  They were naturally active.  Technological progress has changed the very nature of work.  Often, we sit at work and then, we sit at home.  Establishing a regimen of consistent physical exercise has the potential to improve our health, well-being and life expectancy.  Yet, it seems so difficult to implement.  I’m hoping that if I start a program with my children, now, maybe it will become such a habit that they will continue it into adulthood.  The experts estimate that “by 2015 75% of all US kids, adolescents and adults will be overweight or obese.”  That’s a statistic I’d rather not have a direct connection to.

Family Time Fitness  is Physical Education for everyone, but with their Fitness 4 Homeschool Curriculum it is especially for the Home School.

 

 

 

Designed for grades K through 8^th, Family Time Fitness utilizes the Guided Discovery Method to teach Movement Education.  “Guided Discovery is based on providing simple instruction then allowing children to explore movements on their own.”  Guided Discovery is approved by the International Youth Conditioning Association.

 

Family Time Fitness gives us, as parents and teachers, the instruction needed to confidently teach our children basic physical movement:

Skipping

Hopping

Crawling

Shuffling

Running

and Jumping

Each of the 260 lessons is clearly outlined with written instructions and video examples to follow.

Lessons detail –

Skills Taught

Equipment Needed

and Suggested Recovery Time

Plus –

3-5 activities for Warm-up:

Standing Leg Swings

Arm Circles

Toe Raises

Heel Walks

Ankle Alphabets

the Rocking Horse Series

and More…

3 or 4 activities for Game Play:

Wall Sits

Ball Circles

Shuffle & Skip with Toss

Partner Turn and Pass

Shoulder Tag

Bear Crawl

and Several Others…

2-3 Cool Down activities:

the Bowing Pose

Lion Pose

Crossover Stretch

Palm Tree Pose

and Single Leg Stretch

To Name a Few…

And 1 Outdoor Activity:

Freeze Tag

Monkey in the Middle

Who can Hula Hoop the Longest?

The Agility Course

and More.

 

 

 

The lessons are structured to provide 25-45 minutes of physical activity, with an additional 15-30 minutes of outdoor play included for a full 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily.  On average, it is taking us an entire hour just to accomplish the 25-45 minute activity.  Sometimes for fun, they do the 15-30 minute play, later in the day.  Other days, lack of time doesn’t allow us to do anymore PE for the day.  This program is flexible to any schedule, adaptable to any level of fitness and can be easily modified to meet each family’s needs.

It is recommended that Fitness 4 Homeschool be used at the same time each day, 5 days a week.  Presently, we are only using it 2 to 3 times a week.  Believing that “physical activity helps activate the brain and improves on task behavior,” we have set our family fitness time first thing in the morning; after face washing and teeth brushing, but before breakfast and school.  Starting after breakfast tends to churn up breakfast-in-the-belly because this, seriously, is a workout!

 

 

The lessons are designed so they can be done in limited space, but I think our space restrictions are a little much even for Family Time Fitness.  We couldn’t seem to do any of the activities in the house.  We did everything outside, and if the weather didn’t permit being outside then we postponed the lesson.  For those that have ample clear floor space, ideas and suggestions are added for indoor use.  For example, “Use foam balls for activities that require a ball with an alternative being a blow up beach ball.”

 

Lots of the activities are done without equipment, but some require readily available items that make the lessons more enjoyable:

Bean Bags – or small Balls, even a pair of socks rolled into a ball shape

Jump Ropes

Hula Hoops

Playground Balls – basketball, soccer ball or volley ball

Foam Balls

Cones – alternative might be a box, a bucket or even a large rock

Measuring Tape

Stop Watch

and an Exercise Mat – if needed after assessment of activity area

 

A Tracking Calendar is provided.  It can be copied and used for record keeping, as well as encouragement when a lesson is completed.

 

There is also an Assessment Form.  It is optional, but it is helpful to gauge where your child is starting in skill level and aptitude.  Assessing again, in 6-8 weeks, will usually show a noticeable improvement in a number of areas –

Strength

Mobility

Agility

Flexibility

Coordination

Balance

Endurance

and Mental Acuity

Other tools to assist you include:  a Daily Food Diary, Grocery List, a Meal Planner; and a Nutrition Log.

 

I have the PDF version of Fitness 4 Homeschool – Core 1 Physical Education Curriculum.  Paying a one time fee of $57 will give you access for a lifetime.  One of my favorite things in this format is the One Page Summaries.  One Page Summaries provide an overview of each lesson.  They were actually created to save on print costs.  How considerate!  You print one page and use it as a reference guide for the lesson you reviewed.  The lessons are formatted for the iPad and smartphones, too!  That’s another print saver.

 

 

It’s my intention to continue with Family Time Fitness and promote a few good habits with my children.  My youngest daughter loves “exercising and playing together.”  Her favorite activity is actually a Warm-up:  “Popcorn.”  The child lies flat on her back with her arms extended over her head.  She brings her knees to her chest, holding her legs with her arms wrapped around them.  She lifts her head as close to her knees as possible, holding that position to the count of 10.  Then, she “pops out” and back to the starting position!

My son gets distracted waiting for the set up or instruction for the next game.  He’s also extremely competitive and has to be reminded that every activity is not a contest against one of his siblings.  I’m looking forward to the improvement in his skill level, but also a positive change in his attitude.

The oldest daughter that is participating sees the benefit of “purposefully moving,” but has never enjoyed exercising.  “If you have to do it, Family Time Fitness is more fun with the family than working out alone.”

 

Comments or Questions?

Contact –

Email ~ CustomerService@FamilyTimeFitness.com

Phone ~ 979.209.0778

or Write ~

Family Time Fitness

3131F East 29th Street

Bryan, TX  77802

 

and follow on facebook 

 

 

Please, follow the links I’ve provided throughout this post; including the banner below that directs you to the Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog and my Crew mates reviews.

 

 

 “Be enthusiastic about physical activity.  Children will give physical activity the same importance and enthusiasm that the parent or teacher gives.”

 

Blessings,