Children Must Exercise to Stay Healthy - Start the Exercise Habit When Kids Are Very Young

Last night I went to a killer pilates class, one of thoseacross the ceiling as they held on to the handle and I
things we all love to hate. The teacher announcedheld on to their legs; and parachutes, balls and hoops
she is starting a class for moms and babies up to 25in an array of sizes.
pounds. Their weight matters because the classWe all now know that to stay healthy we need to
involves the moms lifting the babies for an hour andexercise every day. If your children are in the habit
at some point a heavy baby is tough to keep lifting.of getting some activity when they are very young,
It reminded me of the Gymboree classes I used toit will be a routine that will stay with them throughout
attend with my kids. They were wonderful for manytheir lives. Organized sports are great, but not all kids
reasons. First, we got to spend time together doingare athletic, and not all parents are bought in to the
something really fun. Next, the kids got lots ofrigors of their child being on a team. Playing soccer in
exercise, jumping, running, bouncing, and constantlythe backyard, swinging on the swing set, tossing a
moving throughout the hour. They were alsoball back and forth, are all physical activities that will
exposed to gym equipment they had never seenkeep you and your children fit and healthy. And, they
before, including uneven parallel bars; pullies that fleware lots of fun!