Encourage Your Teenager To Be Active
If you’re concerned that your teen isn’t getting enough exercise, it’s about time they got active. Motivate your teen to stay active and fit with some of the tips below. Because sport is health and it is normal for you to worry about the health of your children.
Motivate your teenager to be active
Obesity is no longer just a problem among adults. More and more children and adolescents are overweight around the world. Many young people face weight problems, and obesity is more common among adolescents. With the growing obesity problem reaching epidemic levels, this is a serious warning to parents.
With overweight children and teens having a 70% chance of becoming overweight adults, steps must be taken to reverse the crisis and ensure that our nation’s teens lead healthy and productive lives.
Overweight teens are at risk for many health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Add to this the emotional effects, such as social discrimination, low self-esteem and depression. Suddenly, being overweight becomes a problem that can cause lasting damage to a teenager’s well-being. So what can you do?
Find an activity that you like and keep it active
A teenager’s behaviors play an important role in whether he or she will be motivated to stay active and eat healthy, the two important factors in avoiding obesity. Educating your child from an early age about nutrition, physical activity, and the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle is essential .
Educate yourself on the subject and be prepared for any questions your child may ask. Be aware of the illnesses and health problems that being overweight brings, and don’t be afraid to lay out all the facts so you understand the seriousness of the situation.
Although factors such as the personal characteristics of your teenager and the financial situation of your family can be difficult to change, the environment is a factor that parents can control.
Try to involve your teenager in activities that he enjoys. Not everyone is cut out to be a star baseball player, and forcing your child to play a specific sport is not a good option if it doesn’t motivate him.
Motivate your teenager and respect their tastes
On the other hand, tune in to the tastes of your teenager. If he likes martial arts, sign him up for a class a couple of times a week. If he expresses an interest in tennis, involve him in tennis lessons. If your financial situation makes it difficult for you to pay for special lessons, research local activities in your city. Community centers often offer classes and lessons for free or at a reduced cost.
Making physical activity a family affair is another cheap and easy way to keep your teen active while building a strong relationship with you. Try to do a weekly family activity as part of your normal routine, which will soon become a family tradition.
Once a week, bring the whole family together for a fun exercise, like hiking, biking, or another activity that you enjoy. Not only will everyone get a great workout, but you’ll also spend some quality time together!
Teens want to stand out
Teens want to stand out and feel useful, and success can be a powerful motivator. An active part-time job helps many teens exercise and feel useful at the same time. However, keep in mind that it may take a couple of tries before your child finds a job or a type of sport that he enjoys and is doing well.
Don’t get frustrated if he changes his mind a few times. A solid relationship and good communication with your child will help both of you to discover the perfect activity for him, but, above all, to keep your father-son relationship more and more united. In addition, you cannot lose sight of the importance of being their best example to follow. Your child needs to learn from you!
