Tips for Healthy Children and Families - Part 2

Being More Active

For Children and Families

• Move more. Try to get between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Several 10 to 15 minute sessions of moderate activity each day add up.
• Include regular physical activity into your daily routine. Walk as a family before or after meals.
• Limit TV, computer and video game time to a total of one to two hours per day. Encourage physical activity instead.
• Balance energy calories with activity calories. The energy you get from foods and beverages should equal the calories you burn in activity every day. Read our handout on daily calorie needs for more information.
• Increase household activities (e.g., walking the dog, dusting, vacuuming, gardening). These activities are good ways to burn calories.
• Include an activity like hiking or bike riding when you go on vacation.
• Make playtime with your family more active by shooting hoops or walking to the park.

For Parents

• Move more. Walking is an easy way to be more active every day.
• Park the car in a spot farther away from the store or your office and walk.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• Use an exercise machine or lift weights while watching television.
• Walk to do errands.
• Be a role model for your children. Do something active every day.

How Active Are You?

Moderate Physical Activity	Vigorous Activity	More Vigorous Activity
Walking	Jogging	Running
Treading water	Swimming laps (light effort)	Swimming laps (vigorous effort)
Bicycling (10 mph)	Bicycling (12 mph)	Bicycling (more than 14 mph)
Dancing	Low impact aerobics	Step aerobics
Doing yard work/gardening	Mowing lawn with hand mower	Digging a ditch
Hiking	Playing doubles tennis	Playing singles tennis
Vacuuming	Moving furniture	Playing basketball or soccer
Playing with children	Weight lifting	In-line skating

Healthy Habits for Life

• Write down what you eat: how much, when and why. For example, what do you eat when you're stressed out? Learn more about keeping a food diary here.
• Record your physical activity: how long, how often and how hard do you work out?
• Eat only at the kitchen table. Don't drive, watch television or talk on the phone while you eat. This helps you focus on how much you are eating, which can prevent overeating.
• Put out your exercise clothes the night before as a reminder to walk or work out in the morning.
• Set goals you can achieve. For example, aim for eating more vegetables and fewer high-calorie foods.
• Don't "up size" your favorite drink – 32 oz. of regular soda has up to 400 calories! Choose water or a diet drink instead.
• Eat only until you're not hungry and push the plate away. Don't stuff yourself.
• Eat only because you're hungry, not because you're bored, tired or stressed. Use alternatives to eating when you're not hungry: take a walk, play a game, read a book or call a friend.
• Do your grocery shopping on a full stomach. This will help you make healthier food choices, rather than grabbing over-processed high-calorie foods, which can be hard to resist when your stomach is empty.