Grand Magazine - July/August 2008 - (Page 40)

Do your granDchilDren like a challenge? Sign up to participate in the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge. Track your progress as you get into shape and earn awards. www.presidentschallenge. org/the_challenge/index. aspx turtles? As grandparents, we have to consider the child’s age and developmental ability, as well as observing commonsense safety precautions. We can determine our grandchild’s physical readiness by consulting the guidelines at Shape Up America! at www.shapeup.org. When we show our grandchildren that getting into shape is fun, it’s likely they’ll learn how to make it a lifetime habit. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective, just consistent. For those of us who may be impatient to make up for lost time, we should ignore the motto “No pain, no gain,” because it is often counterproductive and can lead to injuries. It’s never too late, and every little bit of physical activity helps. We simply slip into comfortable clothes, appropriate shoes and any necessary protective gear, and begin at the beginning, with patience for our out-of-shape bodies—and a sense of humor. We can show our grandchildren how not to give up when the going gets tough: We can demonstrate that although we might not be able to do five sit-ups or walk a mile today, we might be able to do so tomorrow. What kinds of physical activity count? Good, old-fashioned, unorganized, out-of-doors playtime that doesn’t require one to join a team, pay club fees or wear a uniform is just fine. Playing outdoors offers some of the best physical challenges neeD some iDeas? • Hit a birdie (badminton) • Tai chi • Create a backyard obstacle course that offers a variety of challenges • Set up a net (or a high string) and lob volleyballs back and forth • Play two-square with a bouncy ball against a wall or together • Play Ping-Pong • Stretch, roll around and bounce on an exercise ball • Make up your own Pilates routine or take a class • Take turns blowing bubbles and chasing them • Ride a bike or a scooter (wear a helmet) • Plant a garden: dig, rake, pull weeds; smell the flowers! • Strap on roller skates or inline skates (and helmet) • Gyrate like Elvis with a hula hoop • Skip, jog or run • Go for a brisk walk—take the dog or the neighbor’s dog! (Save fuel!) • Throw horseshoes • Ride bikes • Zip through sprinklers on a hot day! 40 GRAND JULY AUGUST 2008 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Climb a low-limbed tree or jungle gym Jump on a pogo stick (wear helmet) Play croquet Rock-climb (wear helmet) Row a boat Lift light weights Raid the vegetable bin for a potato and play “hot potato” Play catch: softball, football, Frisbee; or in a pinch use a soft, rolled-up pair of socks! Shoot hoops with a basketball or join friends for the real thing Jump rope Play hopscotch Put on some upbeat music and dance! Swing—with more leg pumping than pushing! Swim—super for a whole-body workout that doesn’t jar one’s joints Play chase or tag Play some rousing rounds of “Simon Says”—have “Simon” request lots of jumping jacks, etc. Like guidance with privacy? There are plenty of DVDs (and videotapes) that can guide one through belly dancing, aerobics and “buns of steel” exercises! hoW much exercise is enough? The President’s Council on Sports and Fitness recommends the following activity amounts: Children and teens between the ages of 5 and 17 require a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity each day, at least five days a week. (Exercise times can be broken into segments of 15 minutes.) adults 18 years and older require a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each day, at least five days a week. (Exercise times can be broken into segments of 10 minutes.) www.presidentschallenge.org http://www.shapeup.org http://www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/index.aspx http://www.presidentschallenge.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Grand Magazine - July/August 2008

Grand Magazine - July/August 2008 Contents Grand View: Love Is All That's Left Isn't It Grand?: Reassessing the Postponed Life Grand Central Just So We Know: One Mixed-Up Lemon Long-Distance Love: Cuttings Ask Grand: Stuck on Stuff Grand Gestures: "Thanks for the Ugly Gift" Tips on Teens: All That Doesn't Meet the Eye Live Long and Propser On the Cover: Peter Yarrow Presents of Mine Thicker Than Water? Reunions: White Water, White Knuckles The Grand Gourmet So We Are Not Alone Looking Grand: Suit-Able Grandbloggers: Why Watch TV When We Can Talk? Grand Bazaar Resources Grand Finale: What Boat

Grand Magazine - July/August 2008

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