Blog | January 25th, 2016
8 Healthy Resolutions for the whole family
Many people make resolutions at the beginning of the New Year, but it’s very difficult to stick to your plans if you don’t have constant support. That’s why making resolutions you can stick to as a family is such an important part of creating lasting changes. You can support each other while everyone works towards becoming a happier, healthier, more united family unit.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Sometimes having a family breakfast is not possible due to conflicting schedules and other commitments, but it should be everyone’s goal to eat a healthy meal every morning. Whether you drink a fresh fruit smoothie or sit down with a bowl of oatmeal, make sure that every member of the family eats something sustaining before leaving the house. Eating before you leave eliminates the temptation to stop at a garage or bakery to grab some pastries.
Exercise together
Spending time with your kids seems like a great excuse for skipping a workout, but you can have quality time while working out. Playing football with your kids, going on a family hike or cycling around the local park are great ways to get in your exercise while bonding as a family.
Drink water or milk instead of lemonade
Lemonade is convenient and tastes good, but it adds empty calories and sugar to your diet with zero nutritional value. Water is by far the most natural drink for your family, as our bodies are made of mostly water and it hydrates you without the extra calories. Milk is also an important drink, especially for the children in your home. Their bodies need all the calcium they can get to build strong bones.
Relax together without electronics
Most people spend hours in front of screens each day. Many of these hours are spent behind computer screens at work or school. Everyone is the family should give their minds a break from the screen for at least an hour each day. Perhaps introduce a games night, where the entire family gathers to play board games one night per week.
Eat healthy snacks
It’s easy to reach for a bag of crisps or raid the biscuit tin when you’re looking for an afternoon treat, but eating fruit and veg for snacks is much better for your body and brain. Washing and slicing fruit and vegetables as soon as you get home from the grocery shop is a great way to make them more convenient snacks. This way all you have to do is reach into the fridge and pull out a bag of carrot sticks or apple slices that is just as convenient as a bag of crisps.
Take more steps
Buying each member of your family a pedometer can make getting more exercise a fun family challenge. Buy a small prize for the member of the family who takes the most steps each week, or set a goal to take a certain number of steps as a family and do something fun if you meet the goal.
Get more sleep
One of the biggest health issues that many families face is not getting enough sleep. You cannot force yourself to sleep, but having a set routine at bedtime and going to bed earlier is a great way to encourage your body to rest. Getting enough sleep makes every member of the family more alert and ready to take on the new day.
Try new recipes together
Even very small members of your family can do something to help out in the kitchen, from washing the potatoes to setting the table. Kids who pick ingredients and help their parents prepare meals are more likely to try new foods.
Creating common goals can help families bond and really challenge each other. Tackle 2016 as a family and reap the rewards of built in teamwork.
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