bythemethod.com blog

It’s easy for parents and teachers to tell children that they should get more exercise but what if the children don’t see the point? I doubt there are many children who worry about their future health. Like the rest of us I they probably assume that somehow things will be fine for them. So how can children get excited about exercise and is there any help from “the method”?

Having a clear idea of what you want to do and why you want to do it

Nobody ever really achieved anything without an idea of what they were trying to achieve. It just stands to reason. You are not going to get anywhere without knowing where you are trying to get to.

Children are just the same in this regard. They need an idea of where they are trying to get to. Most of the exercise stuff that I read talks about getting fit for a lifetime of good health and other inspiring messages like that. Frankly most of us don’t want to do anything that we will have to wait a lifetime to appreciate. A lifetime of good health sounds good but what 8 year old is thinking about what life will be like for them when they are 80 when they think 30 is getting a bit old really.

So stop banging on about later health benefits it doesn’t work. When you are old you wish you had listened of course but by then it’s too late.

So children need something a bit closer.

Get your children interested in some sports

You have to seize opportunities when they come along. We have just had the Olympics on our T.V.s and now its the Paralympics. Lots of good sport to watch and with the British Team winning stuff its all very exciting.

Children like this kind of excitement and even if you are not that bothered about it get your children to watch some good sports (the kind of thing where people actually exercise – not car racing). If you can get them to an actual sporting event then get them there, there is always a lot more excitement at an event.

Ask them

Sadly people rarely ask children what they want. So start asking your children what they want as far as sport and exercise goes. Don’t give up when they just grunt back – chances are they are grunting because they are tired or don’t think you will listen. Ask them again another time – don’t be aggressive just ask their opinion.

Ask them why they want it

Try to get them to say why they want something. Get them to put some emotions with it. Getting some emotional attachment to something you want can help you get it.

Get them to write it down

I’ve done this with my children now and I’ve got them to write this down. What they have not written much but they have written it down. Over time I will get them to expand on this.

They have all kinds of reasons for wanting to do things but what I will help them do (which is the best thing for them at their age) is to work on general fitness.

I’ll let you know how we get along but at least now they have something that will inspire them to get started. If you don’t know what you want it is hard to get started in the first place.