Don’t let your family hibernate this winter!

Michael Cordas, Jr., DO,
FAOASM, FAAFP 

The winter time can make it challenging to maintain an active lifestyle. But the cold weather shouldn't prevent you and your family from staying active. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily. These guidelines are easy to meet even in the winter. There are many ways for you and your family to stay active.

Here are some ideas of how to keep you and your family active this winter:

• Encourage kid to get moving inside. You don’t need a lot of space to exercise inside your home. Try push-ups, sit ups, jumping jacks and jumping rope for a good cardio work out.
• If your kids are hooked on electronics especially during the winter, use technology to your advantage. Challenge your kids to find online exercise videos for their age and skill level.
• Visit your local library and see the exercise videos they offer.
• Check out your local gyms and fitness centers for kid-friendly classes and activities and even on-site child care.
• Check out your local indoor facilities and YMCA’s for a list of pick-up and recreational sports leagues, camps and activities for all ages. Many offer pick-up games, rec leagues, lessons and camps for basketball, soccer, swimming, lacrosse, football, wrestling and even ice skating.

 Learn more about the PinnacleHealth Sports Medicine Center.