Health & Fitness
Strong4Life: Road Trippin’
By Emily Stoniecki, HFS, Child Wellness, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Ahhh vacation…time to leave your worries and your work behind. But don’t let a road trip drive you away from staying physically active!
If you’ve visited Strong4Life.com lately, you’ve seen our on the go tips for healthy eating. Now we’re sharing easy ways to sneak a little “get up and go” on your summer vacations:
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o Take advantage of rest stops to get the blood flowing, loosen muscles and get some positive energy back in the car for the rest of your drive. Just a few minutes of exercise can amp up the family happiness vibe and dial down the shouts of “Mom, he’s bothering me!” from the back seat.
o Plan at least one active day on vacation, whether it’s swimming, biking, hiking, rollerblading. National, state and local parks are an easy way to get moving and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. Let each kid pick a day to help you plan.
Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
o Walk or rent bikes to get around—it’s a fun way to take in the local scene.
o Keep water bottles handy. Drinking water will keep kids (and grownups) hydrated and happy during hot summer months. Please, don’t waste money on sports drinks; they’re high in sugar and not good for you. Water is definitely best. You can make it fun by letting kids choose a piece of fruit for you to slice and add to their water bottle. My favorites are lime or any berry.
o What could be better than coming home from a family vacation less stressed? (Can I get a halleluiah??) A recent study revealed that just seven minutes of exercise a day can decrease stress and improve health. We’re still aiming for 60 minutes of physical activity daily, but seven minutes is a great start!
Vacation can be a terrific way to regroup, refresh and prioritize family health. If you’re just beginning to focus on your family’s fitness, make a strong decision to plan healthier vacations. If you’re already making strides toward good health, don’t leave those habits at home when you’re on the road!
Are you planning a road trip this summer? Tag us at @Strong4Life and share your family’s road trip food tips, family activities and pictures on Facebook and Twitter.
Strong4Life is a movement created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to address the childhood obesity medical crisis that is threatening nearly one million kids in Georgia. For information about Strong4Life visit our website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Strong4Life Blog
