With these challenges, you may find that your own physical activity and health begins to slide down the priority list. But fortunately, you can be active even when you’re busy supporting your kids in their activities. Read on for suggestions about how to make it happen.

Their Active Time Can Be Your Active Time
Try being active while your kids are playing their sports or doing other activities.

If your children’s activity is in a recreation centre, why not use the facilities? A quick workout is better than no workout.

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During their swim lessons, there may be room in the pool for you to swim lanes. During their games or practices, you can walk or jog around the rink or field. You’ll still be able to catch all the action.

This can be a great opportunity to inspire other parents to be active as well. Grab a few other parents and cruise around the field, gym or rink. You might even want to try doing some stretches or strength activities like push-ups and curl-ups. These activities can be more fun with others, plus it may make you feel more comfortable if you’re a bit shy about doing these activities on your own.

Better yet, why not get involved in your child’s sport? You can volunteer as an assistant coach or a referee. You can even try to set up some kids vs. parents “fun games.” These can be a ton of fun, and they get everyone moving.

You can even fit physical activity around your kids’ music lessons, crafts or drama. During their lesson, walk around the neighbourhood, or use nearby recreation facilities. This can be a great time to enjoy being by yourself.

Finally, being active while your kids are being active may be as simple as ditching the car. Walk or bike to your children’s lessons and activities. This can be a great time to chat with your kids while getting some physical activity together. Plus this helps to solve some of the traffic and parking issues you might face when you’re picking up or dropping off your kids.

Try Your Child’s Activity
Some parents opt to do the same activities as their kids. It saves money on babysitters and you get to have some quality time together.

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Many facilities offer programs and classes that allow parents and kids to be active together. Some examples are:

• yoga for moms and babies
• stroller walking groups for moms
• aerobic classes for parents and tots

For those with older kids, martial arts such as judo, tae kwon do and karate are great for families. Many of these clubs offer family rates and can accommodate all skill levels.

Other activities you can participate in as a family include: 

• hiking and walking
• swimming
• cycling
• skating (indoor or outdoor)

Use Your Lunch Break
For lots of parents, the best time to be active is at lunch. You can use your lunch break to do activities that are centred around you and what you enjoy doing.

• Go for a walk or a jog.
• Join a gym at or near work.
• Find a lunchtime class.

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In your busy life as a parent, you may only have snippets of time for physical activity. That’s OK. Even 10 minutes of physical activity is beneficial to you. Just try to make sure that your total physical activity each day adds up to 30 to 60 minutes, as that is the minimum you need to enjoy good health.

Taking time to be active sends the message to your kids that you value physical activity, and actions always speak louder than words. By making physical activity a priority, you help to establish good habits for yourself and for your kids—habits that will help all of you lead long, healthy lives.

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Learn More
How Can My Family and I Be More Active in Our Leisure Time?
The Alberta Centre for Active Living offers this advice on how to be more active as a family.

How Much Physical Activity is Enough?
The Alberta Centre for Active Living summarizes the physical activity guidelines from Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living.

Barriers to Being Active Quiz
This quiz from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helps you identify what barriers prevent you from being more active. This will help you make a plan for addressing these barriers.