As children grow into teenagers, it can become harder to find activities or hobbies to enjoy. With their education and part-time jobs taking over their free hours, it can become challenging to stay fit. Over time, they can even gain weight and lose the motivation to keep moving.
Many become interested in improving their quality of life. However, they might not have enough knowledge or time to find something active that they can enjoy. So here are a few tips to help teenagers become more active, so they can have more energy and improve their lifestyles.
Find a Motivator
One of the best tips to help teenagers become more active is to help them find a reason to become healthier. If your teenager is intimidated by exercise and getting in shape, don’t pressure them in a harsh way. Most teenagers feel that they need to become slim and fit for vanity reasons. Yet, that shouldn’t remain their only reason to start working out. Exercise is about bettering oneself and improving your stamina.
So have a discussion with your child about their reasons for wanting to work out. Afterward, go through each point and discuss the pros and cons of their reasoning. The best advice for working out is to find an exercise they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. So look at different practices and physical activities they can find happiness in. It’s one of the essential life skills that teenagers can carry over into adulthood as they mature and grow.
Make It Fun
If your teenager is open to traditional ways to stay fit, make exercise fun so they enjoy it. You can even involve a fitness professional to help you. If he/she isn’t interested, find an activity or sport that appeals to them. Some new activities they can try are swimming, after-dinner walks, dancing, football, and rollerblading – there’s so much to choose from. Plus, they can involve their friends in some of these activities or sports and stay involved in their social life simultaneously.
It’ll give them the chance to explore something fun to do without feeling the pressure of a gym environment. For example, they can go for a long walk while listening to their favorite music. The importance of finding something fun for them to do expands their interests further.
Reward Their Work
Perhaps your teenager has gained some extra weight during their studies. They approach you and want to become more active but they aren’t sure how to do it. So you decide to establish small, feasible goals and create a reward system to maintain their motivation. This also can help you both strengthen your bond.
A great example is if they lose five pounds after a month of dedication, they can go to an ice cream parlor and get their favorite flavor. If they want to remain consistent with their hard work, take them to their favorite clothing store and buy them that t-shirt they’ve been wanting. It’s all about them feeling valid in their efforts, and rewarding them keeps them focused.
Motivate your teenager, make exercise fun, and reward their work. These are some of the tips that can help teenagers become more active. By getting active and disciplined, they acquire many skills that will help them navigate through life.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
