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.
You can introduce them to older teens or young adults who are passionate about fitness and can serve as role models or mentors. Seeing others who have achieved success through exercise can inspire and motivate teenagers to follow suit. You can even involve a fitness professional to help you.
Educate
Teach your teenager about the long-term benefits of regular exercise, such as improved physical health, mental well-being, and increased energy levels. Helping them understand how exercise contributes to their overall health and happiness can be a powerful motivator.
Investigate their view and 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. 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. Allowing them to choose activities they enjoy increases the likelihood that they will stick with them.
Furthermore, you could utilize fitness apps or devices that gamify workouts by turning them into challenges or competitions. Many apps offer features like leaderboards, badges, and rewards for completing workouts, which can make exercise more engaging and fun.
Involve Their Friends
By involving their friends in some of these activities or sports, teenagers can stay involved in their social lives 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.
Set Goals
Help teenagers set specific, achievable fitness goals and track their progress. Whether it’s improving strength, endurance, or achieving a certain level of fitness for a particular sport, having clear goals can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
Perhaps your teenager has gained some extra weight during their studies but they aren’t sure how to lose the weight. So help him/her establish small, feasible goals. This also can help you both strengthen your bond.
Reward Their Work
Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement for their efforts, regardless of the outcome. Celebrate their progress and achievements, no matter how small, to build their confidence and motivation to continue exercising.
Provide incentives such as gift cards, movie tickets, or other rewards for achieving fitness goals or attending a certain number of workout sessions. You could also create a points system where they earn points for each workout that can be redeemed for rewards. For example, when they 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.
Lead by Example
Finally, be a positive role model by prioritizing your own fitness and leading an active lifestyle. Teenagers are more likely to adopt healthy habits when they see you practicing what you preach and what you expect from them.
Motivate and educate your teenager, make exercise fun, involve their friends, set goals, reward their work, and lead by example. 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
