Practical Fitness for Moms... and Rainy Day Fitness for Kids!
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, December 04, 2006
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 7 No 57 December 4, 2006
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2006 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!
If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Fitness for Moms
Helpful Tips
-- Rainy Day Fitness
Resource Review
-- Fun Physical Fitness
Reader Question
-- Frazzled Mom
Additional Notes
-- Archived Newsletters
-- Email Support Group
-- Sponsorship Info
-- Reprint Info
-- Subscriber Info
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Notes from Heather
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I subscribe to Google alerts for interesting articles that mention
homeschooling. Last week I read this one below from a newspaper
in Reading, PA. It was a question from a homeschooling mom to
Eugenie Jones, a fitness columnist who has been writing on the
subject for 13 years. I think you will be inspired by her thoughtful
and gracious response! When I read this article I couldn't wait to
share it with you all. :-)
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[Reprinted by permission]
The Question:
Penny Merck from Rock Hill, SC writes, “I enjoy your articles in The
Herald. I am 5’ 7" and weigh about 217 lbs. I homeschool two children.
I don't have an exercise program, spend most evenings driving my
children to activities, and we don't eat particularly healthy. I don't
have a gym membership, but do have access to a treadmill. I want to be
healthy for my children, and wonder if you have any suggestions for
someone lacking energy and motivation."
Eugenie's Response:
Penny, homeschooling is a lot of work and I commend you for caring
so much for your children that you’re willing to take on such a huge
responsibility. It's understandable though that as a mom and a teacher
you find regular exercise difficult and equally understandable that -
with an already packed schedule - you aren’t motivated to add one more
straw to the camel’s back – regardless of how, 'good-for-you' that
straw happens to be.
Still, (and thank goodness for 'stills') while you’re in a demanding
situation, it’s not an impossible one. Here are a few suggestions to
help you in terms of a plan and stirring up some motivation to put that
plan into action.
Ready, Set, Learn
Becoming knowledgeable about behavior modification, healthy eating
and exercise will be crucial to your success. So while the kids are
doing their school work you’ll have some learning of your own.
Beyond continuing to read my column, I hope, a subscription to
Prevention Magazine would be money well spent. Also, excellent diet
and fitness information can be found at www.webmd.com. In terms
of behavior modification and lifestyle improvement, 'Habits Not Diets'
by James Ferguson is a great book to own.
Look Ahead & Get Motivated
It’s wonderful that you’re reflecting on how your weight will impact
your future with your children, but in terms of self-motivation why not
reflect on how it will impact you? Imagine changing nothing and con-
tinuing in your current lifestyle, take your current rate of yearly
weight gain into account and project ahead, estimating what you will
weigh in five, ten, and fifteen years. Visualize too how you’ll look at
that weight, how it might impact your health, wellness, or self-esteem
and I believe you’ll have the motivation you need to start living
differently.
Be A Stickler
If you’re not a stickler for schedules, you’ll have to become one.
Things have to happen at set, predictable, times ('things' being kid’s
bedtimes, wake-up times, meal times, bath times, etc…) in order for you
to have set, predictable, free time.
This 'free' time can translate into your being able to regularly get to
bed early and subsequently be rested enough to get up for an early
morning workout -- which tends to be the best exercise time when
distraction-filled days are the norm.
Convenience & Flexibility
A treadmill at home is a big bonus. Walking or jogging are great ways
to burn fat and build cardio ability. In addition to your treadmill,
check out www.collagevideo.com for a few exercise videos -- cardio and
resistance -- to expand the convenience and variety of your home
workouts.
Also, when you’re escorting your children to practices, bring your
walking shoes along with you. While they’re inside or on the field,
rather than warming the bleachers with the other moms, you can get
in a walk or run.
Finally, it's always easiest to do nothing, but if you think about the
future you want, as well as consider the example your lifestyle sets for
your children, I believe you’ll find the strength and tenacity needed to
put these suggestions into practice and reach the fitness level you
desire.
[Eugenie Jones is a 13-year veteran fitness columnist for the Kitsap
Sun Newspaper and Scripps-Howard Newswire Service. She can be
contacted via email at eugeniek@comcast.net.]
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Helpful Tips
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Physical Fitness for Kids... and Moms can even join in!
"On days when we are cooped up inside, the boys love this CD called
'Fun Physical Fitness for the Home' (by Sono Sato Harris). They
'exercise' but to music and motions that are called 'The Russian Bear',
'The Crab Crawl', 'Blast Off', etc. It comes with a book that describes
the motions and gives other tips on doing exercises for kids. The age is
for up to 10 years, I think, but my 12 year old still likes to goof
around with it." -- Lori in VA (HomeschoolingBOYS.com group)
Here is a link to purchase the book and CD at a good discount!
http://www.FamilyClassroom.net/FunPhysicalFitness.html
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Overwhelmed thinking about adding physical fitness to your day?
Not even sure where to start?
Here is a tip to help you get started from the FlyLady.net website.
It would work well if you have an older child to watch the younger
ones... or if you can get moving before everyone is awake!
"Set your timer for 7 minutes and head out for a walk. When it goes
off, turn around and come home. Then grab a glass of water. That's
it - just 15 minutes."
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Do you have any exercise or health tips to share? Please do!
No -- we can't put this off until January!! With all the holiday
feasting, we need it now! (Me more than ever... LOL) ;-)
Send to: HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Resource Review
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[The following review was written by Cindy's friend, Suzanne
Ambrioso, who has a background in P.E. instruction.]
The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book
For more information or to purchase: www.educatorspress.com
'The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book' is
190 pages of movement activities and games designed for children
ages 6 to 17 that can be played in a backyard setting (assuming
you have a nice size, flat lawn) or park.
The author, Guy Bailey, has an extensive background in physical
education and has authored two other books pertaining to this subject.
He uses his knowledge of the traditionally larger-formatted sports
and games to break down these activities into smaller group settings
that are more favorable to homeschoolers. He is able to do this
successfully without sacrificing the basic skills required for the sport
or activity, while at the same time keeping the participants interested
in the game due to the smaller size of the group. Most activities are
for 2 to 4 players which means not having long waits between partici-
pant's turns. They can also easily be adapted to accommodate any
number of children and variety of ages.
'The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book' is chaptered by
the major sports groups: football, soccer, basketball, softball,
racquetball and net games, and then followed by four more chapters
offering lots of other recreational games/movement type activities.
Each chapter has sport specific skills (try saying that fast three
times) and activities. Also, the beginning of the chapter has a glossary
of terms used in each sport. Each activity is then broken down with
skills taught, equipment needed, number of players, suggested age level
and description of play. While illustrations may be somewhat generic,
they are still informative as to how to play the game.
I had a hard time keeping my hands on this book as I have older boys
that also 'reviewed' this book. Several of these games and activities
were 'put to the test' in a summer gymnastics camp.
Overall, I would not only consider 'The Ultimate Homeschool Physical
Education Game Book' an excellent resource for a homeschool family
with multiple children or a homeschool P.E. co-op, but also not limited
to the homeschool environment. It could also be used with youth
groups, family outings, daycares and parties.
[Brought to us by Cindy at www.HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com]
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"Fellow homeschooling Moms, how do you do everything? How do
you keep up with homeschooling and all that it requires and keep up
with everything around the house (in and outside). I am frazzled in
trying to do it all without my husband's help. He goes to work every-
day and that is all that he does. I do everything else. Does anyone
have any advice on how to homeschool as one parent, but you are
married to someone who offers no help? Am I asking too much to
have my husband a part of our world? Am I being unrealistic to want
some help in homeschooling? His family and himself make me feel
like I am. If I am, please let me know so I can get past wanting him
to share in our experience and accept that this is something that she
and I will do alone. Thanks!!" -- Frazzled Homeschool Mom
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Our Readers' Responses
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NOTE: We had so many answers to the question last issue that I
just couldn't fit them all here. Instead of posting the answers as
part of the newsletter, I'm putting them all on a web page. I didn't
want to give preference to one over another and I simply didn't have
the time to correct grammar and punctuation on each one, which I
usually do. I can't help being a perfectionist - I'm a first-born child!
Anyhow, here is a temporary link to the answers. I'll keep it up for
only a week or so. There were 15 answers!
http://www.familyclassroom.net/answers20061204.html
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Answer our NEW Question
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"How important is learning English grammar, beyond the basics of
noun, verb, adjective, adverb? My 11-year old son detests learning
about helping verbs, linking verbs, verb phrases, and all the nitty-
gritty of grammar. I don't think it's sticking in his brain at all,
and I'm beginning to think it's ridiculous to keep trying to force it
into his (sometimes thick, lol) head." -- Linda in Colorado
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Do you have some sage advice for Linda?
Please send your answer to: HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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ASK YOUR QUESTION
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Do you have a question you would like our readers to answer?
Send it to HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
if we can help you out in a future issue!
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