Doing outdoor activities can level up your health. Regular physical activity benefits everyone — mom, dad, and even the kids. In fact, 20 minutes of exercise helps kids be physically fit and healthy, and for adults? Being active helps them become strong and happy.
These are precisely why moms Dang Ceñir and Rosie Domingo couldn’t be more excited to start doing morning exercises with their families now that restrictions are easing up. After all, it’s been a long time coming.
“I’m definitely excited to go back to the things we used to do as a family,” says Rosie, a mom of three. Dang feels the same, especially since her family was “strictly staying at home to limit exposure” after she gave birth to her second child in the early days of the pandemic.
Here, the moms talk about the morning activities they’re looking forward to doing with their kids, why exercise is important to them, and tips on encouraging children to be physically fit.
Family-friendly morning activities
“My husband and I used to jog every day from 2018 to 2019,” Dang shares. “It’s so simple to [include] into our routine. I like it because it’s doable even when we have kids in tow.”
Biking: This activity isn’t just an awesome way to get your heart pumping; it’s great fun, too.
“Before the pandemic, we would go to UP [Diliman campus] and bike around,” Rosie says. “Our kids have their own bikes and my husband and I also have one each because we really value physical activities for kids.”
“Apart from it having health benefits, it’s a great way to break the monotony of going to work for me and my husband, and schooling for the children,” she adds.
Swimming: While they weren’t able to do this as regularly as jogging and biking, Dang and Rosie are equally excited to get back into swimming together with their families.
Apart from their love for spending time in the water, the moms acknowledge how much swimming benefits one’s health, especially the children’s. As Rosie points out, “Good for their lungs kasi ‘yan kaya we really try to let [the kids] swim as often as possible.”
How to get the family up and moving
For moms who want to start being active and are planning to encourage their families to do the same, here are some tried-and-tested tips from Dang and Rosie:
1. Wake up a few minutes earlier than usual
Finding the time to do an activity is always a challenge, especially for moms whose daily schedules are often packed with both work commitments and home responsibilities. One thing you could do is to make the effort to wake up earlier than usual.
“Try to wake up at least 45 minutes earlier than everyone else, then squeeze in at least 30 minutes of any physical activity,” Dang says. “Once you get the hang of it, invite everyone to join you.”
“I know medyo mahirap sa schedule,” Rosie admits, sharing that apart from her day job and being a mom, she also juggles hosting and Smart Parenting Mom Squad duties. “Pero, basta kaya, I push myself. Kung hindi man kaya ng matagal na mag-workout, kahit 30 minutes of cardio or walking basta ‘wag lang idle.”
2. Level up mornings with a delicious and nutritious drink
It’s vital to start your mornings on the right note, so level up your morning activities with a delicious and nutritious drink. Rosie’s recommendation? Nutriboost, which helps give her the "extra push" to achieve her fitness goals.
Nutriboost is a nutritious flavored milk drink with vitamins, minerals, and the delicious goodness of milk. It contains vitamins B3, B6, and E; and zinc and calcium. With proper diet and an active lifestyle, Nutriboost — thanks to these nutrients — helps release energy, helps combat fatigue, helps support stamina, and helps build strong bones.
The whole family, both adults and children, will surely enjoy Nutriboost! Pair this delicious flavored milk drink with your family's breakfast to level up your morning. It comes in three sweet and milky flavors: Nutriboost Chocolate Milk that’s a luscious mix of milk and chocolate, and Nutriboost Milk + Juice Drink available in strawberry and orange flavors and made with milk and juice concentrate.
3. Allow kids to choose what to do
Although you can suggest specific activities, don’t forget to ask your children for their opinions, too. This way, you’ll know they will enjoy whatever it is you’re going to do together.
“You can always ask your kids what they want to do outside and simply join them,” Dang says. “That’s a good start for you and your kids to be active.”
4. Set a good example by being active yourself
It’s not enough to tell the kids why they need to be fit, you have to begin with yourself.
Do a physical activity on your own first. “Para no pressure muna,” Rosie quips. “At least ‘pag mag-isa ka, hindi ka worried or conscious of how you look.”
“‘Pag makuha mo na yung confidence then you can do it with a group. Let your kids tag along and tell them that you value time with them and their health kaya win-win when you do physical activities together,” she adds.
Why families should stay active
Dang grew up loving sports thanks to her dad who took her along with him to play tennis and badminton and to go biking. And she hopes that by starting them young, her kids would also grow up prioritizing physical fitness, too.
“Being outdoors is such a good family bonding experience,” Dang explains. “I try to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle so that my kids get a hang of it while they are still young, especially now that we live in a digital age. I want to make sure they remain healthy until their adult years,”
For Rosie, it was her husband who was her “fit-spiration.” According to her, being fit not only gives her confidence; it also helps make sure she’ll be healthy enough to be with her kids for a long time.
“I really just want to live a long and healthy life for my children,” Rosie says. “Gusto ko sila masamahan pa sa maraming bagay kaya I’m also trying to be as active as possible.”
Like Dang, Rosie also understands how vital physical fitness is for kids who are growing up in the digital age, saying: “We want [our kids] to realize the value of taking care of their bodies. This includes being physically active. Their generation, lalo na nung nag-pandemic, nasanay sila sa gadgets. We have to let them know that they have to move, move, move!”
“We tell them that it also makes them happy according to science kaya encouraged sila talaga to do running, biking, and swimming,” she says.
Here’s to hoping these moms and their kids can do these morning activities as safe and as fun as possible!
#LevelUpYourDayTheNutritiousWay and shop Nutriboost in supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide, as well as online via the CokeBeverages.ph website, Lazada, and Shopee. Follow Nutriboost Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
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