Remember when you were a child playing on the playground? You would run, jump, play on the swings, grab a basketball and shoot some hoops or a multitude of other things. Remember how hyped up and energized you would feel and you would play till you hit near exhaustion.

The playground is an excellent place to burn calories. I have told parents many times if they would just watch their children play and learn to play again themselves they could get into shape easily and their kids would love it. Children love to play with their parents. To often parents grow up and get bogged down with the chores of everyday life that we forget to play.

Take your kids to the playground or park, but don't sit on the bench and watch, get involved. Run with your kids to the swings, get on a swing and swing with them. Pay attention to you body while on the swing. The motion you make with your legs to keep the swing going. Its simple its fun and yet it works your legs at the same time. Hold your stomach muscles in and you will feel the abs working as you swing. Swinging is relaxing and fun yet it also works some major muscle groups.

The swings are just one example of how you can stay fit while playing on the playground with your kids. I used to love to shoot hoops with my son when he was young. He was to small to make the basket very often and I wasn't very good. We had an excellent time trying and then chasing the ball. Whoever missed had to run and get the ball.

Anytime I took my son to the playground and played with him, I always felt like I had just completed an amazing workout. You can even throw in some strength building moves while at the playground. If your child is going down the slide you can stand by the slide to watch and get some lunges in while they are sliding. Or try your hand at the monkey bars. The monkey bars definitely give your muscles a good workout.

Children who play instead of vegging on the couch watching TV or playing video games are usually more healthy and in better physical shape. The same goes for parents, we are grown but or bodies still need to move and the playground is an excellent place to get our bodies moving and have an excellent workout without even realizing we are working out.

So get out of the house, go the the playground or the park with your child, forget about the chores for awhile and get your workout with your child and enjoy some fun, free, quality time. Your body will thank you and so will your child.

Learn more about this author, Carolina Dream Coy.
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