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Finding time to exercise doesn't have to be a difficult task. I always get my kids exercising with me. I believe that what people fail to realize is that exercising doesn't mean you have to go to the gym, or run around the block a few times. Exercising is getting your heart racing, and your blood pumping.

My children are with me when we exercise. We walk a lot...to the store, to school, to the park. We play outside, doing sport activities, playing tag, or working in the garden.

We dance in the livingroom, with the music blasted, each of us pretending to be a rock star or dancer... yes, we look like fools, but we're having fun, and we're staying in shape.

Housework is another great way to burn off calories... and you don't even realize it. Simply vaccuuming, or running up and down the stairs while you're having laundry day is enough to burn off a couple hundred calories.

I have two boys, who are both keen 'superhero' lovers. They both want to be 'superheros' when they grow up, and we have incorporated 'superhero' training into our daily routine. They run obstacle courses in the back yard, practice their balance with pillows on their heads, and good behaviour. Showing them the different activities, assigned to each day, is another way that I get my exercise.

After I had my daughter I carried the baby weight around with me, not so proudly. I bought exercise tapes, and was amused, when my boys wanted to join in, with the routines, trying their hardest at jumping jacks and keeping up with the woman on the screen (I struggled as much as them!)

Everyone exercises every day, sometimes without their own knowledge. If you can't make it to the gym, or run around the block, just play with your kids. You're killing two birds with one stone.

Learn more about this author, Catherine Graham.
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