Introduction
Gaining stamina, increased strength and improved coordination are just a few of the ways that incorporating fitness into your child's life can help them grow. As a parent, you understand how important it is to be healthy and active. But have you ever wondered how much time is needed for your child to see results from their fitness efforts? It's an important question with no simple answer due to each individual's unique physical attributes. In this blog post, we'll explore what parents need to know about developing health habits in children, including tips on setting realistic goals according to age and body type so that young athletes—and more sedentary kids alike—can get ahead of the game when it comes to improving their overall wellbeing.
Benefits of Exercise in Children – Why Fitness is Important
Fitness has tremendous benefits for children and can help them grow into healthier and more active adults. Exercise not only helps minimize health risks associated with childhood obesity, it also boosts confidence and self-esteem levels amongst youth. Improved focus and increased physical activity can positively impact a child’s grades, making exercise a powerful tool for academic success. Physical activity also helps release endorphins in the body which can lead to better mental health, improved sleep, reduced stress, and greater overall well-being. When it comes to seeing results from exercising regularly, this can vary depending on age and current level of physical fitness; typically it may take anywhere from six weeks to three months to start noticing changes. With dedication and commitment though you should see improvements in your child’s overall fitness level within that timeframe!
Establishing a Routine – How to Get Your Child Moving
Establishing a routine to get your child moving is an important part of encouraging fitness, health, and well-being. Developing a schedule can help them make the commitment they need to see measurable results in both physical and mental development. You can start by setting achievable goals each week or month, like going outside for 15 minutes of active play each day. Chart these goals on a wall calendar, set reminders using a calendar app, or turn everyday activities into enjoyable ways to exercise together - like walking the dog or biking together as a family. With regular physical activity and healthy eating habits, you should start to observe progress with your child's physical fitness in just several weeks! Here are more ideas on how to get the whole family into an exercise routine.
Monitoring Progress – Tracking Your Child’s Progress
A primary factor to consider when monitoring progress for your child's fitness goals is time. It will take a few months or even years to see any significant results from working out and following other healthy habits. But that should not be disheartening! Instead, use it as an inspiration to stay motivated and keep track of your child's progress along the way. Be sure to ask them regularly how they are feeling, what kind of exercises they're doing, and if they need any tips as they advance. This will help them feel supported throughout their journey and serve as regular milestones that you two can both celebrate. With diligence and perseverance, your child will be on the road to achieving measurable physical improvement, increased confidence in themselves, strength in body and mind –– all while having the journey of a lifetime!
Setting Goals & Expectations - Reasonable Timeframes for Results
Setting a reasonable timeline for fitness results for your child is essential in order to keep them motivated, on track, and engaged in the process. Although it may vary depending on other factors like age, health and physical abilities of your child, it is important to be realistic with the amount of time it will take to see tangible results—and isn't just dependent on the amount of energy and effort they are putting into their new fitness routine. Children can improve strength by 30% to 50% after just 8 to 12 weeks of a well-designed strength training program. Youth need to continue to train at least 2 times per week to maintain strength. Be mindful that expecting overnight success can lead to feelings of frustration, so strive to create achievable goals and expectations that motivate your child while helping them recognize their strengths, hard work and growth along their journey.
Healthy Habits for Long-Term Success - Encouraging Kids to Stay Motivated
As a parent, it can be difficult to encourage physical fitness among children. To ensure long-term success, it's important to help them establish healthy habits that not only increase physical activity, but also provide other benefits such as improved confidence and emotional wellbeing. Establishing regular exercise routines helps develop motivation and dedication that’s necessary for seeing fitness results in the future. Set goals, both short-term and long-term, with your children and track their progress over time. This will give them the feeling of accomplishment when they reach each goal, no matter how big or small. With the right approach and persistence, you can expect to start seeing positive results within 6-8 weeks after starting a new fitness program. Building these habits early on will provide your child with lifelong tools for success. Here are more ways to keep your kids motivated.
Teaching Kids the Value of Fitness - Making Exercise Fun and Enjoyable
Parents want their kids to be active and lead healthy lifestyles, but it can be difficult to make exercise exciting for them. We've all heard stories of kids who would rather stay inside playing video games than go outside and get some fresh air. That's why teaching kids the value of fitness is so important – so they understand that a little bit of sweat each day can result in big benefits over time. With the right approach, fitness can become enjoyable and even fun. Whether it's outdoor activities like running, biking, or climbing trees, or setting up indoors with at-home workouts and dance moves to their favorite songs - having structure and rewarding them for meeting goals along the way - children will be motivated to keep reaching for those physical milestone successes. On average, there should be noticeable results within 8-10 weeks depending on commitment level and age. Click here to learn more on teaching kids the value of fitness.
Conclusion
Ultimately, teaching children the importance of exercise and healthy habits is essential for their future wellbeing. Pediatric care providers can help parents monitor progress and provide guidance in establishing a regular routine and encouraging healthy habits for long-term success. Regular exercise has multiple benefits for kids—it strengthens their muscles, improves cognition, and boosts self-confidence. Parents should note that results don’t come overnight and it’s important to establish realistic and achievable goals. With dedication, patience, consistency, and determination both the parent and child will see positive fitness results over time. Every kid has the power to become fit but they may need some motivation to stay active. At YFN Academy, we provide an online resource hub with helpful tips, and educational resources. We are committed to helping parents learn more about health & fitness for their kids so they can grow up feeling positive about themselves both emotionally and physically. Join us today!
Sources:
Dahab, Katherine S and McCambridge, Teri M. "Strength Training in Children and Adolescents." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2009 May, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445252/#:~:text=Children%20can%20improve%20strength%20by,per%20week%20to%20maintain%20strength.
Pekmezi, Dori. "Lazy Days of Summer: How to Keep Children Active All Year Long." Society of Behavioral Medicine, 14 Jul. 2018, https://www.sbm.org/healthy-living/lazy-days-of-summer-how-to-keep-children-active-all-year-long?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2v-gBhC1ARIsAOQdKY0X8qCpCInZzpklYF6KiLayqylwHiDVJxfLpQqHPHktWCXsxJrRaesaAk1vEALw_wcB.
Steve. “How to Exercise With Your Kids – Work Out as a Family.” Nerd Fitness, 15 Jun. 2022, https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/how-to-exercise-with-your-kids-work-out-as-a-family/.
“Teaching Kids the Importance of Fitness.” All My Children Daycare, 16 Apr. 2015, https://allmychildrendaycare.com/teaching-kids-the-importance-of-fitness/.
