If you’ve got kids, of course you want to make sure they grow up fit and healthy. But you also know it’s hard to juggle work, family, and physical activity.  We’re here to help!

With all the great weather that we annual enjoy in and around the Cantara Apartments in El Paso,  we thought we’d share a few tips to keep us healthy inside and out of our community this spring and throughout the balance of 2017.

Here’s #1: “Unplug and Plug-in to the Great Outdoors”.  There’s no better way to set a healthy example than to lead the pack.  Gather the whole family and get outside for fresh air and a good old fashioned hike or bike around the block, unplugged.
 
Tip #2 “Plan Outdoor Activities” This one could not come at a better time!  The Humane Society of El Paso is seeking volunteers to walk their dogs or take their dogs on your own field trips.  Take a look at this link and then plan some special time with your family to enjoy a short walk around the block or weekend with a new furry friend.
 
Tip #3:  Take a Fitness Class Together  There are more gyms and parks and recreation programs that we have room for on this blog so click on this link to check out all the options that await you and your kids for keeping fit this spring.   If your little ones are too little to participate, a beautiful walk in the spring with a stroller by your side is always a good workout as well.

Tip #4:  Set Up A “Skinny Gym”  
Make a bad weather day good with a family fun workout inside your apartment in ElPaso.  You don’t need much to have all the equipment stored in a small spot to get big results.  Here’s a quick list of some of the fitness items we keep around when the outdoors keeps us in:

• Resistance bands
• Dumbbells
• A yoga mat
• A jump rope  
• Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii  

Tip #5   Turn Indoor Chores into Indoor Fun!
No one every likes to do chores by the themselves so we’re recommending a few tips to turn everyday tasks into a game you can all do together.   We like to ask our kids what music they want to hear when doing the dishes or sorting laundry.  Before you know it, you may find all of you singing and dancing around the house while tidying up.

Tip #6 Plan Healthy Meals, Together 
Springtime is a great time to familiarize your family with all the fabulous Farmer’s Markets that are popping up this time of the year in and around El Paso.  Plan an outing every week and then sit down and plan your weekly meals.  When you have healthy food in the fridge, it’s a lot easier to enjoy your family feasts with fresh goods from our local farms.  For a complete list of El Paso Farmers Markets, click here, and happy, healthy shopping!

Tip #7 Empower Your Kids to Be the Food Police!
There’s something to be said about giving your children the opportunity to police what you eat, and what they consume as well.   Have a chat about ‘smart-eating’ habits, then take a tour through your cupboards and see how well your house is stocked for  the upcoming spring and summer months.

Tip #8 Bring Back the Bedtime Stories
With all the noise and technology that wraps around our family’s everyday life, we try our best to shut it all down just after the sun sets.  Take time to find some quiet time and bring back the tradition of curling up and reading a good book or sharing a bedtime story every night.

 Sleep tight!