If your weight-loss plan isn't fun, you are less likely to stick to it. If possible, include friends and family in your activities. Having others around provides a support structure. Also, you'll be less likely to cancel a workout session if others are counting on you. With an entertaining fitness regimen, not only will you get the physical activity you need to lose weight, but you'll also get to spend time with those closest to you.
Intensify a Board Game
A fun fitness program should stimulate your mind while it exercises your body. If your family has a favorite board game, attach physical-fitness activities to the reward system of the game. For example, if you're playing checkers, set up a challenge to do 10 jumping jacks for every piece jumped. Even if you lose the game, you will get some exercise.
Fitness Video Games
Fitness video games are a good way to involve children in weight-loss activities. Nearly every video-game console has games and features that incorporate physical activity. Some consoles even mirror your body movements with the characters on the screen. Instead of hand-held controllers, these video-game consoles use motion detectors to control game movements. So if you find it difficult to pull your kids away from the television, add some fitness video games to their collection. Before you know it, your kids will be exercising and losing weight without you having to force them.
Play a Team Sport
If you're looking for some intense exercise, try a competitive sport. Athletes burn many calories during a vigorous game of soccer, football, basketball or baseball. Join an amateur league if you are looking for some serious competition. For something a little more low-key, rally your friends and family together for a physical-activity day. Softball, kickball and other games provide a chance for everybody to burn some calories.
Make a Friendly Bet
Sometimes a challenge is all you need to kick your weight-loss program into high gear. For example, come up with a wager against friends who also want to lose weight. Choose a deadline that gives you all a reasonable amount of time to lose weight. The person who loses the most weight by the deadline wins. For added incentive, award a prize to the winner.
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