My 13 years old doesn't want to exercise regularly, what should I do?

Stefanie - posted on 09/05/2009

Does he/she have an interest in martial arts, gymnastics, base/softball, etc? Sign them up for one they like.

Stina - posted on 09/05/2009

When I was 13, I lived on my bike. Seriously. Every day I'd come home from school and would rather get out on my bike than stay inside another moment. Of course, we also lived in a neighborhood surrounded by a field/forest so I could go biking back in there among the trails. It wasn't excercise to me but somthing I loved.



Find a physical activity she enjoys doing. If she's not active already, it may mean the whole family needs to get out and do it too. Ultimate frisbee, soccer, hiking, swimming... Try a lot of different things and encourage her to choose a sport to get involved with at school.

Jocelyn - posted on 09/05/2009

enroll him (her?) in a class of some sort, like soccer, or dance, or...fencing lol. something fun.
i didn't want to exercise when i was 13 either lol, but i was in a few dance classes, and that never seemed like "exercising"

DONA - posted on 09/05/2009

Shut off the tv. Go for a walk to the park and take her bike/scooter/ball. Children learn from their parents. Active participation on your part will set an example.

Guylaine - posted on 09/05/2009

get him in sports..like quadding, or karate, or make a deal for him/her to do 10 min. of Wii fit with a recompense after one month or so...

Shelly - posted on 09/05/2009

Make it fun! Try a group sport like cheerleading or soccer or dance or football. I don't know if you're preventing or if he/he is already on the heavy side. The other key is to do it with him/her. Take family bike rides, go for a walk, go to the zoo for the day, just don't say 'lets go exercise'! =) Take away easy access to video games, computer, cell phones, things like that and/or set paramaters in which they can be used. As long as he/she is entertained and content to stay inside, there's no getting him/her out.

Lorraine - posted on 09/05/2009

well you can trick them into it! get a wii! it has great games that promote moving around. it will definitely have your whole family up and playing. they have wii resort and there is a lot of games. i personally have wii sports (tennis, bowling, boxing, and baseball), wii fit ( running, yoga, aerobics, balance games), raving rabbids ( very hilarious and a lot og games with movement). after a while this will give your kid some energy to get out some more. my hubby played the games and all of a sudden he wanted to get out to do the real thing. hope that works.

Jennifer - posted on 09/05/2009

Just send him/her outside. Let the kid figure out what to do. It's not bad to let them be bored. It won't take long for them to start playing, especially if there's other kids.



Or, get involved. A game of football, soccer, basketball, anything. You'll benefit too. But don't nag. It won't work and only cause your child to drag even more.