Exercise Videos for Kids for Fun and Fitness

Exercise videos for kids provide a fun way to put a bit of bounce back into your childs day because many kids these days don't get enough activity like we did as kids. Do you remember staying out all day long running and playing, using your imagination to make up fun games and never thinking you were getting "exercise"? I sure do, but with the ease of technology at our children's fingertips (iPads, iPods, video games, TV, texting you get my drift) it is all too easy to let our children lose that important imaginative play time.

Fortunately that same technology can help your child get the exercise he needs - these following exercise DVDs for kids provide a fun and energetic way for your child to get healthy whether she needs to lose weight or just maintain a great fitness level because health and fitness for kids is just as important as it is for us old farts.

Throw in a bit of Hip Hop Moves and You have one Fun Exercise vid for kids

You may have heard about Shaun T if you like a "little" workout now and then. Shaun is a physical trainer well known for his work with Beachbody on the Insanity series of workouts (think P90X meets the Energizer bunny). Shaun T's other big hit was Hip Hop Abs back in 2007 which was the top selling fitness video that year. Before making his splash in the fitness world Shaun had a passion for dancing and choreography (he even worked with Mariah Carey back in the day). You can really see his passion for fitness and dance in his two fitness videos for kids as well.

Featured here is his second exercise DVD for kids age 7 and up (but from what I've seen younger kids and even us big kids have fun with the Fit Kids Club workout). The video includes two 20 minute exercise routines that are a perfect length for your kids because they are short enough to hold their attention yet long enough to give a fun yet vigorous workout.

A number of Interesting studies have shown a link between Vitamin D and increased weight in children and adults

Did You Know that some studies have shown a link between low levels of Vitamin D and obesity in children and adults? Low levels of vitamin D are often seen in those that are overweight. This could be from a number of factors but when the hypothalamus (a small section of the brain that regulates hormonal functions) senses the body is low in vitamin D it increases the body's weight set point. Not only that but the hypothalamus will also release hunger stimulating hormones.

It has also been shown that Vitamin D may prevent the growth and development of fat cells. A 12-week study published in Nutrition Journal discovered that increasing your vitamin D levels resulted in a decrease in fat mass. Another study found that supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D led to an increase in belly fat loss.

The good news is that vitamin D is the only vitamin our bodies can make for ourselves through exposure to the sun. The catch though is that unless you live in a sunny region year round the production of vitamin D is limited.

According to the National Institute of Health most Americans should be supplementing with daily doses of vitamin D. The recommended dose for Birth to 12 Months is 400IU daily, for 1 to 70 years is 600IU, and over 71 years is 800IU daily. From what I have read on the subject a liquid form of vitamin D is better utilized by the body (what is called bio-available). While vitamin D drops are often associated with infants, in fact it is the perfect form for children that can't or won't take a capsule as well as for us crotchety old folks that don't want to take anymore pills. This brand of vitamin D drops comes in the easy to use liquid form and mentions more about the bio-availability in the description. From the research I've done this seems to be one of the best vitamin d supplements because it does not have the added ingredients and preservatives that some others have.

There are actually quite a few free workout videos for kids as well if you look on over at YouTube - these are perfect for when you have a "smart" TV (vs the dumb one that makes me eat ice cream every time I turn it on) that allows you to play the YouTube app. The quality of the video isn't always that great but if you are looking for a more affordable option these work just fine. Plus they add a lot of diversity to your kids workout because there are many to choose from.

Michelle Obama gets some help from good 'ol Big Bird to promote the Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. It is the third anniversary of the Let's Move campaign and Big Bird gets to visit the White House (lucky duck, err, chicken?) to show off some moves and talk about good nutrition.

It is said thanks to Let's Move kids now have more chances to engage in physical activity in their community. Food in schools is improving (our daughter's school even has a fresh fruit and vegetable bar), and Let's Move is improving access to healthy, affordable food right at a community level. I just heard on the radio today that the obesity rate has reached a plateau - which means hopefully soon it will start to decline. It is good to see a push around the nation to enjoy a healthier more active lifestyle.

Sure you can plop your kid in front of the TV, stick in a fitness video and hope they follow along, but the best fitness activities for kids need a little more creativity and fun to make your children want to keep at it.

Some of the best fitness activities for kids are sports like soccer, football, swimming, hockey, basketball and volleyball just to name a few. (sorry if I left out your favorite) But what if your children just aren't that into sports?

I grew up playing all sorts of organized sports, so it was quite the surprise when my children come along and say they aren't much interested in sports like I was (at least so far, they are still pretty young). So what are you to do if your children aren't too keen on sports? How do you make physical fitness fun for kids?

Here are 3 1/2 ideas you can try to get your kids more active - why 3 and a half, and how do you have half an idea? Well keep reading and I might just tell you...

1. Tag: Let's start with tag since tag is an oldie but goodie because it is so versatile. What kind of tag games did you play as a kid? Do you remember TV tag, Freeze tag, Flashlight tag, Duck Duck Grey Duck (or Goose) or Kick the Can? There are so many variations of tag there is even a wiki article on it - I've never heard of Sardines, have you? The problem with tag through is that is isn't much fun when playing by yourself.. even with two people it gets old fast. So what are you to do if you don't have a gaggle of kids to play your duck duck grey duck? Well how about this...
2. Obstacle Courses: This fun creative fitness idea can help make exercise fun for you and your kids - kids have a blast watching you struggle through the course as well, and laughter is the best medicine after all. You can set up an obstacle course in your own yard with objects you have at home. Add a jump rope station, hula hoops, ball juggling, hopscotch whatever your healthy heart desires - get creative and have fun with it. Or, if you don't have a yard you can always go to the park and make up an obstacle course through the playground equipment.
3. Dancing: Tag and Obstacle courses are great, but what if you need an indoor exercise activity when it is raining or in the middle of a snowstorm? Dancing games are great for a quick 10-20 minute fitness activity that also improves balance, coordination and flexibility. The beauty of dancing is that it can be as simple as putting on your favorite music and shaking your bootie, or you can make up some dance moves and have your child try to copy them - just be prepared when they throw some silly moves back at you to copy... Have fun with different styles of music and moves and you have a great homemade fitness video in the making.

   3 1/2 Your Turn: Drum roll please.... My half an idea is to use your ideas. Making exercise fun for kids is easy if you put your mind to it - even asking your child what they do at school during recess or gym class can inspire some great ideas to try at home. The important part about introducing exercise to kids is all about making it interesting especially if you have children that would rather sit in front of the TV with a bag of chips (hey I did it as a kid too) than go outside and run around or ride bikes. Good luck, and if you have more suggestions please leave a comment below - I may even have to make it 5 1/2 Fun Fitness Activities for Kids...

Sugar is a tricky, sneaky, substance that most people don't give much thought to unless health problems come up. If your child seems to crave sweets more than you think is healthy there may be a biological reason.

Sugar alters brain chemistry and increases your levels of serotonin and endorphins which are mood lifting chemicals.This quick rush of energy and mood elevating feelings is very addictive even if we do not directly associate these feelings with sweet foods.

When we eat sugar containing foods, insulin is released and that binds with amino acids in the body. These insulin laced amino acids course through the muscles. The trouble is that tryptophan, which is a small amino acid (known for the turkey sleep effect), now has little competition from other amino acids traveling to the brain.

Tryptophan is used by the brain to make serotonin, thus the rush of serotonin through the body due to sugar. We all want more energy but sadly the sugar rush does not last. What we are left with is a crash in serotonin levels (the turkey crash) which can cause lethargy and depression if the body's serotonin levels get out of whack.

But how do you stop craving sugar, or help your children give up the need to pick sugary foods first? A few simple ideas on how to stop craving sweets can be found in this article. But it all comes down to changing the way we think about sugar - it isn't as harmless and and benign as it would like us to think.