Physical Fun

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Physical activity has become a family affair in the Daley-Harris household. Long-distance runner Shannon Daley-Harris, her husband, Sam, and their children, Micah, 5, and Sophie, 2, go for three-mile runs at least once a week.

The children aren't exactly running: Sophie is in a green jogger stroller, and Micah rides a red Schwinn bicycle.

"It's a nice way to get exercise and still not sacrifice precious family time," says Mrs. Daley-Harris, who lives in Southeast.

Local doctors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say children whose parents and siblings are physically active are more likely to be in and remain in good physical shape. What better time to start than Jan. 1?

Being active doesn't mean having to run marathons together, which wouldn't be appropriate for a child anyway, but rather incorporating some fun physical activity, daily if possible, into the schedule, says Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, an Annapolis internist.

"Do something that's fun because only if it's fun will you and the children continue doing it," Dr. Teitelbaum says. "I go to the playground with my grandbabies for a couple of hours, and I get a better workout than I would at the gym."

Activities that he and local fitness professionals recommend include taking walks (at the mall if the weather is bad), hiking, going to the playground, swimming, basketball, ice- or roller-skating, in-line skating, soccer, cross-country skiing, biking, rowing, dancing, skipping and jumping rope.

When it comes to duration and age limits for physical activities, Dr. Teitelbaum says he's reluctant to give guidelines because it may put too much time pressure on families and ultimately take the fun out of the activity.

"Do 10 minutes if that's all you can fit it. But I guess if you absolutely have to have a number, I would say 30 to 45 minutes a day," he says. "And you're never too young to get started."

Rose Kennedy, co-author of "The Family Fitness Fun Book: Good, Healthy Fun for the Whole Family," is well-acquainted with the concept of keeping the "fun" in fitness. The book, which is expected to arrive in stores in early 2004, provides hundreds of ideas for physical activities and games that involve the entire family.