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Teen Fitness
It’s been over an hour now, and your teenage daughter is still chatting on the phone lying in a supine position on that ever so comfortable divan. As you pass by her room, you think to yourself, “I’ll allow her a few more minutes; after all she did get a perfect report card!” Unfortunately being Indian parents, we have much more to be concerned about when it comes to our teenage daughters than just good grades. Besides the usual worries of dating, staying out late, partying, etc. lack of fitness should also be of major concern. It has been reported that around adolescence, girls begin to worry about their weight and self image issues develop. While most parents encourage teenage boys to participate in sports and athletic activities, they neglect to push their daughters to do the same. This sadly results in our teenage girls developing excessive abdominal girth and being overweight which in adulthood puts them at a higher risk for developing obesity related diseases.
Workouts for teens: What is the appropriate workout for a teenage girl? To begin with, any type of sports activity is perfect. But remember to be consistent. An activity that is begun and then discontinued in a couple of weeks is not going to be effective. Consistent activities such as basketball, swimming, track, jogging, and soccer are all ideal choices. Organized sports activities require your child to be in good shape and that is a bonus. Be supportive and encourage your daughter to participate in any of these activities that last for the duration of their school year or semester.
Aerobics classes are an effective way to get in shape for girls and are also fun. Encourage your daughter to take a friend with her or better yet, you accompany her. Many gyms are now lowering their age limit and offering family memberships. In spite of this, most parents and teens still remain skeptical about weight training and its benefits.
But as of interest, The American Council on Exercise states, “There are a number of common myths about youth strength training that continue to cause concern among parents and educators. Two of the most common misconceptions are that strength training may stunt the growth of children and that children should not lift weights until they are 12 years old. There is simply no evidence to support either of these statements. In fact, all of the major fitness and medical organizations in the U.S. recommend strength training for youth, assuming that basic guidelines are adhered to and that appropriate leadership is present. And about the question of age, children can begin to train with weights as soon as they are able to accept and follow directions—usually around the age of seven or eight.”
Strength training exercises such as pushups, crunches, squats, and lunges are excellent exercises for teenage girls and should be encouraged.
Your role as a parent: As a parent, emphasize the benefits of fitness and remember to be a good role model. After all, if you don’t exercise, you cannot expect your teenage girl to be in good shape. Practice what you preach. Don’t complain about having to exercise. Show them that physical activity can be fun and let them follow your example. Keep in mind that most adolescent girls are worrying about their weight. Your daughter could be one of them. Know that physical fitness at an early age not only increases self esteem, but it also teaches your teenage daughter to appreciate her body and above all to value good health.
Aarti Patel has a B.Sc. in Health Information Administration. She is also certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal and Group Fitness Instructor and a Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant. She is the owner of Aarti Fitness – a brand new personal training studio soon to open in Chambee, GA. Please visit www.aartifitness.com for more information.
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