¡Anímense!

Cristina Rivera MS, RD, CSSD, CDN

Registered Dietitian, President of Nutrition In Motion PC and a New York State certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN)

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¡Anímense!

05/22/2014 03:16PM | 8123 views

The health benefits of physical activity are countless, especially in the Hispanic community, where the risk of becoming obese or developing diabetes is almost doubled.

Latinos who engage in physical activity can lower their risk of dementia, stroke, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For kids, staying active is beneficial for maintaining a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with obesity later in life. Lastly, physical activity has been shown to improve mood, self esteem and even increase energy levels. This month, get creative - think of ways to get the whole family or neighborhood involved in physical fitness. Being that our culture is formed and tied so tightly around traditions, why not take this month to start some new ones that will keep everyone healthy for generations to come? Just remember the key to building your stamina and keeping your body going is to stay hydrated. All beverages hydrate, including those with caffeine like teas, sodas and sports drinks, so be sure to keep your favorite nearby throughout the day.

Get Involved In Sports:

With the World Cup approaching next month, what better way to emulate your favorite athlete than to organize your own sports tournament? Gather some friends, family members or neighbors to form teams. Scout out a local park or school where you can hold weekly games. No family member is too young or old to kick around a soccer ball or toss a baseball!

Don’t want to start a team from scratch? See if your local school, church or community has any sports teams that you can join recreationally. Find a sport that you enjoy or would like to learn how to play - doing it for fun rather than competition can make it more enjoyable.

Spend More Time Outdoors:

Whether you enjoy walking, bike riding, jogging or simply playing outside - summer is the season for being outside. Organize a family walk each night after dinner, or recruit a group of neighbors, co-workers or friends to get together and walk each day after work or school.

On nice days rely less on public transportation or cars to get around. Try walking, rollerblading or bike riding to do your errands; if possible, walk to and from work or school.

With the kick off of BBQ season approaching, organize outdoor games to play at family or community functions. Make obstacle courses, hold relay races or simply toss a frisbee - these activities are great for including the entire family.

Make Time Spent Indoors Count:

If it’s a rainy day or you simply are not able to get outside, make the time you spend indoors count. Turn up the radio and salsa dance to your favorite songs; see which family member has the best moves – and don’t be surprised if it is abuelita!

If you are planning to watch TV, try marching in place or getting up to stretch during commercial breaks. Make a game of it – see who can do the most jumping jacks before the program returns. If you find yourself swamped with homework or other sedentary chores, schedule in activity breaks. Getting up to move is not only good for your heart but also increases blood flow to your brain, which will help accomplish the task at hand.