By Tom Wilson

When I was a kid, my dad and I took on my two brothers in basketball every Sunday after church. The losing team had to do the lunch dishes to give Mom a break. Now those were some intense, competitive workouts, but we had a blast doing it!

You always knew what season it was around our house because we were outside doing something active, shooting hoops, throwing the football around or playing catch during baseball season. My sister still has a lump on her leg to this day from playing football with the boys! Everyone got into the action.

I look back on that and realize how fortunate I was that my parents set a great example of not only spending quality time together as a family, but incorporated exercise at the same time. As I was writing this, I stopped to call my parents and thank them for the example they set. They said there was no need to thank them and I quote, “We had as much fun as you kids!” And that’s the way it should today, families spending quality active time together and having fun doing it.

When it comes to your health, what kind of message are you sending to those around you? Are you steering your kids in the right direction so they don’t suffer all the adverse effects of poor health? When you neglect your health, you’re also setting the stage for your children to suffer as well. Studies show that 60% of overweight parents also have overweight children. The Bible tells us we are to live our lives so as to set a good example to those around us.

“But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.”
Titus 2:1 (New Living Translation)

So start leading by example, not only spiritually, but physically as well. The best way to get the whole family on track is to get the whole family working out together. Turn off the television, put down the video game controls and lace up the cross-trainers. It’s time for family fitness to make a comeback!

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