Fitness in the Teen Years
Parents of teenagers and pre-teens already have their plates full, trying to keep their children healthy, safe and on track academically. Now, more than ever, though, parents need to add fitness to the mix, as evidence continues to show that exercise during adolescence can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other medical problems later in life.
While some teens participate in after-school sports, many more remain sedentary and disinterested in physical fitness. Nearly half of American teens get no regular vigorous exercise. Only 19% of all high school students participate in daily PE classes. Inactivity is more common among females than males. It's no secret that participation in sports and exercise suffers a sharp decline as teens progress through high school.
It's recommended that teens get at least one hour of physical activity every day. Given the opportunity, teens can reap health benefits from almost any activity they enjoy-skateboarding, spinning, yoga, swimming, weight training, dancing, walking, playing catch with a Frisbee. All are great ways to burn calories and increase fitness levels.
Motivating Teens To Be Active
Be a role model
Be active together by finding ways to participate in sports and exercise with your teens. Instead of family TV time, build that hour as family exercise time. Start enjoying something healthy together when they're pre-teens or younger.
Make activity part of a lifestyle
In their everyday routines, teens might consider walking to school, volunteering to do chores for others in need, bicycling, or finding an active part-time job. They can take be camp counselors, babysitters, assistant coaches for young sports teams, or volunteers in a community activity.
Turn off the computer/TV and get moving
Many teens spend more than 6 hours a day with some form of media, including watching TV, listening to music, surfing online, and playing video games. So it's not surprising that teens can't seem to find time to exercise.
Allow teens to participate in activity selection
Try to give teens control over how they decide to be physically active. Teens are defining themselves as individuals and want to make their own decisions, so they're reluctant to do yet another thing they're told to do. It helps to emphasize that the activity they choose isn't as important as just doing something physically active on a regular basis.
Fitness Diva at Foothill Technology High School
Dr. Vanessa White volunteers one day/month at FTHS to teach fitness classes to the students. Her goal is to present these teens with activities to which they might not otherwise be exposed to.  Students have learned cardiokickboxing, strength/resistance endurance training and yoga (see photos). The true mark of success is when students begin making requests. For her final visit of the semester, Dr. White will bring back back the excitement, energy and nonstop fun of cardiokickboxing - a student favorite.
If you and your teenager are looking for quality time and a great  opportunity to get fit together, consider Fitness Diva group classes as a way to inspire each other to better fitness. Fitness Diva activities are designed to assist you and your teen to improve aerobic and strength levels, decrease body fat, and improve overall health - all while having fun! Classes are for all ages and all fitness levels (drop-ins are welcome).
Win a package of 10 classes FREE!
Get in shape NOW for the holidays!
Email Dr. White at vanessa@1fitnessdiva.com and type "Ventura Parent Drawing" in the subject line. Please type your name, email, and phone number in the message area. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a package of 10 free classes with Fitness Diva (valued at $50). The drawing will be held on Friday, January 8th. The winner will be notified by 5 PM (winner's name will be posted on the website too). Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary.
Get ready • Get excited • Get to class
FITNESS DIVA • 1fitnessdiva.com
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