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Original poster

how do you get older dc to exercise?

11 replies

stillpinching · 17/03/2019 21:32

Ds is 12 and I am starting to worry that he is not getting enough exercise and that this may be impacting on his weight.

When he left primary in the summer they did the weight and measuring thing and he was on the 7th centile so there obviously wasn't a problem then but I feel like there is a bit of excess on him now and he outgrew a pair of trousers the other week because they were too tight - that has never really happened before as they'd always get too short first (he's about 5 '2 ).

He's in a cricket team, but I don't think that's all that great for exercise and is only part of the year. He has a huge appetite and seems to eat for the sake of it sometimes. He walks to school (15-20 minutes) and quite likes his bike, but doesn't really go on it that much. He is less and less keen to come on days out / walks etc, though we do usually get out at some point at the weekends. He's not yet out and about with friends much. I also feel he has quite a bit of pent up energy sometimes and he gets really silly, bombing around the house/jumping on his little brother etc, but when I suggest going out it's always no - not surprising when others around him don't seem to be out a lot either.

I don't know I just feel like a lot of the things he used to do that would count as exercise (playgrounds/cycling scootering with family) he has outgrown and nothing has really taken the place of it.

I obviously haven't mentioned my concern to him at all but have asked if he would like to start something new in terms of sport, to which he has replied emphatically no. What do others do?

OP posts:

Beechview · 17/03/2019 21:43

Why don’t you speak about it to him?
I’m always telling my kids that they need to get regular exercise and eat mostly healthy food to stay healthy.
Mine will come for walks, go swimming and bike rides because they know they need to be active and also, I insist they do even if they don’t feel like it and they always admit that they’re glad they got out afterwards.

How about Park Run? They do junior ones on Sundays.

MaryBoBary · 17/03/2019 21:54

He walks to and from school every day, is part of a cricket club and presumably has PE lessons once or twice a week at school? I’d say leave the poor boy alone. He may be about to have a growth spurt. Hence the increased appetite. Don’t start discussing his weight with him r making any kind of issue about it. If he’s not overweight then there’s nothing to worry about.

Nnnnnineteen · 17/03/2019 22:07

Got mine to do c 25k with me (on her bike) as I needed company and motivation. She laps me a million times over but is v encouraging. She needed the exercise, but telling her she needed to support me rather than she needs to move more really helped.

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Exercise & fitness

Leeds2 · 17/03/2019 22:15

He seems like he does quite a lot to me already!

But, get him to walk the dog if you have one. Or offer to walk dogs of any neighbours who might otherwise struggle.

Park Run is a great idea. Would he do it if you did too, and you asked him to do it for company?

Swimming. Maybe those inflatable sessions that are often run at the weekend. Get him to ask a friend, and you take them there.

AtSea1979 · 17/03/2019 22:20

My DS is a skinny rake but I popped on here because recently there has been a huge decrease in the amount he wants to do. He’s 13 and doesn’t want to go out on his bike, go swimming, walks are a nag, park run not a chance, youth centre gym he went twice, used to do taekwondo and got to red belt but won’t go now. He just wants to sit in front of a screen despite screens only being allowed for an hour on a Saturday.

Notcontent · 17/03/2019 22:21

I think there are two separate issues here:

Food - you need to make sure he is not eating junk (so don’t have junk at home) and eating when hungry (not just because he is bored)

Exercise - I think this is about establishing habits. Someone suggested park run - this is fabulous and at 12 he can do the adult one, which is 5 km. could you do it with him?

SmarmyMrMime · 17/03/2019 22:34

Junior parkrun is 2k and up to 14 yrs.
Parkrun is 5k. Any age can run but 11+ are able to run at their own pace whereas u11s need to be within arm's reach of an adult as the level of supervision is much less.

Original poster

stillpinching · 17/03/2019 22:35

Thank you for the replies.

I think I am probably part of the problem as I don't do any exercise either, so what do I expect? I'm not sedentary - we go for walks and I'm cleaning etc all weekend, but I'm certainly not fit and don't really do a lot.

I would love to do a park run but doubt I'd make it in terms of running and I suppose it would embarrass ds to be doing it with me (especially if I collapsed halfway...)

OP posts:

Beechview · 17/03/2019 22:48

Get ds to help you with all the cleaning then do couch to 5k together in a park somewhere?

ChameleonCircuit · 18/03/2019 21:53

You don't have t run at parkrun. You can walk if you need/want to.

kayakingmum · 18/03/2019 22:04

I think diet is probably more of the issue than excercise.
He doesn't sound like the sedentary type, but likes to be busy - even if that means eating when bored. I don't know what the answer is, but not having 'bad' food in the house may be counterproductive as it could become more desirable, making him more determined for him to get his hands on chocolate or whatever.

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