Q: There’s nothing to do at home but watch TV and play video games. Will this make me gain weight?

Answer:

A person can gain weight if he or she isn’t active most days. Anytime you move your body you are being active. Some examples of activity are taking a walk, playing a sport, dancing, swimming and cleaning your room. Being active keeps the heart, muscles, lungs and bones strong. Best of all, moving our bodies makes us feel good!

Although TV and video games are fun to play, we aren’t being active when we play them. It may seem like you are when you push the buttons on the controllers but you are not moving your body. Next time you’re at home, turn off the TV and video games. If you are by yourself, see how long you can hop on one foot, turn on some music and dance, or try some push-ups and jumping jacks. Other fun activities are jumping rope and using a hula-hoop. Try doing 20 jumping jacks and feel your heartbeat get faster. Put a hulahoop around your waist and see how long you can keep it on your hips.

Usually we’re doing a lot of sitting when we’re on the computer. There are some Web sites that can help you find ways to be active. Ask an adult if you can go to www.verbnow.com and create new games to play, like Playground Kick-bee or Rec Room Hula Hooping. You can also go to www.bam.gov/fit4life/index.htm and take a quiz to see which activities match with your personality.

If you are stuck in the house, a healthy way to fight boredom is to purchase child-friendly exercise videos and DVDs. They are available online or at local stores. One exercise video for children is called Moovin’ and Groovin’ and can be found on www.exerciseforkids.com . Another website that lists children’s fitness videos is www.fitnessbeginnings.com . Exercise videos are a fun way to be active on rainy days.

There are a lot of fun ways to be active, even when you’re stuck at home. Just remember to be creative and find ways to get that heart pumping!

Jennifer Prish, MS, RD, LDN

Durham Regional Hospital Wellness Institute