Editor’s Note: I feel moderately guilty posting this today. We’ve done plenty of hiking, beach-walking and generally outdoors loving the last week. But, you can bet that has also included plenty of sleeping in, snacking and lounging around blissfully in need of doing absolutely nothing.

But, upon return, I will be hitting the pool hard, the hubby will be returning to the treadmill and the tiny person and I will be reconnecting to our daily walking routine that has been intermittent at best since November. Like many of us, we are in need of some serious motivational tools.

That’s where Comox Valley fitness guru Sharon DeGoede shines, as she is all about motivation.

So, here’s Sharon giving us all a boost of fitness willpower:

Happy, Healthy New Year 2008!

Here are my eight steps to keeping those New Year’s resolutions for Family Fitness:

1. Print off all the walking and hiking trails in the Comox Valley. You should come up with over a dozen established walking (see regional district or go online) hiking and biking trails. Pick one trail a week, pick one day a week, then pick the hour that you will ‘do it’. Do six months in advance and record it on your calendar. This will keep you honest……and committed J Decide in advance and record it beside your date, which you will be doing each week ( bi-weekly or monthly), either walking, biking or hiking.

There are more than enough established, safe trails to walk, bike or hike at least once a month for an entire year!

CVK has some great lists of trails here as well as recommendations for walks here.

2. Are you a skier, a snowboarder, cross country skier or tobogganer? How about snow shoeing?

Establish at least one day that you spend at Mt Washington with your children. Perhaps you have friends or family with acreage. Ask them if you can cross country ski on their property; or play hockey on a safe frozen pond; perhaps rent or purchase the new lighter snow shoes and really get a good cardio work out in. The mountain is pricey for a family so act accordingly and improvise as we have a wealth of outdoor potential surrounding us.

3. Can you skate? Roller blade? Dust the ole blades off and hit the ice or road with the kiddies. They love to see us fall. We have some nice roads for blading and there are tons of family skates at the Comox Valley sports center. Look at the school calendar and take days off when your children have Pro D days and join them for some family fun.

4. Do you have a dog? They need some love too! Establish a routine for dog walking and take the children with you. Make sure their homework is done in advance. Just prior to dinner is great. The Hubby can cook when you are out with the dog and kids and vice versa. Team work!

5. Do you like to swim or frolic in the water? How about hitting the exercise room while the kids are having fun and the life guards are watching them? Check out both the Comox Valley sports center and the Aquatic center….both are great!

6. Are you into Martial arts? Sign yourself and your child up for some MORE discipline! Karate, Tae Kwon Do…….or a great stress release, but not a martial art: how about some Boxing! These are sports that require self discipline and build confidence.

7. For those who like the comfort of the indoors; having two feet on solid ground; and something a little less strenuous…..how about bowling. Glacier lanes is a friendly family oriented establishment.

8. Last, but not least, be kind to your children’s school. Volunteer your time for different sporting activities, even if it is driving. Schools are in dire need of parent volunteers for coaching, chaperones, drivers and fans! YOU can make a difference. Donate your time. Not only will your children love you, but so will the other students and their parents. Be active. Be a role model. Be a leader. Act in consistent moderation.

A quote I have always remembered from my mother, ‘your future lies before like a path of driven snow, be careful how you tread it, for every step will show’…………Children are a product of their parents.

Lead by example…do your best to keep exercise an avid part of YOUR lifestyle.

Cheers,

Sharon de Goede

www.eliteathletics.ca