Keep up or set the pace?

I cannot tell you how many times a mom has said to me " I get plenty of exercise chasing my such-and-such year old." Really? Isn't that backwards? Shouldn't mom set the pace?

Don't get me wrong, I know first-hand how exhausting it can be caring for an infant, chasing a toddler (with said infant on hip) and now keeping up with elementary-age kids. However, I believe, preach and live the opposite:

"Exercise to keep up with your kids, don't keep up with your kids to exercise."

What's the difference?

When you exercise for health, you gain injury prevention, more energy and strength to do the things you want to do...and that your kids want you to do. ("Race you to the corner mom—last one's a rotten egg!")

When we keep up for exercise, we are just chasing behind our children. Not giving our bodies a chance to gain that strength. And often even more importantly, not giving ourselves the time and priority to focus on our own health.

Carve out that time to get your heart rate up, try an activity you enjoy, reach for a physical goal and show your kids how important exercise is to you. They will grow up to do the same. What could be better than that?

Then when they ask you to do a 5K with them or practice throwing the ball, you won't be kicking yourself the next day. And you'll be ready to do the same when it's your grandkids saying, "Last one's a rotten egg!"