If you listen to the experts you learn two things. First, lack of exercise is a problem in our society. We spend too much time sitting in front of the TV, behind our desks, in the car, on the couch, or even at a restaurant. Even though sitting is not a completely bad thing, the problem is we just plain do too much of it. That's why we're all getting fat.
Back in the good old days, Americans got much more exercise. Not so today. We need to do more walking, running, jogging or even just moving around--take the stairs instead of the elevator--you know the drill. One recent report from the American Cancer Society says that lack of exercise is just as dangerous to our health as smoking! That's a surprise! Plus, they tell us that people who don't exercise are two times as likely to have heart disease as people who are exercising even a moderate amount.
Even back when John F. Kennedy was president, the country recognized that Americans weren't getting enough exercise. A fad that captivated the nation was walking. Not just walking around the neighborhood, but walking 20, 25 or even 30 miles in a single day. It was such a big deal that there were newspaper articles and news stories about how far people walked in a day. No one is expecting you to walk 30 miles today, but it would be great if we just got outside to play a family game together.
So, if we admit that we're getting a little fat as a nation, what can we do about it? Again, the experts tell us that even a moderate amount of exercise will help. People are starting to recognize this as evidenced by the increasing popularity of outdoor family games. There are many to choose from and they're priced within reach of even the most budget conscious consumer. It's an inexpensive way to add exercise to our regular routine.
A current favorite game is BlongoBall. It's fun for everyone to play, it's easy to set up and play-and it's even easy to be a winner! No special skills required to thoroughly crush your competition.
The game is played by tossing a bolo constructed from two golf balls connected with a length of rope. The bolo is tossed at the horizontal rungs of a "ladder" type goal. Scoring is accomplished when the bolo wraps around one of the horizontal rungs. It's easy to learn and fun to play.
There are many BlongoBall imitators in the "toss it, wrap it, score" game category. BlongoBall is the original and our favorite. We've tested most all of these types of games and our preference is for BlongoBall because it is the only one we think is built to last. Some of the cheap imitations broke almost immediately, so be careful when buying a game if this type.
The next thing the experts are saying is the we're not spending much time together as families. Spending more time with your family may not exactly help you stay in shape unless you're chasing each other around the house, but spending time together is an essential part of developing a healthy family atmosphere. Pshychology and parenting authorities encourage families to be together for more than just accomplishing the household chores. Families need to have fun together.
Outdoor family games are perfect answers to the question of what to do for family fun time. Most families will enjoy a game like BlongoBall which is easy to learn and fun to play. Parents of teenagers enjoy BlongoBall because it is interesting and exciting enough to entice the teenagers to participate without being so difficult that younger or even older family members will be discouraged.
We especially like BlongoBall because it's easy to talk and interact with each other while playing. It doesn't require intense concentration but is still demanding enough to maintain the interest of the whole family. Players of all ages and skill levels will want to play. In addition, you can purchase soft rubber ball sets to use indoors, so BlongoBall can be played all year long--even when there's snow outside!
All in all, outdoor family games are a great idea not only for staying in shape physically, but for keeping your family in shape and emotionally healthy. - 16003
Back in the good old days, Americans got much more exercise. Not so today. We need to do more walking, running, jogging or even just moving around--take the stairs instead of the elevator--you know the drill. One recent report from the American Cancer Society says that lack of exercise is just as dangerous to our health as smoking! That's a surprise! Plus, they tell us that people who don't exercise are two times as likely to have heart disease as people who are exercising even a moderate amount.
Even back when John F. Kennedy was president, the country recognized that Americans weren't getting enough exercise. A fad that captivated the nation was walking. Not just walking around the neighborhood, but walking 20, 25 or even 30 miles in a single day. It was such a big deal that there were newspaper articles and news stories about how far people walked in a day. No one is expecting you to walk 30 miles today, but it would be great if we just got outside to play a family game together.
So, if we admit that we're getting a little fat as a nation, what can we do about it? Again, the experts tell us that even a moderate amount of exercise will help. People are starting to recognize this as evidenced by the increasing popularity of outdoor family games. There are many to choose from and they're priced within reach of even the most budget conscious consumer. It's an inexpensive way to add exercise to our regular routine.
A current favorite game is BlongoBall. It's fun for everyone to play, it's easy to set up and play-and it's even easy to be a winner! No special skills required to thoroughly crush your competition.
The game is played by tossing a bolo constructed from two golf balls connected with a length of rope. The bolo is tossed at the horizontal rungs of a "ladder" type goal. Scoring is accomplished when the bolo wraps around one of the horizontal rungs. It's easy to learn and fun to play.
There are many BlongoBall imitators in the "toss it, wrap it, score" game category. BlongoBall is the original and our favorite. We've tested most all of these types of games and our preference is for BlongoBall because it is the only one we think is built to last. Some of the cheap imitations broke almost immediately, so be careful when buying a game if this type.
The next thing the experts are saying is the we're not spending much time together as families. Spending more time with your family may not exactly help you stay in shape unless you're chasing each other around the house, but spending time together is an essential part of developing a healthy family atmosphere. Pshychology and parenting authorities encourage families to be together for more than just accomplishing the household chores. Families need to have fun together.
Outdoor family games are perfect answers to the question of what to do for family fun time. Most families will enjoy a game like BlongoBall which is easy to learn and fun to play. Parents of teenagers enjoy BlongoBall because it is interesting and exciting enough to entice the teenagers to participate without being so difficult that younger or even older family members will be discouraged.
We especially like BlongoBall because it's easy to talk and interact with each other while playing. It doesn't require intense concentration but is still demanding enough to maintain the interest of the whole family. Players of all ages and skill levels will want to play. In addition, you can purchase soft rubber ball sets to use indoors, so BlongoBall can be played all year long--even when there's snow outside!
All in all, outdoor family games are a great idea not only for staying in shape physically, but for keeping your family in shape and emotionally healthy. - 16003
About the Author:
Craig Mecham is a marketing consultant during the work day and is a father of six the rest of the time. His family is a perfect testing ground for outdoor family games. Nothing interferes with their BlongoBall tournaments!
