The laborsaving conveniences of modern living, long hours of sitting deskbound, and sedentary entertainment have all contributed to the reduction in the fitness and increased bodyweight of those living in modern society. It starts when children forsake outside activities for staying inside to watch TV, it continues in high school where P.E. has been turned into an elective, later we surf the internet rather than engage in physical pursuits. Our relationships are typically built around passive endeavors, rather than healthier activities.

In courtship most couples begin their relationships by engaging in sedentary activities such as dinner and a movie, or going out for a few beverages. If they are not careful they could be an establishing life-long behavior pattern. My friends from college who based their dating around going out to eat or drink now look like they have continued that trend, they are typically overweight and under conditioned. Where will this continued behavior lead? To obesity, heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, impotence, and an overabundance of health concerns. What can be done? Seeking an active lifestyle for yourself and your family is a good place to start. Encourage children to play and engage in physical activities while limiting their time on the computer, TV and electronic games. Keep healthy snacks available in your home and in everyone's lunch box.

Fit Love In

You do not have to choose between fitness and relationships. It is possible to spend time with those you love and live a healthy lifestyle, but it may take some creativity. It certainly is easier to stick with the same old passive routine of going out to dinner and a movie for a date, than thinking up something that is creative and healthy.

My wife, Clare, and I began our relationship by combining physical activities with other activities that promoted social interaction. Our first "date" was a swimming workout together. Since we are both pretty competitive we pushed each other to higher levels of fitness during these "dates." Through out our courtship we usually merged activities such as swimming, weightlifting, cross-country skiing, SCUBA diving, hiking or running with our dates together. Unbeknownst to us we were establishing life long habits of fitness. Even now our family activities frequently involve active fun rather than sedentary fun. We love to ride bikes, go SCUBA diving, swim, workout, kayak and canoe, hike, play tetherball or play games as a family.

Activity Ideas

Below is a list of activities that are fun and will burn a few calories. These are just a sampling of ideas, after you get the hang of choosing healthy activities for dates or family outings it will become easy come up with your own creative ideas for staying fit.

Kill Your TV

The biggest robber of time from relationships, family, fitness, spiritual and intellectual development is the television. Television viewing and recreational computer use dominate many people's discretionary time. There are several studies that have linked television viewing and weight gain, declining health, and poor academic performance. Certainly no one can defend time spent in front of a TV with a loved one as "quality time." Time spent in front of a TV is lost time. A couple who spend most of their time together watching TV may want to break the habit with a TV fast . Turn the TV off for a predetermined period of time: a week, two weeks, or a month. You may find that you want to make the fast permanent. Try not to fall in to the trap of selling yourself on all of the high quality educational shows that are now available. TV has very little redeeming value on any level.

When I suggest to people that they stop watching TV they act like I am Amish. We are not Amish and we still own a TV, but we do not have it hooked up to receive television transmissions. We use it to view videos that we choose, not what some network hack decides we should watch. We are very selective about how much the TV is on and what type of movies that we allow into our home. We also have an exercise bicycle in front of the TV so that recreational movie watching can be done while exercising.

Bringing Fitness Home

To promote fitness in your family try to promote family activities, instead of family inactivities. Eat healthy meals together as a family with the TV turned off. Be physically active with your family: go for walks, shoot some baskets, play catch, or just work on a household project together. Generally avoid being passive in your relationships and activity level. It is important for parents to be role models of a healthy lifestyle. Encourage healthy lifestyle choices and healthy diet-free eating and help your family to achieve optimum fitness and health.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."*

This biblical truism rings loudly: Our hearts will follow what we treasure. If we treasure people, relationships and health, we will hold them in high regard and will work to create an active lifestyle of loving people and honoring relationships. This stands in contrast to the passive lifestyle of sedentary spectatorship that has permeated our culture. Spend time with those you love in healthy activities and you will be rewarded with health and strong relationships.

*New American Standard Bible: Luke 12:34