Ensuring the Monkeys get Outside and Moving!

The monkeys are very active (hence the name of my blog) and for that I am extremely grateful. Their Dad (and I) are very passionate about keeping fit and encouraging an active lifestyle for them. They have given me the inspiration to get fit and lose weight. Not only to keep up with them, but also to be a good role model and show them Mummy can be fit, active and healthy too!

Since the monkeys came along we've definitely been an active family enjoying the great outdoors and encouraging (but not pushing) the monkeys to enjoy sports and take up activities that will keep them moving, which in turn helps with their development.

Sadly this is not the case for all children. There are over 1000 children being referred to hospital as a result of obesity, and 1 in 3 children between the ages of 2 and 10 are overweight. It's a sad and shocking figure! 

Research commissioned by ESP (the leading provider of school play equipment in the UK) and carried out by Liverpool John Moores University, discovered that the average amount of physical activity taking place during PE lessons was remarkably low. The report demonstrated that "68% of a child’s PE lesson is spent stationary" How can that be? 

Both monkeys love their PE lessons at school which consist of dance, gymnastics, outdoor games and more. They are even encouraged to play football during lunch time! The Juniors have a new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), which is used a lot! Everyone got involved in raising the money to get it installed and are very proud of that. It really is an asset to the school.

Despite their active learning in school, we do a lot of outside activities with the monkeys. They get a pretty equal amount of active time outdoors and down time indoors in my opinion. 

We love family bike rides and now that little monkey (who is coming up for 6) can ride his bike proficiently, we often take them on rides where we live. I'm looking forward to going further afield as they get stronger and older!

Big monkey has been playing football weekly for a long time now. He is a member of a local team who train once a week and play in matches once a week too. He and his younger brother also train weekly with an academy and get invited along to matches once in a while, with them. The academy also run holiday camps which they proudly and eagerly take part in. Twice now big monkey has had the privilege of being a Mascot at The Emirates!

We can often be found at the various parks our City has. We're really well served with them here and the monkeys like nothing more than a good run around, a play on the equipment or even a ride around on their bikes or scooters.

Daddy is a keen runner and often the monkeys ask to join him. They run about a mile, sometimes further and love indoor exercises with him too. They are always having competitions to see who can hold a plank longest! 

Just recently little monkey taught himself to swim. I've no idea where this development came from but we're obviously encouraging it and take the monkeys swimming as much as we can now! Their Grandparents live on a boat so being able to swim not only helps to keep them active but of course could save their life's! 

We're very proud of the two of them and delighted they love their sports and being active.

So, there you have it. Just a few of the reasons I'm not complaining (My Monkeys Don't Sit Still).....I just wish they could be quieter at times!