Health and Wellness

By Preyanka Makadia

Creative Ways to Get Your Parents in Shape

Face it. Many parents, especially South Asian parents, do not like to exercise. According to a study by the American Academy of Family Physicians, close to 75% of older Americans do not exercise at recommended levels, and this statistic is likely higher among elderly South Asians. Steering clear from exercise can lead to many health problems including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and even a decline in neurocognitive function. Chances are you’ve told your parents to exercise and take better care of their health, but many of them are reluctant to do so. Many of our parents adopt a laissez-faire attitude about aging and its associated chronic diseases. By becoming more active, they can prevent some of these conditions and live longer, more fulfilling lives. It can be challenging to convince your parents to work out, but as the weather becomes warmer, urge your parents to take control of their health with some of the following fun activities:

Walking: This is probably the easiest thing to do, especially on nice summer evenings. After dinner, take your parents out for a walk around the neighborhood. They will appreciate the opportunity to talk and spend time with you, while burning 300-500 calories per hour when walking at a moderate pace. If you can get them to start slowly, you can eventually encourage them to engage in more challenging physical activity.

Gardening: Some of our parents come from agricultural backgrounds in India, so they may enjoy the idea of creating their own garden in the U.S. Many of us already grow herbs for cooking in our kitchens, so encourage your parents to take it a step further and plant a vegetable garden. Gardening allows for moderate to strenuous activity, and a 150-pound person can burn up to 272 calories per hour. You can buy seeds at any local nursery or grocery store, and even if you live in an apartment, your parents can cultivate a mini green space. Additionally, your parents can take pride in serving you their home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Yoga: Yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years, and your parents may be more receptive to exercise that is part of the South Asian culture. Yoga is great exercise for seniors, especially since it can improve strength, flexibility and balance, which all diminish as we age. It is also low- to moderate-impact and easy to do. Classes are very accessible, as most gyms and health centers offer yoga instruction. However, by purchasing videos or DVDs, your parents can practice yoga from the comfort of their home.

Play a game: Running around outside with the family can create stronger bonds, while burning calories and having fun. You can play some South Asian favorites, such as cricket, or kho-kho, which is basically an Indian version of “Duck-Duck-Goose.” In this game (best played with larger groups), everybody stands in a circle. One person walks around and tags a kho by tapping them on the shoulder. The kho then has to chase and tag the person before he or she runs around the circle and takes the kho’s spot. The person being chased can also stand behind another person, who then has to run and avoid being tagged by the kho.

Make them join you: If you’re about to go to the gym or for a run, encourage your parents to come with you. Wait for them to change into sneakers and gym clothes and offer encouragement if they try to bail out. During the workout, be patient with them and try to have fun. If your parents enjoy it, they may be convinced to work out with you again or even exercise on their own.

Family fitness challenge: Everybody loves a little competition. This summer, have the whole family compete against each other to see who can lose the most weight in the next few months, similar to NBC’s The Biggest Loser. The loser of the challenge would have to take everybody out for a trip or a fancy dinner. Record all of your initial weights and post them on the fridge. Moreover, commit to getting fit yourself. If your parents see that you are dedicated to the challenge, they might exercise in order to beat you. Also, if the whole family is involved, your parents may like the support and want to try harder.

As the weather becomes warmer, now is the best time to encourage your parents to get active and become healthier. It is very likely that they will not want to, which can be frustrating, but push them to try simple activities like walking with you first. Be persistent in your efforts and do your best to support them, and eventually, they may warm up to the idea of exercising. The most important thing is to market the physical activity as having fun, so they would look forward to it.

*Medical Disclaimer: If your parents have any pre-existing health conditions, consult a doctor before engaging in any strenuous physical activity.

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