G et F it W ith Y our F amily
5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving
You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.
Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.
1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.
2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy.
3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks.
5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.
M eet O ur P aralegal M olly M olenaar
Molly Molenaar started at The Manley Firm three years ago as an administrative assistant after graduating with a degree in legal studies from the University of Central Florida. She knew she was interested in working in the legal field and wanted to get her foot in the door any way possible. Shortly after being hired, she was transferred into the role of junior paralegal, and at the end of 2019, she became a full-time paralegal for us. Her drive and tenacity have helped her excel here at the firm, and it shows that she loves her job serving as the first point of contact and liaison between clients and their attorneys. Molly says she especially loves doing the background work for cases, discovery, research, and trial prep.
Beyond the prep and paperwork, Molly says that empathy is key to being successful in the family law field. Hearing clients’ stories can be challenging at times, but she says, “That’s also what makes it really rewarding to be able to help them through these tough times and get them a fresh start.” No one expects to get divorced or have to deal with other family issues, but when they happen, Molly is glad to be part of an office of empathetic professionals who can help out during those times. Outside of the office, Molly loves spending time with her rat terrier, Ollie. “He’s my baby. We love to go to the beach or find a trail to walk or run on,” she says. She enjoys continuing to explore Savannah and says she loves living in the city she’s called home for the past three years. Luckily her hometown in Florida isn’t too far away, and she can keep in touch with family and friends easily.
“I like helping build the case for the trial and knowing all the ins and outs,” she says.
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