The New Year always begins with promises of fresh starts. According to surveys, the most often made New Year's resolutions are to lose weight and to exercise regularly.

But, finding time for regular physical activity is difficult when Joey has soccer practice, Julie has dance class and Johnny has piano lessons. With all the responsibilities that come along with being a parent, it's no wonder that the resolutions are usually broken by the end of January.

Experts say that parental exercise is beneficial to both the parent and the child. It keeps the parent in good health and builds the stamina needed to keep up with the children, and it sets a good example of a healthy lifestyle for the young ones.

Getting active with children of any age Infants and toddlers:
Get a little exercise in while they are napping with a home exercise video or machine such as a treadmill or stationary bike.

Put them in the stroller and hit the road. A brisk walk will give you exercise and give the baby a little fresh air.

Swing your partner. Toddlers love to dance, so put on some music and have fun burning calories.

Go to the playground. Pushing a swing or see-sawing will help build muscle; build upper body strength by going hand-over-hand on the monkey bars.

When your baby is old enough, buy a safety-approved bike seat and take him for a ride.

Find a gym with good baby-sitting services.

Elementary-school-age children
Be "sports." Play catch in the backyard; kick around a soccer ball.

Take long bike rides together.

Get into the swim of things. When you take the kids to the pool, walk back and forth in the shallow water while your kids play nearby.

Go shopping. Take the kids for a "mall walk." Walk around the mall several times while window shopping.

Adolescents and teens
Shoot hoops. Play a little one-on-one basketball. Learn a new sport. Sign up for tennis or golf lessons together; take karate or yoga classes.

Register for a fun run (or walk).

Implement regular family walks several times a week.

Work together in the yard raking leaves, pulling weeds and planting flowers.

Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD Source: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Newsletter for general purpose advice only.