With the rising rates of childhood obesity leading to lifelong problems like diabetes and hypertension it’s important to keep your child or children fit. Excess weight gain during childhood and in the teen years can be incredibly difficult to take off later in life.

“Making sure your kids enjoy being active is the key to keeping them healthy for life” says FitSchools adviser Jim Liston C.S.C.S. in this article on MSNBC. “But you may have to do the opposite of your first instinct.”

So how do you help encourage your children to be active? Here are 10 easy ways to help your kids get (and stay) fit:

10 Ways to Help Kids Get Fit

1. Make fitness fun. Just like adults if children aren’t having fun while exercising they won’t stick with it. Playing tag jumping rope playing soccer… all are great ways to exercise and have fun at the same time. Don’t be too rigid with the rules or make things too competitive – just let them have a good time.

2. Be a good role model. Actions really do speak louder than words so make sure you’re playing with them. Get involved in the game or sport and show them by example how much fun exercise can be.

3. Encouragement and praise go a long way. Know when to encourage your child with a sincere compliment. Don’t just praise them when they do something perfectly. If they’re struggling praise what they’re doing right and how proud you are of them for trying.

4. Don’t make food a reward. By rewarding children with junk food and candy we’re basically setting the stage for childhood obesity. Food shouldn’t be thought of as a reward – that delivers the wrong message and can lead to comfort and emotional eating.

5. Don’t compare your child to others. Kids develop coordination and athletic skills at different rates just like anything else. Comparing them negatively to others will only give them self-confidence issues. Remember your child is a unique individual – encourage him or her to be their personal best.

6. Schedule play time. Just like we need to pencil workouts into our busy lives children need a set time to play. Right after school is a perfect time to let kids blow off steam and get some exercise.

7. Keep it up year round. Don’t let your child’s fitness fall by the way side in the winter time. Find sports or activities you can do inside or bundle up and enjoy the snow. Skiing snowshoeing sledding ice skating are all fun ways to stay fit.

8. Expose them to many sports. Just because you’re a world class cyclist or basketball player it doesn’t mean your child will be. If they don’t take to the sport or activity you try first introduce them to many things until they find one they truly love and can excel at.

9. Take them to sporting events. If your child really likes baseball hockey or football take them to games. If he or she is a skier take them to a race. Seeing professional athletes in action will keep their interest and excitement up.

10. Teach them about proper nutrition. Your kids learn t157heir eating habits from you. Making sure they eat plenty of fruits and vegetables whole grains and lean protein now will ensure healthy eating habits for life.