I love studies that conclude that exercise does more than improve your physical health, but also your mental health!  For me, its just as important that my kids are well physically as mentally.  And that they have all the academic advantages available to them!

This recent article by the NIH (National Institute of Health)  looked at a study of 1.2 million people!  The study determined:

 fit teens were more likely to obtain a university degree later in life. Fitness at age 18 was likewise linked to landing better jobs, with higher pay or management responsibilities, up to 36 years later.

One explanation about the connection is:

"Being fit means that you also have good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen," says study coauthor Dr. Michael Nilsson of the University of Gothenburg. "This may be one of the reasons why we can see a clear link with fitness, but not with muscular strength."

So, do your teens like to be active? Or do they prefer laziness?  Movies? Video Games?  Texting?  Without teens, I can imagine its pretty divided.  I think you would  have some kids who love to be outside doing fun and crazy stuff, and some teens who don’t!   Here are some ideas I think may help teenagers get busy!

• Provide a fun activity!   Take them sledding… get them a ski pass… sign them up for sports…
• INVITE THEIR FRIENDS!!! Are you going sledding and your kids don’t feel like going.. let them bring a friend.  This works in our house every time. 
• If they want a dog, offer to get one on the condition they take the dog for walks each day.
• Get them new sports equipment, or exercise clothes.  New things are fun to try out and even help me to get to the gym
• Gift certificates to bowling, ice skating, a dance class etc.   If they’ve been wanting to just try out something new, this is a good way to let them experiment.
• Take them to an athletic event.  Even though you are spectators, often it will ignite the desire to play the game yourself.
• When all else fails, get a wii with active games. (we Like Dance Dance Revolution)

On Thursday we went sledding!  This is a guaranteed way to get my kids off the couch.   To make this fun for kids, make sure you bundle up, and don’t stay too long.’