Congratulations on taking the first step. You are considering getting rid of your TV, or reducing your current TV usage time. That is great. So the question now is: what do you do with your extra free time?

The options are wide open, and you never know what you will find out about yourself. If you are an “average” T.V. watcher, you now have 4 hours of time per day to fill. For example, you can read a book, take art classes, learn an instrument, or compose poetry and short stories.

You can also take up exercise or physical activity. “Whoa, wait a minute—you’re getting personal there, partner!” Well studies show that obesity is on the rise, and TV usage at the very least is a contributing factor. I know, I know: the world of fitness can be confusing to say the least and most people aren’t in the shape that they would like to be. To step foot in a gym is daunting enough, let alone spending some of your hard earned cash on a monthly membership (I don’t encourage you to anyway).

I hope to clear some of the confusion about physical activity, and help you adopt a healthy lifestyle no matter what your age or level of physical fitness. Make sure you consult your family doctor BEFORE you start any new fitness program.

If you have toddlers and you want to do some activity as a change of pace, try following your toddler around for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This addresses what has become an either/or choice when it comes to raising kids: either you give them quality of time or quantity of time, but never both. Really however, kids do need both. Quality time: spending time doing things with your children. Quantity time: making space for your kids in the things you do. Your children will now get this “mommy or daddy” time, which will increase the quantity, and your children will see you as “playing” with them so they get quality time as well. You will also be starting to positively role model a healthy lifestyle for them. They are more likely to adopt these habits and possibly shift the trend of the rising obesity epidemic.

You are probably thinking, “Follow my toddler … what kind of exercise is that?” Well, sit and watch them some day and count how many times they squat, crawl, roll, use their abdominal muscles, stretch, jump, fall and get back up. You may actually find yourself winded or you may find yourself unable to concentrate this entire time—work through it! This isn’t actually about you, it’s about them. If you are already physically active, this can act as a bit of “active recovery,” a fancy term that means it helps the muscles repair faster. You may even find them copying you; if so, start by raising one leg and then the other, or assume a push up position on the floor; touch your belly button to the floor then raise your rear to the sky.

So basically, for this 30 minutes to one hour, play with them. Follow them around: when they squat, you squat; when they lay down, you lay down; when they get up, you get up; when they run or jump, you run or jump. Now, you may need to put toys out for them to play with and roam around towards. Yes, this seems silly and very easy—but it’s a start. The same can even be done at a playground.

How’s that? No weights, no gym, no running on a treadmill … just plain old living. However, once you feel up to it you can add a weighted back pack or hand held weights or visit the playground. I’d rather have you start slow and too easy but coming back to it as opposed to over doing it, getting sore, and quitting without giving things a fair try.

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Edward Moore, RN is a guest columnist for TrashYourTV.com a daring new website that makes it fun and simple to get rid of your TV. Are you addicted to TV? Take our fun TV Addiction Quiz and find out!
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