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Outdoor Family Games Are Healthy--for Body And Soul

According to the experts there are two things which are a problem in our society. First is that we're not getting enough exercise. We spend too much time sitting around. We sit on the couch, we sit in front of the TV, we sit in the car, we sit behind our desks. We just do too much sitting. Of course sometimes we just have to sit, but we need to do less of it. Maybe we wouldn't all be so fat if we moved around a little more.

By Craig Mecham

According to the experts there are two things which are a problem in our society.  First is that we’re not getting enough exercise.  We spend too much time sitting around.  We sit on the couch, we sit in front of the TV, we sit in the car, we sit behind our desks.  We just do too much sitting.  Of course sometimes we just have to sit, but we need to do less of it.  Maybe we wouldn’t all be so fat if we moved around a little more.

We’re not exercising like Americans did back in the good old days.  We need to walk, run, jog, or even just plain move around more.  In fact, one recent American Cancer Society report states that lack of exercise is just as dangerous to your heath as smoking!  And, people who don’t exercise are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as people who get even modest amounts of exercise.

Years ago when John F. Kennedy was president, there was a craze that swept the nation resulting in large numbers of people walking or jogging.  Some tried to see how far they could go in a day.  Some went 20, 25 or even 30 miles in a day.  Even four decades ago people were worried that we sat around too much.  Today, no one is asking Americans to walk 30 miles.  Just play an outdoor family game together.

The experts say that just a small amount of exercise is still helpful for our bodies.  Many people are taking advantage of outdoor family games to add some exercise to their routines.  The popularity of backyard games has increased dramatically over the past year or two.  There are many different types from which to choose and they’re an inexpensive way to have fun while exercising.

BlongoBall is one game that is becoming increasingly popular all across the nation.  It’s easy to set up and fun to play.  You don’t need any particular athletic ability so it’s suitable for all ages from grade schoolers to Grandpa and Grandma.

BlongoBall is played by tossing a bolo made from two golf balls at either end of a length of rope in such a way that it will wrap around the horizontal rungs of a “ladder” type goal.  It’s easy and fun and anyone can play.

There are many BlongoBall imitators in the “toss it, wrap it, score” game category.  BlongoBall is the original and our favorite.  We’ve tested most all of these types of games and our preference is for BlongoBall because it is the only one we think is built to last.  Some of the cheap imitations broke almost immediately, so be careful when buying a game if this type.

The next thing the experts are saying is the we’re not spending much time together as families.  Spending more time with your family may not exactly help you stay in shape unless you’re chasing each other around the house, but spending time together is an essential part of developing a healthy family atmosphere.  Pshychology and parenting authorities encourage families to be together for more than just accomplishing the household chores.  Families need to have fun together.

This is a natural place for outdoor family games to fit into the routine.  Most families will have a great time with a game that’s as easy and fun to play as BlongoBall.  Even tempermental teenagers can easily become interested in game that’s a little challenging but not demanding a tremendous amount of skill.

We especially like BlongoBall because it’s easy to talk and interact with each other while playing.  It doesn’t require intense concentration but is still demanding enough to maintain the interest of the whole family.  Players of all ages and skill levels will want to play.  In addition, you can purchase soft rubber ball sets to use indoors, so BlongoBall can be played all year long—even when there’s snow outside!

Outdoor family games are great for keeping your body and your family in shape!  Listen to the experts and get out there and play with your family.

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