How to get my kid to run

JewelsinBigD

My oldest son hates to run for exercise and is overweight - but loves sports and plays every sport yet continues to be overweight.

Recently he quit soccer since he had to chose only 2 sports a season (all this running around to 8 practices a week was making me crazy).

Now that I am going to the gym 5+x a week and have for 15 months - how can I get him to start running so that he can succeed? It is so bad that every time he gets up to bat he gets out unless he is walked...

He asked to use the treadmill and I taught him how but the interest faded quickly - apparently it was only cool when he wasn't old enough to use it...

He plays basketball and is much faster on the basketball court - but there is something about baseball that makes him run soo slow...and he gets so sad when he gets out...

carlysuzanne85

Maybe go running with him? Or, if it's "not cool" to run with mom, is there a male figure like dad, uncle, cousin, family friend, that could run or do pick up games with him? If it's a fun, social activity with someone he wants to spend time with, that might get him interested.

KANGOOJUMPS

let a alligator go after him.

erindh87

If you have a smartphone, there's an app called Zombies, Run! (or something similar) where zombies will "chase" you. He might consider that fun.

LoraF83

How old is he?

TomTomato

Chase him with a huge paddle????

Some_Watery_Tart

Run with him! I run with my kids. It's fun! They also get super-motivated for a while after I buy them their new running shoes each season. Maybe he'd like a cool running t-shirt or some flashy (and supportive) shoes?

MistressAella

Does his team do basketball drills during practice? I can understand the "not like running" thing, I didn't like it when I was younger either. Give me sports ANY day. Could also be because my mom told me I was fat and I needed to walk/run like she did. lol You don't mention how old he is, but it sounds like he likes being part of a team, maybe *he* could start something like conditioning training so that his team plays better? It's not running or working out if it's called Conditioning Training. Right?

Fr3shStrt

I wouldn't force him to do something he doesn't want. Exercise should be fun for kids and adults.
Is he dangerously overweight? What is his diet like?

Railr0aderTony

Instead of trying to force him to do what you like, encourage him to do activities that he likes. Some people just do not like to run, if you keep on him you will push him further away from fitness all together. Best of luck to you.

Saree1902

Does he have to go out running? If he's fast at basketball and enjoys it, maybe practicing that sport more often will improve his fitness and speed.
Otherwise, I have heard about a smartphone app called zombie run, where the aim is to run away from zombies...might make it a bit more interesting?

lithezebra

Why do you want him to run if he doesn't like it and he's already doing sports? If he's overweight, ask him how he wants to address the problem. He's already exercising. Maybe it's his diet.

angryguy77

Tie a hotdog to the end of a stick and place it on his head.

Cr01502

Tie him to the back of your vehicle and drive at a reasonable pace.

sevsmom

If you figure it out, let me know. My daughter signed up for 7th grade track, and still isn't a fan of running. I have fallen in love with running and would love for this to be "our thing", but so far. . .nada.

sijomial

The beatings will continue until morale improves......

First off address the overweight problem - that's due to diet not lack of running ability.
Then let the kid do the sports he wants to do and enjoys.

MidwestAngel

Tie him to the back of your vehicle and drive at a reasonable pace.

Worked wonders for my kids, lost all kinds of weight.

Jacwhite22

bump for ideas..

Ender126

My oldest son hates to run for exercise and is overweight - but loves sports and plays every sport yet continues to be overweight.

Recently he quit soccer since he had to chose only 2 sports a season (all this running around to 8 practices a week was making me crazy).

Now that I am going to the gym 5+x a week and have for 15 months - how can I get him to start running so that he can succeed? It is so bad that every time he gets up to bat he gets out unless he is walked...

He asked to use the treadmill and I taught him how but the interest faded quickly - apparently it was only cool when he wasn't old enough to use it...

He plays basketball and is much faster on the basketball court - but there is something about baseball that makes him run soo slow...and he gets so sad when he gets out...

Drive behind him in the car with Eye of the Tiger blasting from the speakers

But in all seriousness, you can't "make" someone run. Inspiring him will probably work the best or getting someone to do it with him that is motivational.

centarix

If you have a smartphone, there's an app called Zombies, Run! (or something similar) where zombies will "chase" you. He might consider that fun.

This is so cool! Thanks for recommending this app! What a great idea

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

I tie a rope around my waist and drag her down the beach. When she falls, it's more resistance. My quads are looking great!

GBOGH_5

Most of the kids I know LOVE to sign up for 5Ks. The thought of getting out there and running in a big group with a timer and all is encouraging. Even more interest if it is a mud run or color run or something similar. I know that around my area there is a 5K or fun run of some kind almost every weekend.

HealthyBodySickMind

I always ran when my mother grabbed the wooden spoon. I am now 28 and I will not allow those in my house.

bcattoes

How much is he eating that he is playing all these sports and still overweight. Have you had him checked by a doctor? If there is no medical problem, you might want to consider diet changes rather than trying to force him to run.

But, you could also just tell him you are not going to continue to pay for sports unless he is willing to practice them, since practice would include running.

iulia_maddie

1.When you go running, take some of his favorite dessert with you.
2.Tell him that if he catches you he can have it.
3.Watch him run.

josavage

My son hates to run and was always slow at running the bases. We signed him up for speed and agility classes and he loved them. He's faster and stronger. Check out the places in your area that have hitting and pitching lessons. They are the ones that usually have the speed and agility classes and they aren't too expensive because it's group training, not one on one. He may find that more enjoyable than just going out to run.

mikkimomof3

Why do you want him to run if he doesn't like it and he's already doing sports? If he's overweight, ask him how he wants to address the problem. He's already exercising. Maybe it's his diet.

This would be my response too...he is already exercising, which is great, but no amount of it will make up for a poor diet. How are his eating habits?

Lessismore98

Can you get him to talk about why he hates to run so much? It seems very odd that he loves sports but is willing to sacrifice success in sports that he "loves" just to avoid the running that is an inevitable part of almost every sport. Did someone make fun of him for sweating, and he associates running with getting sweaty or something? If he's actually consistently overweight and not just gaining weight before a growth spurt, maybe running chafes somewhere (like his privates) that he is too embarrassed to talk about? Did someone tell him that he is "too slow" and he thinks that avoiding running will prevent that criticism? There is an obvious fault in his logic somewhere, if you can get him to talk about what he likes about the sports he likes and then ease around to the subject of why he doesn't like running even as a part of the sports he likes maybe you can find out more.

Also, if he plays sports all the time but is still overweight, then you probably need to overhaul his diet. A child who is healthy (no thyroid problems or bloating medications) and active has to be putting in a lot of excess calories to be overweight, and a child can't overhaul his diet by himself. Don't nag, but make sure the whole family is eating lighter, make sure he is drinking mostly just water instead of drinking lots of calories, pack healthy sandwiches so you aren't eating fast food while running to all those practices, etc. You sound like you are really involved with your kids and are making a lot of good choices in keeping them active, which is great! Making sure that he knows that the fuel he puts in is a key to his success in sports may help him too.

jazzguy4him

He's a guy. Guys love challenges and goals. Get him an iPod touch and download Nike +. Or... if he's already got a smartphone download Nike + on it.

Challenge him to run his fastest mile, his longest run, etc, etc. It will motivate him.

Don't give up.

kagenw

Instead of trying to force him to do what you like, encourage him to do activities that he likes. Some people just do not like to run, if you keep on him you will push him further away from fitness all together. Best of luck to you.

^ This. In all reality, it probably doesn't matter in the long run whether he runs or plays basketball or baseball. The important thing is that he gets and stays active.

michellelemorgan

The beatings will continue until morale improves......

First off address the overweight problem - that's due to diet not lack of running ability.
Then let the kid do the sports he wants to do and enjoys.

I agree with this. Straighten out his diet and then exercise.