Better Parenting through Exercise
If you’re anything like me, you want to be a good parent and you want to be healthier. Very recently, I came across a good way to help achieve these seemingly disparate goals at the same time by using a health incentive program.
It’s one of those oft-overlooked benefits of health insurance. My provider offers prize incentives to policy-holders who perform certain wellness activities, not the least of which being exercise. The more I exercise, the more points I accumulate. Once I reach a certain threshold, I get to choose a reward.
It’s obvious how this contributes to my health, but how does this tie into parenting? Simple. I just turn around and give the prize to my son. So far, I’ve qualified to get him a kite and a soccer ball for about two months of exercise. I do my rounds on the stationary bike five times a week; my son gets free toys and learns that regular exercise can be rewarding.
Sure, they’re not really “free” prizes when you consider the fact that I’m paying an insurance premium. Still, I’d be paying for the plan regardless of the rewards program. The way I see it, I’m getting added value out of an otherwise necessary expense.
If you’re interested in trying this approach, I suggest you check what sort of incentive programs your health insurance provider offers. Trust me, it makes exercising regularly much easier when you’re rewarded, especially when that reward is a happier child. 