Use “Get” instead of “Have” or “Need”

This is a small, simple use of your words that may seem insignificant, but using “get” in the appropriate manner can change the way your students/kids/you feel about exercise. For example, we never “have” to do Timed Runs; we “get” to do Timed-Runs. We never “need” to do 15 sit-ups; we “get” to do 15 sit-ups. Using “have” and “need” suggests that exercising is mandatory and if we don’t do it, then someone or something will punish us. This adds unnecessary pressure to what should be viewed as leisurely, recreational and fun.

Exercising should be a choice that is enjoyable and we “get” to help encourage this idea to youth. Using “get” helps eliminate the notion that we are being forced to exercise. When explaining this concept to your class/kids/ yourself, mention that using “get” suggests that we have the God-given ability to do things like run, jump, kick, throw, bend, crouch, stop, start, dodge, and sweat. Some people are not blessed with these abilities and we should feel very fortunate and blessed that our limbs and joints are able to function properly and work in unison. We should be grateful for these abilities, and therefore feel privileged to celebrate the free-flowing motions of our body through movement and exercise.