Coaching burns calories

Spring is more than spreading mulch and planting new flowers -- it's kid soccer season in our family. This year I've decided to slide my butt off the spectator bench, forego the bag of game pretzels and raise my hand to assistant coach my six-year-old son's team.

We had our first practice tonight and I'm tired and sore. I ran around the practice field modeling proper dribbling techniques, made several shots on goal, leaned over constantly to talk to the 48-inch and under set and topped off practice with a 'coaches versus players' scrimmage. It was freezing outside, but with all our movement we remained warm. No doubt we were steadily burning calories -- equivalent to maybe a brisk walking pace which AOL Body's Calories Burned calculator estimates burned over 200 calories per hour for my frame.

If you have kids in organized sports think about coaching. I am now guaranteed eight weeks of consistent activity three hours a week during times I'd otherwise be milling around in the kitchen potentially snacking away. No more sitting on a blanket with other parents and gossiping between gametime cheers and handfuls of pretzels. I'm going to be running up and down the sidelines working muscle.

If you don't have time or the inclination to coach youth sports, volunteer to be a line judge in soccer, hit ground balls to the baseball team during warm-up or regularly practice with your child at home. You're supporting the league, investing in your health, spending real time with your child and setting a great example, too. Go Fireballs -- our new team name!