Fitness runs in the Cooper family tree. With a family patriarch like Dr. Kenneth Cooper — whose research established the long-term health benefits of daily aerobic exercise — it’s no surprise that the next generation of Coopers (with Dr. Tyler Cooper, son of Kenneth, at its helm) leads a healthy lifestyle that we all can learn from.
For Tyler, a preventative medicine physician and CEO of Cooper Aerobics Enterprises, staying active is more than a strategy toward long-term health, it’s a lifestyle he’s known since he was born — the same year his father founded the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.
At an early age, Tyler joined his older sister and parents on Sunday afternoon three-mile jogs. Now, when raising his own family (Clark, 3 and a half; Lang, 1 and a half; and a third mini Cooper on the way) with wife Angie, the former Baylor University track star says he frequently looks back to his own parents’ example. “When our son was born, Angie and I made a decision that he was joining our life, we’re not joining his. And our life is very active,” Tyler says. “With kids, it’s all about emulation. They see us living an active life, and they want to be a part of it.”
So how can your family start “Coopering” toward a fit lifestyle? (Hint: It’s not a requirement to have a family history of athleticism.) Tyler and Angie took us backstage to their fit-but-fun life together to offer a sneak peek at how they stay grounded (and energized!) while focusing their family on healthy lifestyle choices.
FIT ROUTINE
The Coopers’ commitment to fitness is a family affair. And it’s one vow Angie won’t break. Just because daddy’s at work at the nearby Cooper Clinic in Dallas from about 8am-4pm daily doesn’t mean she and the couple’s two towheaded tots can’t start their day with a walk around the family’s Preston-Royal neighborhood. In fact, they chose their home with their outdoorsy lifestyle in mind. “Where we live is really essential to how we live,” shares Angie (who is 20 weeks pregnant). During Angie’s 30-minute power walk, Clark often rides his bike while his little sister rides in a jogger stroller.
But they ditch the wheels by mid-afternoon and walk to the stores and restaurants in close proximity to the Coopers’ home.
The family’s exercise routine also brought about an attitude adjustment. When Tyler arrives back at home, he takes a brisk 30-minute jog. “We don’t say, ‘Oh, daddy has to go run tonight.’ We say, ‘Daddy’s going to get the chance to run tonight.’ We talk about exercise in a very positive way with the kids,” says Tyler.
And those nostalgic images of dad and son out back pitching balls into worn-out mitts don’t have to be relegated to old black-and-white photographs. Tyler is busy making new memories for his kids. After his run, he joins son Clark in the backyard to kick the soccer ball (with young Lang joining in, too!). And, later, the active family also caps off their evening with an after-dinner stroll.
ON THE MENU
For the Coopers, staying healthy doesn’t stop at simply exercising at least 30 minutes a day — food also plays an important role in their family’s well-being. The duo made an early pact in parenthood to speak to their kids honestly about healthy eating habits. Explains Angie: “Clark is getting to an age where he’s more curious about food. He can recognize junk food just from the informal conversations we’ve had over dinner.”
But eating right doesn’t necessarily mean eating less. It means eating smarter. With all of the family’s activities, the Coopers don’t skimp when it comes to mealtime. One important trick, shares Angie, “is that I always put veggies out for the kids to snack on when they are at their hungriest. That way when they sit down at the table and say, ‘I’m full,’ I at least know that they’ve had some good food for the day.”
But despite their diligence, mealtime isn’t always an easy feat for the family. “There are times,” Tyler confesses, “when we’re saying, ‘Dear Lord, let him finish these peas so we can get up from the table!’”
What about ice cream and cookies — do they ever cheat? Angie is quick to admit, yes. Lang and Clark both know that treats always come after they finish their meals, she explains. And Angie says there are days that she can’t get enough ice cream (“thanks to pregnancy!” she laughs). “But, we like to walk to the Baskin Robbins, so at least there is some form of fitness around the indulgence.” Tyler adds: “We’re not super fanatical; it’s all about moderation and balance.”
RULES TO LIVE BY
If you want your children to forge healthy, active lives, you must lead the way, says Tyler. He admits that being active doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but “an active lifestyle doesn’t revolve around sporting events, it just means that you keep your kids playing,” Tyler says.
Having personal fitness goals is a great place to start, adds Angie, who says her goals revolve around her family now, instead of more time-consuming tasks such as her past marathon training. “I know I’ve achieved my goals for the day if I make it out the door to walk with the kids. It can be as simple as that,” she says.
“Activity isn’t about competition,” says Tyler. “It’s a part of life. Parents have got to make it fun for themselves, and before they know it, the whole family will be joining in.”
