New Year's resolutions are a funny thing.

Resolutions are easy to make but even easier to break.

Maybe that's why there is an old saying that "many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits."

One of the easiest resolutions to make-and break-is to become healthier in the new year. Health experts say that one of the greatest obstacles to getting in shape is time-time away from your job and time away from your family.

But, there is a way to pursue those resolutions and do it side-by-side with your child or teenager. And after all, they need to get in shape, too.

In fact, it's recommended that children and teens get at least one hour of physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.

Yet physical activity tends to decline, as children get older. Many teens, for instance, drop out of organized sports.

And, school physical education classes have become a thing of the past in many districts. Nationally, only 19 percent of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more each day in a P.E. class.

In the coming year, you can find ways to get fit with your children, including learning to cook healthy meals, eating healthy snacks, taking walks and enjoying other opportunities to be active as a family.

The Highline YMCA suggests programs such as these as a way to be healthier with your child or teen in the coming year:

Zumba is the latest fitness craze for teens and adults. This Latin-inspired dance exercise class is simple enough for anyone to learn and really gets the heart pumping.

The YMCA offers weekly Zumba classes.

Strong Kids/Strong Teens is a YMCA program that helps kids or teens and their parents learn how to make healthy habits stick. The multiple-week classes include changes to cook healthy meals, exercise together and talk about making healthy choices.

Bowling is a great bad weather activity for families and a good option for kids of all ages. There are local bowling alleys in Tukwila and Burien.

The SeaTac Community Center offers many classes and activities for families, including karate, archery, belly dance, fencing, yoga and much more.

Teens can take Hip Hop dance lessons in Des Moines through the city's Parks and Recreation program. This fun style of dance is offered for teens in grades 6-10 on Monday nights.

Letting your child or teen help decide how to make healthy changes is key.

Have your kids figure out what activity is most appealing to them and once you get started as a family, you will all enjoy the feeling of well-being, reduced stress and increased strength and energy that comes from exercise and healthy eating.

We've all had lifetimes of making resolutions every year, and most of us see those resolutions fade after a few weeks.

If we work with our kids to develop new habits, we can help them develop healthy patterns for themselves for the rest of their lives.

Shelly Skaro is senior program director at the Highline YMCA. A new 48,000-square-foot YMCA is under construction for the Highline/SeaTac area, with opening anticipated in fall 2009. For more information on the project, or current programs at the YMCA, visit www.highlineymca.org or call 206-244-5880.