Healthy Lifestyle: Do It For Yourself While Influencing Others

           An observation I have made the last several years with clients is the challenge of changing their eating and exercising habits when the rest of their household, family, friends, and/or co-workers are not doing the same.  Many fall off the wagon due to their family and friends eating habits and discouragement.  It can become a logistical and financial headache of purchasing and preparing different foods in the same household or not wanting to partake in certain foods at a corporate lunch.  Time at the gym can take away from time that others are used to you having available.  We are all creatures of habits and get entrenched in our routines.  So you have to remind yourself that you are doing this for yourself and that it will serve as an inspiration to others.  Don’t allow your approach in communicating it take way from your progress.

            First and foremost the most critical aspect is nutrition.   You can exercise until you pass out, without proper nutrition you will not reap the full benefits of the process.  Many studies have quantified that nutrition is 70-80% of weight management.  Exercise builds strength and endurance.  Other benefits of exercise are alertness, energy, and productivity. The simplest task of picking up groceries, walking up and down stairs requires strength and endurance.  Exercise is required to increase strength and endurance and the proper foods to fuel workouts.  If they are not willing to change set the example as you continue on your journey for a healthy lifestyle.

            If you are having difficulty convincing others to adopt a healthy lifestyle here are a few suggestions to assist with your approach:

JUST DO IT!

            Don’t make an announcement about your changes.   Just start doing it!  Long discussions or brow beating those around you about what they should be doing since you are making changes will not be beneficial.  Set the example by being consistent in your nutrition and exercise.  They will see the changes and be inspired to do the same.  If they ask questions, answer them so they can be informed.   What comes from being the person to breakthrough that barrier is it forces your friends and family to think for themselves about the food they are so offended you wouldn't eat.   When you begin to turn away foods you once indulged in questions will come about why you are making different food choices now.  Casual conversations can lead to a powerful transformation to others.

INTRODUCE HEALTHY MEALS

            Without them realizing it prepare a meal for them including foods you know they already enjoy.  If your family likes chicken and vegetables prepare them without the additional ingredients that take away from their nutrients such as salt, oil, and sauces.  Grill or bake the fish and season appropriately.  Be careful of the marinades used to season your meats.  Christina Dimacali, personal chef, cooking guru and owner of the NoLibs-based cooking school Clean Your Plate, says you shouldn’t marinate chicken for more than 24 hours, especially if your marinade contains an acid (lemon or lime juice, or vinegar). “Just like with seafood, the acid can actually cook the chicken, so you have to be careful about that.”  Many recipes to season and prepare meats are low in calories and sodium.

            Research recipes of healthy meals and snacks and even low calorie and sugar desserts.  Eating healthy can taste good!  It just has to be introduced.

 BE PATIENT WITH THEM           

            From my experiences there is an emotional and psychological aspect to choosing or not choosing a healthy lifestyle.  Eating and exercising generates various emotions.  For example, when people are happy they indulge in their favorite food or beverage to celebrate or will not eat because of stress.  People are hooked on their habits and do not want to let go of the comfort zone their current lifestyle has.  The light bulb goes off for people at different times.  There is not a way to predict what will serve as inspiration.  It can be a doctor's report, television or movies, the mirror, or YOU.  Whenever it does happen be a support system for them and realize that most go through up and downs during the process just you may be doing through now.  Once you make the decision to change your life for the better, the people around you will want a piece of it, especially when they see it working for you.  That is how the cycle works!