Be A Role Model
You must be careful how you walk and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set. - Robert E. Lee, Civil War General
Help yourself achieve your goals by being a healthy role model to your spouse, children, grandchildren, friends and co-workers. Strive to “talk-the-talk” and “walk-the-walk.”
If you wish your children would eat healthier examine what you eat. Are you preparing a vegetable at dinner but not eating it? Do you tell your children they must go out and play but aren’t physically active yourself? In order to live a healthy lifestyle you must do what you preach to others. Ask yourself if you currently encourage a friend or loved one to eat healthier or exercise more? Is this because you feel guilty that you’re not eating as healthy as you would like or not being as active as you would like? Is your guilt causing you to push others? If so, work to change your unhealthy habits and lead by example rather than by pushing others to do what you’re currently not doing.
One of the best ways to succeed at reaching a goal is to ask another individual to join you. Form a walking group at lunch, challenge your spouse to see who can prepare the best tasting and healthiest dinner, ask your children to ride their bikes or go for a walk with you, or try a new way of preparing a vegetable to help you and your family enjoy it.
Setting a healthy example is powerful and can have a ripple affect on your loved ones because they see that you are making time to take care of your health. Share with them how you feel after you succeed at making healthy changes. Your actions are powerful. Explore just how powerful they are by making one lifestyle change this week and see what happens.
Nutrition Tip: Try a new way of preparing vegetables. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut-up a green or red pepper, an onion, 4 large peeled carrots, and 2 potatoes (washed with skins on). Mix together in a glass baking dish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and mix to coat all vegetables. Sprinkle with 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper and 1 – 1 1/2 tsp. of your favorite herb such as ground rosemary or thyme. Bake for 40 – 60 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes. Bake until tender and golden. Enjoy.
