How do I get my family on board?

Having the talk...

Let me just start off by saying that I am super excited to write blog posts that not just pertain to individuals getting healthy but really making it easier for the family.  I hope that these posts help and inspire you to pursue a healthy lifestyle, not just for you but the whole family.  

With this first post I thought it was necessary to start at the very beginning.  How to get the family on board.  I know this isn't always easy.  Here are some tips that I hope make it an easier transition for you.  

My Crew :)

Mindset.  

This is serious business.  Switching to a healthy lifestyle might sound easy but depending on what your diet looks like right now it can be a rough transition for the whole family. My aim is that this post will ease the process but your mindset has to be fully committed.  There are going to be times when its just easy to pick up fast food or give the kids chips as a snack but in your mind you have to weigh the long term effects.  What are we setting our children up for?  Do we want them to have the same issues we had with body image growing up?  Do we want them running from fad diet to fad diet trying to find a quick fix?  No.  We want to give them the knowledge they need to make the right choices.  As parents we have that power now.  We can start grooming that into them.  Its going to take a committed mindset.  A mindset that knows WHY this is so important. 

A great way to keep in the forefront of WHY this is important to you is to write it or find a quote that summarizes it then post it somewhere you will see it everyday.  So when you are not motivated or feeling frustrated you will remember WHY you're doing this.... because its bigger than YOU!  

 

Communicate.  

It sounds simple enough right?  Talk it out.  

Really though, bring the family together to have a sit down talk.  A talk coming from the heart about why you want this so badly. Let them know why you think its important.  This is what I have always done with my children.  My daughter is now 5 years old and knows how her body feels different after junk food.  We talk about it and because we communicate about food choices, I have seen her turn down chocolate because she really didn't want her belly to hurt.  I have also been told that she makes healthy choices at class parties.  I was a little shocked by that second statement but then as I thought about it I realized our kids truly listen to us.  The more we talk about the importance choosing the right foods, the more they will make the right decisions when we are not there to make it for them.  We have already set the example.  

Set a goal for the family.  I love how Lisa Leake of 100 Days of Real Food did this.  As a family they made a goal of 100 days but you could start with 30 days.  Then decide on a reward as a family for when you complete it.  I really feel that if you sit down with the family, share from the heart,  explain the importance and why its important to you, you won't be perceived wrongly.  

Also know that this does not have to be an all or nothing.  Maybe try changing just 1 thing every week.  As a family decide on the things you want to change.  The more involvement with the family the more likely they will support this new journey.

Make it Fun.  

Get the kids involved.  Have them grocery shopping with you and let them pick out some produce that they like.  Have them looking up recipes to try.  Have them cooking in the kitchen with you.  The more involved with the process, the more apt they are to trying new things.  Take meals you're already making now and just clean them up a bit so its not completely new.  Also, check out your local farmers markets.  Give the kids a reusable bag and some money.  Let them pick out the produce they want to try using the money.  Gets them seeing what is locally produced, trying new things, and learning to budget!  Get 

creative! 

Anna helping me in the kitchen 

There will be bumps in the road...

Something I have learned on my journey, is to stay positive.  Encourage your kids to try new foods.  If they try it and don't like it, don't get discouraged or be upset with them.  Thank them for trying it - be really enthusiastic about the fact that they did that.  Explain to them how you will try cooking it a different way and see if they like it like that.  I find that being honest and upfront with my kids and their experiences really adds an added trust with them and makes them feel apart of the journey.  Always stay positive.  

My kids don't always like all the veggies I cook so I try to get creative in my attempts to get them to eat it.  Last night I told my daughter that the asparagus would give her stinky pee.  Of course she had to test this theory out - mom win! :)  I know my son (1 year old) looks up to my daughter and she is a great eater.  So there are times that when I want him to eat something I show him how Anna likes it, and she will tell him how its so good.  It usually makes him at least try it and 9 times out of 10 if I can just get him to taste it, he will continue to eat it.  

I also wanted to point out, don't feel discouraged if your kids are older.  You can still be successful with a switch to a healthy lifestyle even if you didn't start your kids off with it when they were young.  It's never too late!  You can still plant the seeds giving them knowledge for the future.  It's never to late to start.  The time is NOW!  If you need help, please contact me, but I feel as you go through this blog post you will have a great start to your journey.  

Be Consistent.  

We as parents are role models.  Our kids are looking to us for guidance and that includes our diet.  We only have 1 body in this lifetime, we need to take care of it.  Our society has gotten carried away with convenience.  I know we live busy lives but we should make our family's health a priority. 

 

But what if that doesn't work.. 

Say your hubby or kids don't want any part of it.  Be the leader and they will follow.  I have had countless challengers that had families that wouldn't join in, but as they saw their wife's success, that she was feeling great.. the hubby would join in too.  The more the kids saw the mom eating carrots.. they eventually wanted to try it.  It takes willpower and it takes consistency but they are watching, and they will come around :) 

They come around eventually :)