ChAnginG UR CuLture

We all set out to make a difference in the world, but the first step is to achieve the less lofty goal of changing your own world. - T.D. Jakes

The past year brought some great innovative ideas for living well.

• The white house initiated healthier food choices for school lunch programs. 
• The First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on children's television promoting her Lets Move campaign. 
• The state of Iowa and others promoted  state wide initiatives targeting obesity. 
• The NBA and NFL promoted their FIT and 60 programs in cities across the country. 

Have you heard about any of these programs? Are you and your family participating in any of them? These programs have been effective in getting some communities to recognize the rising obesity rates and need for physical activity, but rarely do programs like these reach us on a personal level. If we truly want to witness change in our communities or be apart of the change happening in those around us, the issues have to become personal to us. We must be willing to identify the need in our families, our children, and our home. We have to be unafraid to challenge and change the unhealthy culture WE HELPED CREATE in our homes. 

As parents we are responsible for setting the tone in our homes and for the most part we have created a monstrous sound.  Melodies would be more harmonious if we had given them an apple instead of cookies or assisting them in a game of jump rope instead of watching cartoons. Initiating healthy habits are easier to implement when children are younger. They become a little more challenging when you are trying to figure them out for yourself and others.  Some of us on the other hand started off heading in the right direction, but somewhere along the lines things got off track. Chips became the favorite after school snack while fruit is rarely consumed. There is only thing you can do if this is the case and that's change the culture of your home.  

Initiating a healthy change is not easy because it requires more of that thing we have so little of  - TIME.  It takes time to alter or redirect behaviors especially your own, but think of it this way 'this change is necessary for the health of my family and the well-being of our home'. Be sure to use your time wisely by preparing a plan of action that includes a time to create, prepare, gather, and implement. I have listed some tips below that can start you thinking about small simple changes.

Create – make a creative plan or competition for the family. Something inviting, helpful, and fun that will promote exercise, fitness, and nutritious eating.  For example you could try keeping a diagram of who consumes the most fruit and vegetable servings per week.  Hang the diagram on the refrigerator. It is sure to serve as a reminder when reaching for snacks.  Taking time to be creative may take a little time but the benefits are amazing.
For all healthy eating information go to www.myplate.gov be sure to print off a plate to hang on your refrigerator – visual reminders are the best.

Prepare – Know in advance what you want the outcome to be. You don’t want to take the time being creative only to have the healthy activity end in frustration because is not producing the results you want.  Your activity should lead up to your end goal. If my goal is to become more physically active throughout the day then I should consider standing while performing my work instead of sitting at my desk all day. Maybe I could exercise between the commercial breaks of my favorite TV program (definitely might eliminate the sudden refrigerator raid).  If you need some exercise ideas take a look at these previous posts:

http://www.bwela.blogspot.com/2012_02_13_archive.html

http://www.bwela.blogspot.com/2012_02_19_archive.html

http://www.bwela.blogspot.com/2012_02_27_archive.html

http://www.bwela.blogspot.com/2012_03_04_archive.html

http://www.bwela.blogspot.com/2012_03_11_archive.html

Gather – Gather everyone you need and make sure they are on board. Getting others involved on most occasions will be easy especially if they are your children. Our children are motivated to do almost anything with us. My children enjoy the moments I turn the music up loud and dance. It only takes them a few seconds to join in. However, I do have one child at that pre-teen age that sometimes (well most of the time) needs just a little bit of prompting, prodding, and even some pushing to join in.  It’s good to transfer the concept of 'togetherness' or 'living healthy together' to our children. I believe it makes it easier to invite others on their wellness journey as adults.  However, if you decide on going solo let someone know your plans. It’s good to have support and accountability.

Implement – “Just Do It”- NIKE.  Do it today and tomorrow and the day after that.  If you miss a day do it the following day. If you miss a few days you have not failed.  If you decide to take a break or cut it short just go longer the next day. If you made the least healthful choices yesterday, just know you get a re-do today to perfect your culture. Keep at it! 

“You’ve never failed until you’ve tried for the last time, and you’ve never lost until you quit”  

-S. Massie.

Let 2013 become the year you take on a new innovative idea that will change the culture of your home.

Mrs Nez