Healthy living. It's not just about you, is it? Nope. It's a family affair.
Two headlines today caught my attention - both having to do with family health. That is, depending on who happens to make up your family! ;-)
As you read, consider this basic question. If it's true that each of us models healthy living with our day-to-day behavior, how are we doing? Not you personally. [You're reading this article, right? And other things like it? If so, you're ahead of the pack already!]
Not you, but the culture around us. How are we doing?
Mom, Dad & the Kids
If you're the mom or dad, you probably know that the kids follow your lead when it comes to basic lifestyle habits. This is great if you're the kind of parent that loves to munch on fresh veggies straight from your organic garden. Which you've prepared and tended yourself. Followed by a brisk walk in the fresh air.
Not so great if you dine on drive-thru take-out 6 nights out of 7 and spend your leisure time in front of the tube.
With that in mind, I've noticed a trend toward thinking that kids are naturally resilient to the effects of poor diet and little exercise. "They're kids," so the thinking goes. "Kids don't have to worry about nutrition. They're just kids."
The other view, of course, says that proper nutrition provides the building blocks kids need to create a strong, healthy body that will carry them through life without a hitch.
Who's right? Well, that's not my call. I could offer an opinion, but not being a nutritionist, it would be out of line. So instead, let's bring in an expert. Just today, I found an interesting expert opinion on high cholesterol in kids. Check it out here: Dr. Margolis on Kids and Cholesterol.
Bring on Fido & Fluffy
But wait, there's more! It's not just the kids that follow your lead. Your behavior also generates the health of your family pet.
Fido sits home bored all day? Fluffy naps lazily on the couch while you're at work? Ahhh, the life of luxury. After all, the natural cat or dog would be out scavenging for tasty morsels in the wild. And getting a lot more exercise.
This one's great! Read up on "Fat Cats" in this article by Sally Squires of the Washington Post.
Gotcher Tacos?
As a little PS, I just noticed a new marketing campaign by our friends over at Taco Bell. Perhaps you've seen it. "Fourthmeal: The Meal Between Dinner & Breakfast." [3 aren't enough?]
So what do you think? Could we be doing more (as a culture, not you personally) to model healthy living? Or are we doing OK?
This is a serious question. I'm not talking about you specifically. Rather the culture around you. Are we good healthy living models? If not, what gets in the way? Leave a comment & let us know!
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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Comments (2)
As I go about my days and weeks, I keep noticing that serving sizes get larger and larger. In fact when I go out to eat with others, we frequently order 1 meal and share with another, and there is enough food. Even at my place of employment; the 8 oz cup is gone, its either 12 or 16. and the cup of soup it gone. Only a bowl is available. Subtle items, but a change to increase the serving size. When it comes to food,we don't do so well. Then there is the "too busy" sickness. Too busy to cook up healthy food and time for healthy exercise. We have "too" much to do and yet, health is vital for living.
Posted by marita | September 13, 2006 5:35 AM
Posted on September 13, 2006 05:35
Thanks for your observations, Marita!
Posted by Elizabeth | September 13, 2006 11:48 AM
Posted on September 13, 2006 11:48