Healthy Living—as an Example to Others

For many people, the catalyst for losing excess weight is rooted in their loved ones. Perhaps they want the stamina to keep up with their energetic young children. Maybe they want to run a 5k for a cause close to their heart. Or it could be they just want to feel their best selves so they can live their best lives for their loved ones.

The people we love can be great motivators for switching to healthier living. But you may be surprised to find just how much of an impact your positive actions and healthy habits may have on your loved ones. 


Self-Confidence is Contagious 
People who have successfully lost weight sometimes say that the people around them notice their change in energy and confidence. They don’t just see your shrinking waistline or slimming face. They pay attention to the whole package.

So how you talk about your healthy lifestyle and what actions you take matter. Focus on the positive—instead of mentioning your diet restrictions, bring up your increased energy or the better sleep you’ve been having. Talk about your health goals and maybe even help them develop their own goal or two. 

When speaking about weight loss, fill it with self-love and not self-hate. Avoid negative self-talk at all costs. By centering health and leading by example, we can help create a positive foundation for a healthy lifestyle—you may find that your journey is an inspiration for others.


Ways to Bring Your Community In
Some of our unhealthy habits, such as yo-yo dieting and negative body talk, may have been subconsciously learned from our parents or others close to us. In this way, we can break that cycle, pass on healthy habits, and help build a healthier life for our loved ones. 

One way to do this is to help your family and the people around you become more mindful of their food. By bringing them in to help with meal prep and meal planning, they can begin to be part of the journey. Let a different family member pick a new fruit or vegetable to try each week in a healthy recipe.

Especially if you are the cook of your family, it’s important to not always make yourself something separate and lower-calorie than your family. This can make you look (and feel) like an outsider. Instead, cook the same types of foods your family is used to, but “healthify” them with subtle food swaps and eat smaller portions for yourself. 

For example, have a taco night with lean ground turkey, black beans, and whole-wheat tortillas. Takeout pizza orders can become homemade pizza nights with whole-wheat flatbreads, low-fat cheese, and lots of veggie toppings (and pineapple, if you’re into that). 

Similarly, working out with friends and family can make it more enjoyable and helps keep you accountable. Grab an exercise buddy and get ready to explore new activities together, like hiking, dancing, or a fun dance fitness class. Or just turn up the music in the living room and have a family dance party.


When Others Aren’t Ready for Your Shine
You may also find that some people you are close to don’t react positively to your improved self-esteem and may roll their eyes at your diet changes. As difficult as it may be, try to extend patience to them. Remember that everyone is on a different journey. Some people may not be ready to come to terms with their own issues around weight and health, and this can come out as speaking negatively about your lifestyle changes. 

It works both ways, though. Don’t judge others or what they eat—remember you probably didn’t like it when people did it to you. Also, don’t be obsessive when you talk about your healthy lifestyle changes. Not only is it not healthy, it can be annoying! You don’t need to share how many grams of protein you’re aiming for each day (unless someone specifically asks). 

Remember, people are more likely to be inspired by seeing your healthy habits in action than by you telling them what to do. Incorporate more movement into your daily routine, suggest taking walks to catch up, or try a new healthy recipe and send it to the group chat.

By embodying healthy habits and creating a supportive environment, you can be your own kind of health influencer! When our community is healthier, we’re all healthier.

CON-2073-001 5/24