“Every time I stay home on a Fri. eve 2 do a little extra work, I realize that stopping obesity really is an overwhelming task. Wanna help?
”
The number and sincerity of the responses – responses I never expected to get – happily overwhelmed me! There I was trying to catch up on emails: interviews, my mentorship of a teenage girl, and articles on how our country is getting more obese, not less, when I decided to post the Tweet and take a break. But then my Blackberry started going crazy, buzzing and blinking with responses from you.
“How?” … “Sure” … “I’d be glad to lend a hand in any way possible” … “Any way I can: … WOW.
Since any response to your Tweet offers would take more than 140 characters, I have made that response my inaugural blog with a list of ways that we can all try and help. I know these are small steps but small steps really do make a difference. So if you can do even one of the below, you can make a difference.
And if you have other ideas or things that have worked for you, I’d love to see your comments!!!
For everyone
· Instead of “Donut Fridays” or unhealthy birthday celebrations at work, offer to make or bring a healthy, decadent alternative or just add a healthy option. (At Muscle & Fitness, I used to make or get a small-ish cake and then pick up Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches for birthdays. On “Donut Friday,” I would get a box of donuts holes and make a platter of fresh fruit, healthier muffins, or my Cinnabon’s from “Fast Food Fix”.)
· Instead of meeting a friend for a drink when all you really want is to catch up, go for a walk, go bowling (skip the beer) or shoot hoops. It’s a great way to enjoy your friend while burning calories instead of consuming empty ones.
· Park your car in the first spot you see, not the closest. Every little bit of activity helps. This is a particularly great way to get your passengers (ie: somewhat sedentary husband, wife or children) moving a bit too without being a Nagging Nellie or Ned.
· Keep healthy snacks in your car to avoid the quick fix or drive-thru. Our brains tend work more logically when our tummies aren’t on empty.
For families, especially those with kids
· Commit to “playing” outdoors with your children (the beach, a game of catch, etc) at least one more day a week than you’re currently doing. Take them to the beach and play paddle ball or badminton in the summer or sledding in the winter.
· Invite your child’s friends for those outings, especially if they are overweight.
· Keep a platter of cut-up fruits and veggies and a low fat dip in the front of or next to the refrigerator when the kids come home. (Keep the cookie jar out of sight).
· Plant a garden of herbs or veggies, get your children and the neighborhood children involved. Kids are more willing to eat “green” if they helped create it.
· Take a few healthy versions of usually unhealthy recipes to a PTA meeting or to your child’s teacher and do a presentation on how great healthy food can be and do a tasting. Get the kids and teachers involved to inspire and motivate them to find their own versions! (My high school now actually has a Home Ec class called, “Fast Food Fix” named after my cookbook – I am SO honored – but any GOOD healthy recipes will do.)
· Create a “Healthy Decadent Dinner Club” with 3-4 other busy families where each commits to cooking one night per week for everyone (essentially one night a week for each family – check out recipes here http://tinyurl.com/66wcob) – avoid the drive-thru and save money too!
· Take fun, healthy snacks to the pool or your kids’ sporting events – baked versions of and whole grain chips and crackers, wedges of fruit, or light string cheese. I know a mom who takes turkey hotdogs in a thermos and whole grain hot dog buns and the kids gooble them up.
· Instead of ordering the pizza for a birthday party, have the kids make their own – it’s fun, saves money, and you can use lighter ingredients for any of the toppings!
