I think it's time for an intervention

[Jupiter]

for my whole family, regarding diet and sedentary lifestyle.

I've read this book called Built to Move, by Kerry and Juliet Starrett, which I've already referenced a few times around here. I've been getting more and more interested in human movement, fitness, durability, etc. I've been lifting weights for years, VERY consistently since 2018, getting my 10k steps every day for about a month, doing a bunch of other agility, cardio, mobility and balance work (not all at once, but gradually more bit by bit), and made two basic diet changes (try to get 800g of produce per day and about .7g/lb of body weight in protein--in my case, that's about 120g). I haven't REALLY tried to eliminate bread and sweets, but I have found that they are less attractive when my stomach is packed with chicken and zucchini, and I HAVE been, very gradually, losing some weight. I've also been trying to get at least 30-60 minutes more sleep per day (I'm still struggling to get 8hr/day, but I'm over 7 at least).

So guys, I am feeling a lot better. And I'm looking at my family and thinking, I need to bring them with me.

My wife probably gets 10k steps a day because she's a classroom assistant for 1st graders, and she eats a fair amount of veggies (not anywhere close to 800 grams though), but she doesn't do any vigorous exercise or any resistance training at all, and she's getting MUCH less protein than recommended. Consequently, I can see her losing muscle mass, and losing strength, as she gets into her 50s. My daughter is REALLY cranking it in high school, studying like mad, and she knows a bit about exercise, but she doesn't feel like she has time to workout these days, and she eats SO much crappy food and monster drinks. Our boy, who's finishing grade 8 now, is umbilically attached to his computer, and a thin-as-a-rail hunched over noodle. He did a bit of sports when younger, but nowadays he's EXTREMELY sedentary...

I'm thinking it's time for a family meeting, and some global fundamental changes in the house. The thing is, nobody else is inspired about this stuff like I am. I don't want to fight and drag everybody kicking and screaming, but I do feel like I have a responsibility as "the Dad" to show some effective leadership for the well-being of my family.

I have plenty of ideas for programmatic changes, but I'm less sure about the logistics of implementing them, and I'm mostly unsure about how to get buy-in.

Does anybody have any smart tips for how to get fundamental changes going in my household? Do we really need to have The Talk, or can I move things in a smoother more indirect way?

 

[TeleTucson]

In my experience, I think "preaching" to them, or even "teaching" them, will not be particularly effective - and could be met with resentment. People can sometimes learn more by example, so maybe what might be more effective is to share or let them see how much better you feel, and that you're impressed that it really works. Or something like that

 

[telleutelleme]

Lead by example. Best you can do.

 

[Milspec]

The difference between a marathoner and a couch potato is very small....just motivation. The problem is that motivation has to come from personal inspiration and nobody can do that for you. In fact, the more you try, the more they will veer away from it.

Lead by example, at some point they might see the benefits in you and decide to make changes. That is the best approach, but if you want to try the short-cut plan, tell them that they couldn't do what you do because you are better. They might find that motivation to prove you wrong. It works well at times, but it can back-fire as well.

I applaud you for the changes, I am struggling to improve myself and not having a lot of success. My goal is to drop 15 lbs by August so that I can ease back into running without all the stress on my knees. My job has me walking 8-12 miles daily, but my diet is poor and I haven't seen more than 5.5 - 6 hours of sleep any given night in years. I wouldn't find 15 lbs all that lofty of a goal, but I don't seem to be making much progress these days.

Good luck on your plan.

 

[Jupiter]

I’m totally on board with the leading by example part, but I also think that a well-timed and artfully crafted nudge can jumpstart things.

 

[teletail]

Well, two things you can control right now is what your daughter eats at home and your son’s computer time.

My buddy actually had a good solution. His freshman high school son was turning into a little pudge butt and my friend told him that he could pick any sport he wanted, but he was going to participate in something. The kid started with running and hated it, then switched to rowing and loved it. He actually started hitting the gym of his own volition and became quite fit.

 

[ndcaster]

for my whole family, regarding diet and sedentary lifestyle.

I've read this book called Built to Move, by Kerry and Juliet Starrett, which I've already referenced a few times around here. I've been getting more and more interested in human movement, fitness, durability, etc. I've been lifting weights for years, VERY consistently since 2018, getting my 10k steps every day for about a month, doing a bunch of other agility, cardio, mobility and balance work (not all at once, but gradually more bit by bit), and made two basic diet changes (try to get 800g of produce per day and about .7g/lb of body weight in protein--in my case, that's about 120g). I haven't REALLY tried to eliminate bread and sweets, but I have found that they are less attractive when my stomach is packed with chicken and zucchini, and I HAVE been, very gradually, losing some weight. I've also been trying to get at least 30-60 minutes more sleep per day (I'm still struggling to get 8hr/day, but I'm over 7 at least).

So guys, I am feeling a lot better. And I'm looking at my family and thinking, I need to bring them with me.

My wife probably gets 10k steps a day because she's a classroom assistant for 1st graders, and she eats a fair amount of veggies (not anywhere close to 800 grams though), but she doesn't do any vigorous exercise or any resistance training at all, and she's getting MUCH less protein than recommended. Consequently, I can see her losing muscle mass, and losing strength, as she gets into her 50s. My daughter is REALLY cranking it in high school, studying like mad, and she knows a bit about exercise, but she doesn't feel like she has time to workout these days, and she eats SO much crappy food and monster drinks. Our boy, who's finishing grade 8 now, is umbilically attached to his computer, and a thin-as-a-rail hunched over noodle. He did a bit of sports when younger, but nowadays he's EXTREMELY sedentary...

I'm thinking it's time for a family meeting, and some global fundamental changes in the house. The thing is, nobody else is inspired about this stuff like I am. I don't want to fight and drag everybody kicking and screaming, but I do feel like I have a responsibility as "the Dad" to show some effective leadership for the well-being of my family.

I have plenty of ideas for programmatic changes, but I'm less sure about the logistics of implementing them, and I'm mostly unsure about how to get buy-in.

Does anybody have any smart tips for how to get fundamental changes going in my household? Do we really need to have The Talk, or can I move things in a smoother more indirect way?

wow, this hits home

I'm the second-fittest in my family and extended family (after my daughter), and I approach this topic carefully in some ways and brutally in others

brutally in terms of what I will never buy in grocery stores, and carefully regarding exercise

I started some easy chair yoga stuff for fun because it's only 15 min in the early morning -- if it goes well, I'll invite my wife in

 

[imwjl]

for my whole family, regarding diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Does anybody have any smart tips for how to get fundamental changes going in my household? Do we really need to have The Talk, or can I move things in a smoother more indirect way?

We never imposed a particular activity or diet except to give it a try but mandated that our kids had to be active and eat well. If anything worked for activity or school or good kids it was being consistent and really meaning what we said. It seemed like many we know and observed did not have that consistency and really mean it aspect.

With time and age we let volunteering or physical jobs count for activities too. Volunteering is really good because they see good examples in others and not their parents at them.

We didn't get kids so much like us or with same interests as many parents seem or wish, but they're all doing fine in their own ways.

Good luck.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

you cant change someone unless they want to change

 

[Refugee]

Take over the grocery shopping. Usually plain old laziness of not wanting to go and get something, they'll just eat what's there.

 

[Trenchant63]

for my whole family, regarding diet and sedentary lifestyle.

I've read this book called Built to Move, by Kerry and Juliet Starrett, which I've already referenced a few times around here. I've been getting more and more interested in human movement, fitness, durability, etc. I've been lifting weights for years, VERY consistently since 2018, getting my 10k steps every day for about a month, doing a bunch of other agility, cardio, mobility and balance work (not all at once, but gradually more bit by bit), and made two basic diet changes (try to get 800g of produce per day and about .7g/lb of body weight in protein--in my case, that's about 120g). I haven't REALLY tried to eliminate bread and sweets, but I have found that they are less attractive when my stomach is packed with chicken and zucchini, and I HAVE been, very gradually, losing some weight. I've also been trying to get at least 30-60 minutes more sleep per day (I'm still struggling to get 8hr/day, but I'm over 7 at least).

So guys, I am feeling a lot better. And I'm looking at my family and thinking, I need to bring them with me.

My wife probably gets 10k steps a day because she's a classroom assistant for 1st graders, and she eats a fair amount of veggies (not anywhere close to 800 grams though), but she doesn't do any vigorous exercise or any resistance training at all, and she's getting MUCH less protein than recommended. Consequently, I can see her losing muscle mass, and losing strength, as she gets into her 50s. My daughter is REALLY cranking it in high school, studying like mad, and she knows a bit about exercise, but she doesn't feel like she has time to workout these days, and she eats SO much crappy food and monster drinks. Our boy, who's finishing grade 8 now, is umbilically attached to his computer, and a thin-as-a-rail hunched over noodle. He did a bit of sports when younger, but nowadays he's EXTREMELY sedentary...

I'm thinking it's time for a family meeting, and some global fundamental changes in the house. The thing is, nobody else is inspired about this stuff like I am. I don't want to fight and drag everybody kicking and screaming, but I do feel like I have a responsibility as "the Dad" to show some effective leadership for the well-being of my family.

I have plenty of ideas for programmatic changes, but I'm less sure about the logistics of implementing them, and I'm mostly unsure about how to get buy-in.

Does anybody have any smart tips for how to get fundamental changes going in my household? Do we really need to have The Talk, or can I move things in a smoother more indirect way?

They’ve go to want it for themselves - you will not be able to compel them from without. Your best bet is them seeing your results and wanting that too.

 

[maxvintage]

I don't exercise enough. I have a screwed up knee which makes it doubly hard. But you can't really exercise enough. It's constantly escalating and there are vasts amounts of moral scolding around exercise.

I've written two books in the last five years, one puboshed, one in process, and I'm deep into another one. When I'm dead, those books will be in libraries, but the number of miles I walked won't be. I can't really have both, that's the thing. Reading and researching and writing are sedentary activities. Everything has a cost. Not exercising has a cost, exercising a lot has a cost

 

[Alex_C]

A simple rule: Don't bring junk food into your home. If someone wants to eat some junk, they need to go out and eat it. This works for most people, the exception are people who eat out most of the time. Another thing to try is a meatless/dairy free day each week. Don't eat junk on that day. It'll seem impossible at first, but the Internet is full of healthy animal free meal how-to videos.

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

I don't know about everyone else, but in my circles, "diet" simply means punishing your dinner guests against their will.

 

[Mjark]

Do we really need to have The Talk, or can I move things in a smoother more indirect way?
[/QUOTE]

Just be an example.

 

[ZackyDog]

An average person has a stride length of approximately 2.1 to 2.5 feet. That means that it takes over 2,000 steps to walk one mile and 10,000 steps would be almost 5 miles.
@Jupiter

 

[johnny k]

5 miles is about 8 kms, it is not so bad really ?

 

[Jupiter]

An average person has a stride length of approximately 2.1 to 2.5 feet. That means that it takes over 2,000 steps to walk one mile and 10,000 steps would be almost 5 miles.
@Jupiter

Yes, yes it is.

Takes a bit over an hour. If I walk for mebbe 40 minutes at lunch, I get the rest just hiking upstairs to my classroom on the third floor several times a day and doing household chores.

 

[Jupiter]

I don't know about everyone else, but in my circles, "diet" simply means punishing your dinner guests against their will.

Not at my house. If you eat 50 grams of protein and 300 grams of fruits and veggies, you’ll be plenty full I promise

 

[Jupiter]

I don't exercise enough. I have a screwed up knee which makes it doubly hard. But you can't really exercise enough. It's constantly escalating and there are vasts amounts of moral scolding around exercise.

I've written two books in the last five years, one puboshed, one in process, and I'm deep into another one. When I'm dead, those books will be in libraries, but the number of miles I walked won't be. I can't really have both, that's the thing. Reading and researching and writing are sedentary activities. Everything has a cost. Not exercising has a cost, exercising a lot has a cost

Exercising a bit might help ya live long enough to get another book out. A standing desk and a wobble board would make a surprising difference I bet.

You absolutely can exercise enough to improve your quality of life. Just takes a bit of jiggering with habits.