But if you’re the dad, you have some leverage with house rules.
Things like doing the shopping, making the breakfast, working out with the kids, requiring some kind of activity—totally within my jurisdiction.
I think it's time for an intervention
- Thread starter Jupiter
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Things like doing the shopping, making the breakfast, working out with the kids, requiring some kind of activity—totally within my jurisdiction.
Here’s the kind of thing I’m thinking about: I’m going to build a mini portable slack line and challenge my kids to standing on it for a minute on each foot.
Who's your edditer?
nvilletele
Friend of Leo's
Beat ‘em.
Beat ‘em up. Get up earlier.
Beat ‘em running. Get out there and do it.
set the example, like others have said.
But, more seriously, have you considered using a whip? Loud siren blasts at 3am followed by some targeted whacks of a bullwhip can be great motivation.
(Ask me how.)
Beat ‘em up. Get up earlier.
Beat ‘em running. Get out there and do it.
set the example, like others have said.
But, more seriously, have you considered using a whip? Loud siren blasts at 3am followed by some targeted whacks of a bullwhip can be great motivation.
(Ask me how.)
I have what might seem like a kind of hot take about this:
Leading by example is basically the LEAST you can do. Effective leaders do a LOT more than that. I already know that as a MS/HS teacher and coach--I'm not claiming to BE an effective teacher (well okay, yeah I am), but I do know what one has to do in that context.
You have to start with a vision of where you want people to be, sell that vision, facilitate change, etc. etc.
So what I'm looking for is specific techniques/hacks/steps to lead my little tribe in the right direction.
Leading by example is basically the LEAST you can do. Effective leaders do a LOT more than that. I already know that as a MS/HS teacher and coach--I'm not claiming to BE an effective teacher (well okay, yeah I am), but I do know what one has to do in that context.
You have to start with a vision of where you want people to be, sell that vision, facilitate change, etc. etc.
So what I'm looking for is specific techniques/hacks/steps to lead my little tribe in the right direction.
Whatizitman
Poster Extraordinaire
Honestly? I think the single most thing that will bring a family closer to at least nudging toward health goals is to eat dinner together. At home. Cooking and preparing together. And not just once in a while. Most evenings. Routine.
It’s not a simple task to accomplish for many families. Particularly families with kids in sports, dance, band, etc… Or competing work schedules. Or kids who are either very socially active, or maybe just avoid family. And in every family there are unspoken rules about eating for good or bad that aren’t addressed, that can in turn make eating together a nightmare. And then there are picky eaters. Not just kids, mind you.
I could go on and on. It’s a topic my wife and I know well both personally and professionally. My kids were all of the above. But we still managed to have dinner together throughout their childhood.
As young adults they can shop and cook for themselves. And they tend to eat fairly healthy because of it. Neither likes fast food. My son at least continues to exercise regularly. My daughter is on the autism spectrum and severely ADHD, so her eating behaviors (sensory), sleeping, and activity (lack thereof) are always going to be an issue, regardless. But I can say without a doubt that family dinner time made things far better for her in the long run.
It’s not a simple task to accomplish for many families. Particularly families with kids in sports, dance, band, etc… Or competing work schedules. Or kids who are either very socially active, or maybe just avoid family. And in every family there are unspoken rules about eating for good or bad that aren’t addressed, that can in turn make eating together a nightmare. And then there are picky eaters. Not just kids, mind you.
I could go on and on. It’s a topic my wife and I know well both personally and professionally. My kids were all of the above. But we still managed to have dinner together throughout their childhood.
As young adults they can shop and cook for themselves. And they tend to eat fairly healthy because of it. Neither likes fast food. My son at least continues to exercise regularly. My daughter is on the autism spectrum and severely ADHD, so her eating behaviors (sensory), sleeping, and activity (lack thereof) are always going to be an issue, regardless. But I can say without a doubt that family dinner time made things far better for her in the long run.
Yep, this is one thing we are pretty good about. My daughter is mighty busy with her schoolwork and sometimes gives us a little flak about coming down to eat when she’s in a groove, but she understands that it’s a high priority.
thescarecrow
Tele-Meister
As mentioned earlier, eating meals together is big.
Something my wife and I have been doing since around 2011 is cycling. I started, then she got kinda interested. Now, she is a better cyclist than I am. Her endurance is much better. Finding an active hobby that the whole family can do might be a direction to look into. Cycling, kayaking, hiking, golf (or that frisbee golf thing) anything to get them outside and moving would be a success, or at least, a nice start.
Good luck!
Something my wife and I have been doing since around 2011 is cycling. I started, then she got kinda interested. Now, she is a better cyclist than I am. Her endurance is much better. Finding an active hobby that the whole family can do might be a direction to look into. Cycling, kayaking, hiking, golf (or that frisbee golf thing) anything to get them outside and moving would be a success, or at least, a nice start.
Good luck!
Yeah, I'm still searching for the thing. The boy will go running with me, and he already shreds me going uphill cuz he's half my weight and a quarter my age, but the girl HATES distance running and my wife seems to hate getting tired in general: I can't seem to get her interested in all the dumbbells and barbells and resistance bands and stuff lying around the house, and I don't think she's gone running since badminton club back in college. She's active in her job and doing chores around the house (she probably gets 8000 steps a day), but she's still losing muscle mass and bone density now that she's over 50. Maybe I can get her interested in rucking...
Typo?
My wife does several dance classes a week: tap, hip-hop, burlesque and jazz. They're fun, and she likes the other women in the classes. Running is so-oo boring.
Dostradamas
Friend of Leo's
You have to start with a vision of where you want people to be, sell that vision, facilitate change, etc. etc.
And ignore...
unfortunately I do not get your point
Nope! But now that you mention it....
What is Rucking?
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I'm searching for a great rucksack now; currently interested in this one
Good luck mate. I'm in exactly the same situation as you and our families sound like the same age and activity level. Basically I am the only one who does any concious exercise and my wife and kids won't even walk the dog.
I've had the chat (multiple times) and it only leads to arguments. They have to be motivated by change and start new habits themselves, and it's unlikely that talks from you will make any difference.
The thing with kids is, unless both parents are super active there is a tendency for them to take the "easy' option by taking the side of the inactive parent, without knowing what the long term implications are.
(Edit) I actually read the rest of your thread and see that you family are several steps ahead if me, e.g your kids go running with you, mine don't So my advice, just keep doing what you are doing and be thankful for what you have.
A bit about me- ex watersports coach, active outdoors person, . Been trying to bring my family song for the ride for years. Nope that's not happening
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Yeah, I dunno the answer, but it does seem like things are shifting a little bit here. People eating a bit more protein and veggies, moving a little bit more, etc.Good luck mate. I'm in exactly the same situation as you and our families sound like the same age and activity level. Basically I am the only one who does any concious exercise and my wife and kids won't even walk the dog.
I've had the chat (multiple times) and it only leads to arguments. They have to be motivated by change and start new habits themselves, and it's unlikely that talks from you will make any difference.
The thing with kids is, unless both parents are super active there is a tendency for them to take the "easy' option by taking the side of the inactive parent, without knowing what the long term implications are.
(Edit) I actually read the rest of your thread and see that you family are several steps ahead if me, e.g your kids go running with you, mine don't So my advice, just keep doing what you are doing and be thankful for what you have.
A bit about me- ex watersports coach, active outdoors person, . Been trying to bring my family song for the ride for years. Nope that's not happening
Happy Enchilada
Poster Extraordinaire
I've been hitting the gym 3x a week for years.
Cardio, weights, etc.
My wife who I dearly love and wouldn't trade for Joe Bonamassa's collection, OTOH,
doesn't go for walks even. Nothin'.
She works around the house and tends her garden and seems OK.
Her bowels work and she sleeps well, so she's points ahead of me.
So good luck trying to get people motivated to exercise.
Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't hold its head under until the bubbles stop coming up.
Cardio, weights, etc.
My wife who I dearly love and wouldn't trade for Joe Bonamassa's collection, OTOH,
doesn't go for walks even. Nothin'.
She works around the house and tends her garden and seems OK.
Her bowels work and she sleeps well, so she's points ahead of me.
So good luck trying to get people motivated to exercise.
Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't hold its head under until the bubbles stop coming up.
Huh, I would’ve thought that is one thing you COULD do…
Sparky2
Poster Extraordinaire
I'm with the majority.
Lead by example.
Don't be the one to bring sweets into the house.
Reward excellence in a general sense.
Never, ever reward mediocrity.
But don't preach a lean diet and fitness to an unwilling, disinterested audience.
Lead by example.
Don't be the one to bring sweets into the house.
Reward excellence in a general sense.
Never, ever reward mediocrity.
But don't preach a lean diet and fitness to an unwilling, disinterested audience.
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