So Many NSVs, So Little Time

jennifurballs

Besides the looking better, feeling so much better, all my clothes are too big, gaining muscle, the dreaded skin, and lots of people congratulating me and telling what a great thing I'm doing, there are two more that bear mentioning.

My 14 year old son, who had about 10 lbs. he could do without, has lost 7 of it, his waist has gone from a 33 to a 31, and he's gained all kinds of muscle, and more importantly, self-confidence.

My Mom, who has been severely depressed, severely alcoholic and a heavy smoker for 30 years, has quit smoking, slowed WAY down on her scotch, started walking 20 minutes every day, and has been logging in MFP every day. She's still a hot mess when it comes to depression and she still drinks way too much, but at least she's quit smoking and is making an effort.

Have others in your life been inspired by your changes?

GrammyPeachy

My 16 year old daughter weighed 152 back in June, she now weighs 130!!! She is so happy with herself!
My 14 year old has cut way down on her junk food and my husband has started going on walks with me and is planning on buying us bikes for our favorite trails!!! (He doesn't even need to lose any weight.)

Rachelwin65

My team at work has been motivated to join me on this quest for good health. One has a fitbit and is tracking here on MFP! We are all losing weight and exercising and encouraging one another every day. It has been GREAT to have fellow travelers on the journey!

fitfatty88

That's so awesome!

My boss at work was the kind of guy who claimed he only had one 20 oz diet coke a day but in reality he would start drinking diet coke at 6:30 in the morning (ugh) and finish at least three by 5PM. He'd see me drinking water out of my nalgene all day and asked me about not drinking pop anymore. I gave it up I think my...sophomore year of college? So about 5 years ago. I explained to him how he'd feel like garbage for 10 days while his body figured out what to do without the artificial sugar and eventually his headaches would go away. He tried and now he's been over a month without any pop! He will occasionally drink those Aquafina Flavor Splash things which are horrible but most of the time it's just water :happy: .

That mentality traveled to our admin we have 2 days a week. She would just drink cup after cup of coffee and never drink water. Now, water is all she drinks unless she has the occasional cup of tea. Feels nice to help up peoples water game. :drinker: Stay thirsty my friends!

jennifurballs

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Cherirana, Rachelwin & Fitfatty!

DAM5412

You guys are so inspiring...so many times we (even us mothers) get so internally focused when it comes to our weight management issues, that we don't have the awareness of how we could also be helping our families. I can claim this a little bit, as over the past few weeks I've realized how making separate meals and squeezing in my workouts early morning (before the kids are even awake), may not be the best things. My 14 yo daughter is aware of the efforts I'm making to be healthier, but has yet to apply anything to her own lifestyle (because, obviously, she's invincible at that age, and particularly gorgeous if I do say so myself)...but as for my husband who is a former athlete who now smokes and spends 80% of his time in front of a TV weeknights and weekends, yet talks about being healthier for our kids...hmm....

Any insight on how you were able to motivate/include your family members? for me, I think the big thing is going to be modifying their diets as I control 90% of what they eat...but appreciate any help/tricks!

jennifurballs

Dam,

I made my food and if my son didn't want it, he'd make himself something else. Since I really enjoy food, my new food is pretty tasty, so he'd often eat whatever I was eating. If not, I keep turkey around for him to make sandwiches or he'll eat one of my grilled chicken breasts with some pasta instead. I never talked to my son or my mom, other than when asked. My son asked me early on what exercise he could do to lose weight and I told him to add 30 minutes of cardio to his workout. It was a while before he actually did it consistently. Then about a month ago, he asked me about food. He's even started looking at the calories on labels!

I think deciding to get healthy is much like quitting smoking or drinking. There's no amount of talking/nagging/begging that will make someone else want to do it. It happens when you're ready.

fitfatty88

DAM5412... if you're the primary grocery shopper for your family, that's the fastest way to make a change. Find healthy alternatives to the things they like, it's amazing how easily a mentality can change if they realize healthy can be tasty and not carrot sticks and celery lol. Kinda hard to eat garbage if it isn't easily accessible at all times.
If you want to do your workouts that are more intense without interruption, I'd keep doing that. After dinner, rather than heading straight to the computer or TV, the whole fam should go for a walk around the block. Doesn't have to be a 3 mile trek or anything, but it's SOMETHING and something you do together.

I'm the youngest of 4 kids, and while I'm a grown up now (although at 25 sometimes I don't feel like I should be), growing up we always had dinner together and a lot of celebrations centered around what was at the table. That second part is partly what got me where I am now...so if that's the same case w/ your fam, try and find alternatives. I don't know your guys' lives, if work schedules allow you to eat together or if you already go out and do more active things as a family, so it's hard to give a lot of tips...but if that sounds familiar, make a change. Our holiday get togethers went from french fries to grilled zucchini and nobody complained hah.

My siblings and my mom have gym memberships and we will go together and keep each other accountable. My sister motivates me to be there at least 3 days a week with her, and I motivate her to lift heavy because she's strong and doesn't know it. I wish we had started this when we were younger instead of waiting until we were in our mid to late 20s. My mom is approaching 60, has had plantar fasciitis surgery on one foot, a knee replacement and kills it at the gym. She's lost over 65 lbs and I gotta say, seeing a parent go for it is motivating...so you've got that already goin on !

maoribadger

My sister has started going to the gym and swimming with me even on nights she admits she doesnt feel like it

frozentrace

I've been encouraging my friends to hit the gym with me and next week I'm going swimming with two of my colleagues YAY to getting your colleagues to keep and active and healthy lifestyle!