Topics for priming relatives finally motivated to get health

slim_photographer

I'm so happy that my sister and my cousin have finally agreed to do a "diet" as they call it. In part I've been nagging them about eating less or healthier things and as they've seen my own success (about 20 lbs down) now they want in.
I would like to give them a little ' class' on the basics and to set a reasonable goal/plan.
I can think of explaining calories, water consumption, measurements, scale relationship, etc. of course they are getting a MFP account
What topics do you recommend explaining as a ' fitness and wellness 101'?
Thank you

wickedcricket

Nutrition, Exercise & Sleep

CaptainMFP

I would emphasize watching sodium and the importance of success coming in increments and not all at once. I think the expectation of an instant transformation undermines new people more than anything else. And speaking for myself, I've had better results faster with MFP than with Weight Watchers because I can watch my sodium more closely.

Chenoachem

-No 1 important: It only lasts if they are committed and want to do it.
-I always explain with this way of 'dieting' that you can eat in anything but in appropriate portions.
-Sodium is a good topic and something people ignore.
-Also that it doesn't require doing lots of boring exercise every day to get results. Even a 5 minute walk after dinner can make a huge difference.
-Start with not changing many things and just log. See where you are starting from. Changing to many things at once can be setting yourself up for failure since it appears too hard.
-When stress calls exercise is a better coping mechanism than food.
-Non food related rewards are helpful: i.e 5 pounds lost get a new ipod

I think that about sums up what I start most people with.