Everyone has family and friends that will play some sort of role in their transformation. It’s amazing to see how fitness cannot only transform a person but an entire family or community. Your hope may be to inspire others in your family but take it slowly and be considerate. Your new example may be very different than the one that they are used to seeing from you, so it may take some getting used to. You may need to “prove yourself” to them before they are ready to follow your lead.
Spouses
Workouts –
No matter how excited you are about P90X, Body Beast, or your new program, it might not translate to your spouse being as excited. That’s okay. Every single person is different and I’m sure you can look back and remember the time when it finally “clicked.” That may not be where your husband and wife is at the moment. Don’t let your workouts become a point of contention but stay super positive. You can talk, share, and encourage but you can’t make someone decide to change. They will ultimately have to do that on their own. You want your marriage to be strong! If your spouse gets so turned off to fitness, you may never be able to encourage them to take action for themselves.
Nutrition –
Nutrition can be a big sticking point for couples not on the same page. Still try to be understanding and remember that you can only control yourself. You’re going to make your nutritional choices and if you’re husband or wife chooses differently, that’s okay. You might have to ask them for help in cleaning out the pantry or removing temptations. That’s why you really don’t want to be at odds with them.
Instead, find a place where you can both understand each other and work together (even if you’re not working towards the same goal). COMMUNICATE! If you are going to eat chicken /broccoli or chicken/green beans every night for dinner, you should make sure your wife or husband knows that. If you wife has some sort of special potato dish that would totally sink your budgets… tell her that before she makes it! And make sure she knows it’s not because her food is “bad” or “evil,” it just doesn’t work with your goals currently. Make sure you guys are on the same page.
Children
Your kids are already going to see a big change in you. You’ll be able to be more active and have more energy to spend time with them. You want to encourage them to also be active, but remember they’re kids. Encourage them to play on a team or try a new sport. Take them to dance class. Heck. Volunteer to coach their team, and get really involved! They don’t need to do a program, they just need to be active kids. Turn off or limit the television, cut the video games, and get them going.
Nutrition –
Be careful with your kids’ nutrition as well. Maybe not just their nutrition but their perception of nutrition. You are the adult, so you control what comes into the house. Make the best choices for your kids while still realizing they’re just kids. You don’t have to have fatty, greasy, and salty snacks. You don’t have to buy pop.
But you also don’t want to be the food Nazi that is so strict that your kids rebel against you as soon as they are old enough. So no, don’t sign your kid up for a MyFitnessPal account LOL. My advice on nutrition, and Beachbody’s for that matter, is that it’s always intended for adults. The nutritional needs of the developing child are going to be very different than those of an adult. In extreme cases and if you’re really concerned about their diet, go see your child’s doctor or work with a nutritionist. You want to instill good, healthy habits. That can happen organically just by the food choices you make available in your house without becoming legalistic.
Body Image –
This is another case where your goals are your goals, and with kids… your goals should probably not be your kids’ goals. We focus pretty heavily on body composition on teamRIPPED, and it can be a really good thing (extra body fat is not healthy). But, I have the ability as an adult to know that my worth is attached to things far more important than my six pack abs or a number on a scale. What you stress as important and of worth is what your kids will focus on. Your child’s self-esteem and self-image needs to be protected. Children are already getting tons of voices speaking into their lives telling them things about their bodies and what they are “worth.” Don’t try to impose your goal of single-digit body fat to your kids.
Be excited for them! Cheer them on; root for them. The exercise and nutrition piece will take care of itself as you’re active with your kids and when you fill your house with good food. It doesn’t have to go further than that. You have to make sure they know their worth comes from who they are, not simply what they look like. Praise them for working hard in all situations, regardless of the end result. Make sure your voice is one of encouragement and love… they are getting enough dissenting opinions from the outside world. You have to protect them and speak against anyone or anything that would try to tell your child they aren’t valuable unless they do this, or have that, or look like them.
All Together Now
You want your changes to be real changes. Lifestyle changes. If you turn your health and nutrition into a battle with your family it’s probably not going to last. Be a positive example and remember to keep talking with your spouse and kids. Be understanding and try to remember that your choices are your choices and the rest of your family or friends may not be there yet. You want to keep your relationships strong so that you don’t get written off or even stress a relationship to a point where someone might not listen to you anymore.
Need a coach?
My email: coachwayne@teamripped.com
IG: @wayne_wyatt
