January is a great month for those of us who are committing to healthier lifestyles. January brings the opportunity for a fresh start, resolutions, and new-found energy for follow-through. In January, we are focused and dedicated; nothing can get in the way of our goals …
Then it happens. Some fabulous dessert is brought into work that you can’t resist or maybe you’re just too tired to go to the gym on your scheduled day. Inevitably, at some point during the month, these challenges will cause us to fall off of our proverbial health wagon. But fear not! Straying from your goal, as long as you’re able to quickly come back, can be a very important and productive part of your healthy lifestyle.
The foundation of a healthy lifestyle includes that overused maxim: everything in moderation. This includes both the healthy and not so healthy habits. Furthermore, practicing moderation is an extremely important behavior to role model for our children. Children love pleasing the adults in their lives and if you have found physical activity and good nutrition to be priorities in your life, certainly, the children around you will do the same. But they also need to understand that a cupcake at a birthday party or a movie on a rainy day is part of their healthy lifestyle. More importantly, they need to associate positive feelings with these activities and not beat themselves up over it as they so often see their mom or dad do.
A friend of mine once told me “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” Simply put, there is a time to practice self-control and healthy choices just as there is a time to indulge in a delicious brownie sundae or feast your eyes on a reality show marathon. That said, the most important piece is getting back on track. As long as you don’t allow these activities to sabotage your long-term goals but instead, treat them as a mini-vacation from your hard work, your body and mind will thank you.
So, let’s celebrate that long run with a movie marathon or that week of healthy eating with a cookie. It’s these rewards that will renew your commitment to your goals and bring you back to feeling like it’s January 1st all over again. Just remember to jump back on that health wagon as soon as your celebration is complete.
Today we feature OWG guest blogger and childhood obesity consultant, Melodie Griffin. Melodie’s passion lies in the prevention of childhood obesity through the school and early learning settings. All programs Melodie promotes are fully approved by her home based lab rats, five year old son, Howie, and two year old daughter, Hope.
