GOTR: Change Your Wellness Vocabulary

Strong is the new Skinny 

Healthy Eating is the new Diet 

Movement is the new Exercise 

Quick Meals is the new Fast Food

Modeling good behavior is the most important advice I can give you from one mom to another. You can't control someone's eating all of the time, but if they see you choosing wisely and staying healthy & happy you can bet your GOTR girl will follow in your footsteps!

If we can help young girls switch their way of thinking I believe we can change their future. Wouldn't you wish upon your child never to go through life worrying about what they're eating, and how much they weigh? I would!

Strong - We must explain to young girls that there is quite a difference in body types and every girl's body is changing year after year. If we stop focusing on the skinny - which, by the way is subjective, and help them to want to be strong. Being strong is automatically being fit and healthy. Plus, building muscles helps with overall health and longevity. Strong muscles are good for their heart, bones, and self esteem.

Healthy Eating - As moms of a certain age we all grew up at some point in the late 80's & 90's where the word "diet" exploded into our way of living. Anything from diet programs, to diet foods, to diet soda, etc. Diet is such a generic word anyway which to me, has turned negative. If we change our vocabulary to use "healthy eating" in our conversations with our children we can never go wrong. Discussing all of the wonderful healthy food choices that are out there as opposed to all of the foods they can't eat when they're on a diet. Doesn't that sound better to you?

Movement - Although I do love to exercise, I believe it puts an extra pressure on us to perform well anytime we hit the treadmill. If we tweak our vocabulary to focus on movement instead of exercise we can help translate the pressures of "working out" to helping our kids live an active lifestyle. Help them enjoy the outdoors, going to walks with the dog, taking a bike ride with their friends, etc. They don't need to be on a sports team or join the local gym to move and stay healthy.

Quick Meals - I have proven over and over again that meals prepared at home are quicker, cheaper, and much healthier than any items you'll find on the fast food menu. There is just no excuse anymore. Its just as easy to pack a fresh salad, protein bar and an apple, or a almond butter & jelly sandwich with some sliced watermelon. That is just as much of a meal, and much yummier, than a high fat, high salt,and lord knows what else junk in a fast food "burger" or "chicken" meal. Furthermore, fast food lacks all nutrients important for growing bodies & brains.

And there you have it...if we can simply change a few words that we use as moms and help our daughters now, they will be set up for better choices in the future!

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 10: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.