How I Am Talking To My Daughters About Health
One of the areas where I am extremely deliberate is when I am talking about anything health-related with my daughters.
I want my daughters to love who they are. I want them to embrace their bodies and have a healthy relationship with food. I want them to eat cake and ice cream AND I want them to notice how they feel when they eat certain foods. I also want to give them tools to be prepared to commit to their health in the face of often challenging circumstances to stay healthy.
So, how am I talking to my daughters?
I tell them that they are unique and beautiful…
Health comes in all shapes and sizes…
That they are strong and capable…
They can do anything they want, and I will always have their back…
People can be wrong about us… and they will be wrong about us…
It’s ok to be bored and sad and mad and also happy and excited and curious…
It is a privilege that we get to move our bodies…
Getting our steps in is a great way to connect as a family and will also improve longevity…
Focus on what we can eat to help us maintain our health…
3 servings of protein every day is a great habit to start…
Eat your fruits and vegetables to your heart's content…
Eat a low sugar, high protein yogurt for a snack for a great calcium boost…
Starchy carbs are amazing and knowing what a serving size looks like is empowering…
Make new friends… and nurture your old ones…
Take chances, I trust you, AND you are safe…
Travel and expose yourself to new surroundings…
Don’t stop dreaming…
As you can see, my language around health, food, and even our bodies is intertwined with all the positive messaging of what they can do. This is the basis for how I am going to help our family pursue even better health.
I will use this positive messaging as a jumping off point to TRY to prevent future diet mentality, and at the same time - I will slowly teach them the science of how to stay healthy.
Also, it is super important that our daughters see both Mark and myself walking the walk. We cannot expect them to take on new healthy habits if we do not do them ourselves. It is a family affair. It has to be.
Stay tuned… we have a pretty cool and unique strategy we are testing with the girls, one that is filled with compassion and also health benefits. If it goes well, I will share it with you all.
Talk soon!
Ali