There are many ways to encourage and motivate loved ones to live a healthier lifestyle. The holiday season is a great time to show your love of fitness and benefit those in your life by offering healthy alternatives.
Here are seven ways to influence those around you to make healthier choices:
1. Bring a healthy vegetarian dish to a neighborhood or office party this year. You could bring some asparagus spears with balsamic dressing and almonds, Brussel sprouts with shallots, or honey-glazed carrots… you get the idea!
2. Buy a few healthy vegetarian recipe books to give as gifts to your friends, family, and neighbors. Suggest they try making some healthy entrees or appetizers to serve during the holidays.
3. Organize a Healthy Progressive Dinner in your neighborhood. A progressive dinner is when neighbors walk from house to house to enjoy appetizers at each home. Let the participants know to make healthy alternative dishes. This is a great way for people to get together, eat well, and get some exercise!
4. Organize a neighborhood “Walk-a-Thon” to benefit a local charity. This is a great way to get everyone involved in exercise while helping a good cause in your community.
5. Pick up some “Dr. Fitness Evaluation” certificates for friends and family. It could motivate them to become more active with an exercise and nutrition plan.
6. Give out gift cards to a local natural/organic grocer or a produce market in your area. This could be a start to eating healthier for your recipients.
7. Buy fitness-related gifts for your loved ones to promote healthy activities. It could be running shoes for Dad, yoga mats for the ladies, a basketball or tennis racket for the kids…
In 1977, Earl Woods gifted his 2-year-old son, Eldrick Tont Woods, a golf club…the rest is history!
Above all, have fun doing it, and know that you’re making a difference in your loved ones’ lives by encouraging a healthier lifestyle.