At RISE we are hugely aware that many of the habits that we have that make it difficult for us to live a healthy lifestyle are habits instilled to us in our youth.
Many of the thought processes that we have to change are the one that we were brought up on and exposed on a regular basis.
So, as well as these being important mindsets to change for our own health, fitness, and physique, I believe it is crucially important to change many of these mindsets to stop us passing them on to the next generation, to stop history repeating itself.
Below our list of mindsets, thought-processes, and common phrases that many people use that, if you’re passing on to your children, you may be ‘teaching’ them how to be fat in later life is:
1. The concept of a treat: I’ve covered the concept of a treat in the previous article (myrise.co.uk/members/mentality-of-a-treat).
If a parent consistently tells a child that a certain food stuff is a treat they’re reinforcing in that child the opinion that the food stuff is better and more desirable than general food.
If a parent continues to tell a child that they need to eat their main course or they won’t get a pudding, or if they’re a good boy or girl they’ll get an ice-cream or some sweets then that child is being brought up to see those food stuffs as better.
And then, to change their mindsets in later life will be very difficult for them.
2. Excitement over unhealthy food: Not only do children pick up on the words that their parents or most family use but they pick up on their actions and behavior.
If an adult shows excitement at getting sweets or take-out or other unhealthy food that child will pick up on it, that child will start to replicate that behavior, and again it will reinforce that opinion that these food are better and more desirable.
3. Being a fussy eater: Again, if a parent is a fussy eater, if a parent only has a limited range of food stuffs that they are willing to eat, or if, when they go out to eat, a special dispensation has to be made for them, then again they’re teaching that child that this is acceptable behavior.
It is very difficult to get a child to try certain food stuffs if they don’t see their parent eating it. It’s difficult anyway even if the parent eats it, and I know this being a parent myself, but if they see that parent avoid eating certain food stuffs then it’s unlikely that child will want to eat it themselves.
So, in summary, don’t replicate the mistakes of the past.
If your parents have taught you thought-processes, and actions, and phrases that in later life made it hard for you to lose weight then try not to do the same with your children.
Look at the way you’re teaching your children habits and think “Am I teaching them to be fat?”
