7 Ways To Help Others Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Someone's success can be inspiring. At the beginning of your fitness, health or “becoming best version of yourself” journey, you've probably been learning from someone, listening someone's success stories and advice, whether in person or over the Internet. If you haven't had this person, everything could end up differently.

It is really hard to stay healthy living life at such a fast pace in this world full of inexpensive and tasty – but overall bad food. If you want your dear people to adopt a healthy lifestyle (eat healthier food, move more, drink more water, or make them feel good about themselves), here are some simple tips on how to be supportive.

Clear Out Your Pantry

I find it extremely important not to bring (too much) bad food at home. Everyone will eat chocolate and cookies if you buy and leave them in the pantry. Buy weekly stash of food and try making it versatile in seasonal fruit and vegetables, white meat and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds. If someone craves chocolate at 10 PM, and you didn't buy any, you are doing everyone a favor.

Get Creative With Picky Kids

If you have kids who won't eat their veggies, serve the food in a more interesting way. Make a face out of the eggs, pretend spinach is a meadow and that broccoli are little trees; kids love things to be funny.

Pretend that you'll enjoy the food by yourself, and share none with them. They don't like competition, and they will probably want some, out of pure jealousy. Some will say it's bad to manipulate your child like this — but they will thank you later. Or not – whatever!

Don't Brag

You may have kindest intentions by showing your cool healthy lifestyle, washboard abs or firm buttocks, but if you brag a lot — it may be hurtful and counterproductive. People like someone supportive, someone who can be a role-model without being a show-off. Of course, there are people who like a little competition here and there if it moves them, but they are rare, so try not to be unpleasant to be around (not to use a different term).

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Invest More Than Words

Nice words always come in handy, but if someone is busy and can't get all the obligations in the office or at home, this person doesn't have the luxury to workout or prepare healthy lunch every day. If you have busy family members, offer to help. Help your wives or daughters with kids so they can make a healthy lunch, exercise, or go out and relax. Same goes for everyone. Be supportive and invest some of your spare time if you have too much of it to help those in need.

Importance Of Mental Support For Those Who Want To Change Their Habits

Be Enthusiastic, But Not Annoying

When someone is enthusiastic about something, the others will pick on it too. My mum was buying a lot of refined sugars and fried food when I was younger. When I grew up, I started researching more about nutrition and using a lot of vegetables in my cooking. I started working out and drinking a lot of green juices and smoothies. As I was doing it, she came along without me insisting on her changing. Now she insists on bringing me when she shops for food, as she says “to read the ingredients”. It is nice to have a buddy at home who cares about their health, but if you are the one leading a healthy lifestyle, don't be pushy and force it on others. It will come naturally when they're ready.

Don't Feed Misconceptions

Many people believe that in order to be healthy they have to give up a lot, almost everything. There are many misconceptions, and the most common one is that you have to go to gym to be(come) fit. Everyone has to find the activity they enjoy, whether it's lifting, dancing around the house, or simply — walking. Also, break other people's misconceptions about healthy diet. It's not about avoiding anything, but about finding the balance. Also, broccoli or Brussels sprouts don't have to be tasteless or bitter. There are thousands of recipes out there, condiment and spices that can be added to enhance the taste and make them delicious. Everything is tasty when you get used to it.

Be Gentle Even Towards Mistakes

If someone is racist, homophobic or violent — it doesn't matter how much we love this person — it can be awkward and even hurtful to be around them. I live in the area where many people hate those with different views and religion. It's still considered bad and not welcomed to marry someone from different culture. I encounter these people everywhere; have some in my family too. Even though it's a sensitive topic, I always try to rationalize to them why it's bad to be so judgmental and stubborn. We have to educate people — even though they are often older than ourselves. I find the opening line of The Great Gatsby extremely inspiring:

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.”

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Be mild about everything you preach, whether it's about someone's health, the way they do at work or with children — people tend to listen to a good argument even when different from their own opinion if told in a mild and positive manner.