Life Fitness is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Need motivation
and guidance to facilitate positive changes in your life? Ask Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis!

Dear Laura:

I am a 45 year old male and about a month ago I decided to really get serious about working out and eating a healthy diet. I started out about forty pounds overweight and have lost fifteen pounds so far. So, I am feeling really great regarding my progress. But I have a problem. My wife and my teenage daughter, who are both at least fifty pounds overweight could care less about getting healthy. They eat all sorts of junk food, fast food, chips, candy and drink several soft drinks every day. Since I love them both and would like to see them both become healthier and more fit, I have tried to convince them to workout and eat better but without success. Do you have any suggestions for me? Oh and by the way, Type II diabetes runs in my wife's family.

-"Frustrated but Getting Fit"

Dear "Frustrated",

First of all, congratulations on your progress. You have obviously made a commitment to yourself on taking the steps necessary to what I call living a "fit life". To become so dedicated you have to not only experience a mental shift from the old way of thinking to a new way of thinking, but also make a "heart felt" shift too. What I mean is you really must feel in your heart and soul the desire to move in this new direction. And it sounds as if you really have made that shift.

Regarding your wife and daughter here are my recommendations.

• Sit your wife and daughter down, let them know you care deeply about their health and want both of them to be around for many years to come. And that you would really love for them to simply make a few changes in the direction of being healthier.
  

• Plan activities that involve movement. What about a trip to the zoo? Or a walk in a beautiful park? How about a bike ride after dinner? Or just take a stroll around the block after eating. Get them moving! It will give you a chance to further connect too!

• Volunteer to cook dinner on occasion and make healthy, good tasting foods. I must say I love it when a man cooks for me! And I bet your wife and daughter will love it too! For some great tasting, healthy dishes check out All Recipes.com
  

• Breaking old "unhealthy lifestyle" habits can be difficult, especially due to the fact that they are typically enmeshed with other routines that have been established for quite some time! So, how about changing things up a bit? If you normally sit in the kitchen for dinner, move to the dining room. Is there television watching during meals? Nix the TV and put on some wonderful music, light a few candles and make the dining experience special. Eating mindlessly, while engrossed in your favorite television show is one of the worst habits you can have. Regarding TV watching in general, in a Harvard study of over 280,000 men and women it was noted that those who watched television on average two hours per day increased obesity by 23%! But those who walked one hour per day had a 24% reduction in obesity! Click here to read more!

• Last of all, if you try all that I have suggested and your wife and daughter just won't budge when it comes to dropping unhealthy habits, you are going to have to let it go and focus upon you and your dedication to creating a leaner, healthier and happier you! Read, listen to motivational material, visit health food stores or check out the health food section in your grocery store and pick up healthy foods for you. And continue to work out! Plus, focus upon how good you will feel in the near future as well as when you are much older. You will be more physically as well as mentally more agile than those who are not following the "fit life" track!
  

Life is too short not to live a "fit life". There is so much to see, so much to do, so much to enjoy. Healthier people tend to be happier people, wouldn't you agree? Just keep on keepin' on "Frustrated". Who knows, maybe, just maybe, your healthy enthusiasm will rub off on your loved ones!

Send Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis your questions and your answer may be posted here at "Ask Laura!" while maintaining your anonymity! In the meantime, here's to your new "Fit Life!"