What does it mean to be a healthy role model? Ask yourself what qualities do you admire in other people? What makes one person more or less than another? What values do you equate with someone worthy of your respect?
The funny thing is, these are not questions that we generally ask ourselves. More often than not, we express ourselves through our judgments or our criticisms. A healthy role model for fitness doesn’t judge or criticize, instead they perform and demonstrate their own fitness as a way to model the ideal behavior for others around them including workout partners, children, spouses and more.
Think about a personal trainer for a moment. What do you envision? You probably see a man or a woman with a great physique, model perfect looks and a really great tan. Truth is, while looks are something, they aren’t everything. Looks can’t replace solid skills, knowledge, intuitiveness, dedication, experience and understanding.
If you want to be a healthy role model, you don’t have to have the perfect physique or a California tan. You have to walk the walk more than talk the talk. In other words, you choose healthy snacks rather than candy or junk food. You make walking a regular part of your day. You exercise and you demonstrate your enjoyment of it.
It’s amusing to see how many people want to join you when you’re obviously having a good time. I used to be one of those people who said, “I wish I had more time…” or “when I have the time … “ Now I am one of those people who says “I make the time.”
Over a year ago, I made the decision to change my lifestyle and to make working out a healthy part of that. In that year, I’ve seen two friends join me, including one who lives in another state and we exchange support emails. My husband took a few months, but he got off the sofa too. He’s the first to admit that he’s seen a change in my whole personality, not only do I look better, but I am feeling better and it shows.
My five-year-old exercises everyday. She either joins me in front of my tapes or she comes into the room while I’m on the treadmill and starts marching in place. When she really wants to get her exercise in, she challenges me to go ‘jogging’ while she rides her bike. She asks me questions about what’s healthier – the chocolate bar or the apple. She prefers the apple, but she wants to make sure it’s the healthy choice.
She asked me every day for six months why I was always exercising. I told her I wanted to live healthier, I wanted to feel better and I wanted to be stronger. So now she tells me those things when I ask her why she exercises. My goal wasn’t to be a ‘healthy role model’ but to be a healthier person. When you live healthier and make healthier choices and your lifestyle includes fitness and wellness – you will be a healthy role model too.