Generational Obesity Ends with You!

Generational Obesity Ends with You!

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 2 NLV

When you look at family portraits feelings stir – happiness, joy, and maybe even some embarrassment. You see old hairstyles and clothing trends. You reflect on when younger siblings were born or miss those who are no longer with you. Family portraits conjure all sorts of thoughts and emotions. They show the reflection of your family at that particular moment in time. In that reflection, family portraits can also show an outward expression of your family’s health. Yes, it’s true!

When you look at those family portraits is your family physically fit? Is your family obese? Maybe there are a few people who are fit and a few who are not. Maybe your parents are obese and eventually you and your siblings became obese as well. Or, maybe you and your siblings are fit and your parents are not. They say pictures speak a thousand words, and in this case, it is also true.

Reflect on your childhood. Were you told to clean your plate or you’d get in trouble? Was overeating praised and sensible eating shunned? How do your childhood experiences manifest in your life today? Do you perpetuate those habits?

When reflecting on these points, be careful not to punish yourself or to harbor negative thoughts about your past. Your parents were only doing what they felt was best. In turn, you’ve only been doing what you thought was best. The great thing about remaining a person open to learning and growing is that you have today to make any changes you want. This is the moment you have to become a healthier person and to instill healthy habits in your family or those around you.

You can change the reflection of your family portrait. If you do so, then when your children reflect, they will see happiness, joy & a healthy family. Those behaviors and habits that you instilled in them will permeate their children and so on. So, what you do today counts!

Want to know more, find Keri blogging at Keri Writes, on Twitter @KeriOutsey, contact her via email at KeriOutsey@gmail.com.