'We're All In This Together'

Yes, it's true: I have that cheesy High School Musical song stuck in my head this morning. But the fact that I can't stop humming its annoying chorus has me thinking about what those words actually mean. When it comes to making healthy changes -- come on, you knew I was going to try to make a connection here -- we are all in this together.

It's one of the most valuable lessons I learned during my year as Shape magazine's Weight-Loss Diary columnist: To successfully make lasting changes requires the support of those around you. That doesn't mean everybody in the house has to go on a "diet" (I hate that word!) or vow to exercise two hours a day like I did. But it does mean that family support is crucial to developing habits that stick.

What we've discovered in our house is that once everybody commits to certain principles, like "French fries are a once-in-a-while treat, not an everyday side dish" or "We're all going to do a physical activity that we love, whether it's walking or some other active endeavor," those big changes that once felt so impossible quickly become new healthy habits. Knowing that, I was thrilled to see this story about weight-loss camps that now involve a kid's entire family.

Knowing that "We're All In This Together" (Are you singing it yet?) has helped our family commit to the changes that are most important to us: Better eating most of the time, with occasional treats built in, and increasing our daily physical activity -- simple steps to living a healthier life.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend as we say, "So long" to summer.

Comments

[MizFit]

WAAAAAH

I miss summer already :)

Linking you next week about what I emailed you about this morning. (ISNT THAT A GREAT SENTENCE :))

giving you some love...

[Alyssa]

AAAUUUUGH!!!! Now that song is stuck in my head!!!!

I think it's crucial to have support in your efforts to stay healthy. It's also a great way to be a role model!

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks for the love, MizFit. I can always use some :-).

Alyssa, sorry about the song. If it's any consolation, now it's back in my head, too.