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YOU SHARE DINNER
with your kids,
TV time with your spouse and lunches out
with co-workers—and, without even realizing
it, you may be sharing your health (or lack
thereof) with those close to you.
Research suggests that the habits of those
around us—whether healthy or unhealthy—
can influence our own habits. And our choices,
including the foods we eat and the way we
spend our leisure time, are likely to have a
subconscious but significant impact on our
friends and loved ones as well.
So, in the spirit of spreading good health,
why not make sure the habits you’re sharing
will benefit everyone in your circle of health?
To get started, try these ideas from the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention.
Band together to shed unwanted
pounds.
You might arrange a friendly weight-
loss competition at work. Or you and a friend
may decide to keep food journals. Sharing that
information can help you both stay account-
able for your food choices.
Create a healthy food contest.
For family
meals and friendly get-togethers, make it a
challenge to plan a menu that is both healthy
and satisfying. Share meal ideas with friends:
Who can come up with the tastiest and
healthiest recipes?
Make exercise a team effort.
Let’s face
it—we’re all much less likely to blow off a
workout if someone is waiting on us. So make
exercise dates with a friend, your spouse
or kids. You’ll be able to enjoy each other’s
company and improve your health at the same
time. If a little healthy competition is what
motivates you to stay active, set up a video
game fitness tournament. Soon you’ll be box-
ing and bowling your way to a fit physique—
and having a lot of fun together along the way.
Kick the habit collectively.
It can be
extremely difficult to quit smoking if those
around you are still lighting up. Recruit your
smoking buddies to set up a group quit date.
You can visit each other’s homes to be sure
all lighters, ashtrays and cigarettes are tossed
out. Your fellow quitters will be an invaluable
source of support. You can call each other
when cravings kick in, and you can share the
coping strategies that keep you from lighting up.
can be contagious
Research
suggests
that
the habits of
those around
us—whether
healthy or
unhealthy—can
influence our
own habits.
Healthy habits
Make exercise a team effort.
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