Setting Goals & Modeling Healthy Behavior

 Make them manageable and specific.  Start small and try not to focus on too many things at once.  Make a plan.  Write it down and give yourself a deadline.  Know your resources and support system.  Don’t expect perfection. Setting Goals

 Can still reap huge health benefits without making huge changes!  Ideas for small steps:  Lose 5 pounds.  Replace one sugary beverage a day with a glass of water.  Add one serving of low-fat or non-fat dairy each day.  Take a 15 minute walk each day at lunch. Small Steps

 Personalized nutrition and activity plan.  Set and keep track of goals.  Remember to log on daily to keep motivated.  Track food intake and physical activity.  Revise and set new goals as needed. SuperTracker

 Selected Messages:  Enjoy your food, but eat less.  Avoid oversized portions.  Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.  Make at least half your grains whole grains.  Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.  Compare sodium in foods and choose the foods with lower numbers.  Drink water instead of sugary drinks Dietary Guidelines

 Important to balance healthy eating habits and physical activity for better health.  Pay attention to what you eat and how much.  MyPlate – visual representation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.  What are some ways that you can Eat Smart and encourage your students to do the same? Eat Smart

 Do you eat breakfast and lunch everyday?  Encourage students to make healthy choices and not skip meals.  Adequate nutrition can help both children and adults stay alert throughout the day. Eat at Regular Intervals

 A portion is the amount of food that you CHOOSE to eat. Portion vs. Serving Size  A serving is a standard, MEASURED amount used in determining the number of calories and nutrients in food.

 Let students know that making healthy choices fits into all aspects of life.  Talk with students about how to help keep their bodies healthy. Incorporate Nutrition Messages into Curriculum  Provide an environment that supports and encourages healthy choices.

 Food should be enjoyed as nourishment for the body and not seen as either a reward or a punishment.  Use non-food items or incentives as a reward for students.  Avoid withholding treats other students are receiving as a punishment.  Could lead to negative relationships with food in the future. Refrain from Using Food as Incentives

 Adults need to play hard too! Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity most days.  Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  Find something you enjoy doing and let children see that you enjoy being active. Play Hard

 Children learn from what they see.  Practice what you preach.  Make healthy choices fun.  Don’t criticize yourself. Being a Healthy Role Model

 Do not drink soda in front of children.  Participate in tasting activities.  Offer healthy options for class parties.  Eat meals and snacks with the children.  Incorporate nutrition education and opportunities for physical activity into daily lessons.  Praise children making healthy choices.  Get moving with the kids! Being a Classroom Role Model

 Healthy messages should be reinforced between classroom and home.  Provide information in newsletters, on website, or sent home with children.  Help parents overcome challenges of healthy eating and being physically active. Educating Parents

 To make healthy choices, children must have an environment that encourages these choices.  All areas of the school should provide clear and consistent messages reinforcing healthy eating and physical activity.  Find ways to help make your school environment healthier. Creating a Healthy Environment

 Children and adolescents are making choices now that will affect the rest of their lives.  By making healthy choices for yourself, you are being a great role model and showing students that you care about the choices they make as well! Support Wellness by Being a Healthy Role Model!