Transform your Life with the Biggest Loser’s Bob Harper

Monday, 9/14/2009

Trainer on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper offers Walden readers simple suggestions that the whole family can follow to make a radical change in lifestyle. In addition to Harper’s tips below, visit the official The Biggest Loser website. Harper offers motivational video tips like the one below, as well as resources to help jumpstart your diet and exercise routine to kick off a new you.

For more inspiration and motivation, watch The Biggest Loser Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 7 p.m. Central on NBC.

“It is time for families to unite in a whole different way.  Gone are the days of “do as I say, not as I do”.  Since working on The Biggest Loser for several years now, I have had the opportunity to travel all over the country and meet thousands of people and the problem with obesity in America has reached staggering heights.  One thing I have seen all too often is the children following in their parents’ footsteps.  I have had countless overweight mothers and fathers ask me with valid concern about their children’s weight gains and sedentary lifestyles.  When I ask the parents about their own issues what I always get is that the parents try to tell their kids to eat healthier, but the parents aren’t following their own  advice so the kids are even that more reluctant to do so. Families have to all get on board and help each other out when it comes to making such a drastic lifestyle change, but I cannot stress this next point enough, you have got to start out small with the changes because if you decide to change everything all at once, you are setting yourself up for failure.

The first thing to do is have a family meeting and discuss the changes that will be happening.  Getting it all out in the open without holding anything back will set up a good foundation. Communication is key because when everyone in the family has a voice in this matter, the more real and lasting changes will happen.  Sit down together and start thinking about the “no brainer foods” that will become obsolete in the house such as sugary cereals, soda, high-processed snacks like chips, cookies, crackers and ice cream.  That is a great start because with these foods there is nothing of nutritional value and they are all full of empty calories.  Replace those foods with low sugar cereals, oatmeal, diet soda (if you must), pretzels, all natural cookies (for a treat) and frozen yogurt.  Once you spend a couple of days with simple changes like this your taste buds will change and very quickly you won’t even notice a difference.  Stock up the house with plenty of fruits and vegetables and stick with lean meats like extra lean ground beef,  turkey & chicken breasts, egg whites and plenty of fish.  Tofu is also a great source of protein but you might need a little time before incorporating that into your diet, but I highly recommend a more plant based diet. The foods are high in fiber and very nutrient dense.  These foods will also keep you fuller, longer.  The key is to slowly incorporate these foods into your meal plans but I can’t stress it enough, get your fruits and vegetables into your daily routine.  You and your whole family will eventually thank me for it when your body weight changes and your cholesterol drops!!!

When it comes to working out what I would tell you is that the main thing you need to do is get active.  Set up a family outing on the weekends where you go to the beach, find a hiking trail, join a softball league or try something really ambitious like rock climbing or karate classes.  Find a yoga class or spin class in your town and try it out. I’m sure these activities will be fun and, at times, funny, but what is really important is that you are changing your routine.  Getting away from the computer, the television, and off the sofa and enjoying life. That is what it is all about. Getting the family involved and having fun and CHANGING YOUR ROUTINE.  When  your family gets together and makes an effort to this whole new  lifestyle, you will add a whole new dimension to your family unit so  why not start today and have your family meeting…...your whole new life is waiting for you.”

Want more? Check out Bob Harper’s latest book release: Are You Ready!: Take Charge, Lose Weight, Get in Shape, and Change Your Life Forever.

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