Expert Advice: Pick One Winnable Challenge Per Week

Advocate Anita Courtney advises busy families to start with small  steps when making lifestyle changes.

Lexington is lucky to have the Tweens Nutrition and Fitness Coalition, a program that helps families introduce healthy eating and fitness into the lives of their children.

Anita Courtney, the founder and chairperson of the now 10-year-old Coalition, brings 34 years’ experience as a public health nutritionist to the Coalition.

Courtney, a mother of two and an advocate for good health, encourages busy, time-starved families to start small when considering lifestyle changes.

“Pick one small winnable challenge for your family,” she said. “Let the family work together to choose it.”

For example:

Everyone in the family agrees to eat one extra piece of fruit each day.

The whole family will play catch after dinner (or corn hole, or tag or take a walk)

When the family goes to dinner, everyone will order water instead of sugary drinks.

Try these changes for one week and then evaluate.

Said Courtney: “You have to see that it is doable, then decide: Is it a keeper? Then add another challenge.”