I Don’t Have Time to Count My Kids Calories
Recently, a valued client asked us to collaborate on helping pediatricians promote healthier eating and physical activity to families. What surprised me wasn’t the project itself, but the reality: there simply aren’t enough quality resources to effectively promote family wellbeing through better health. In my initial research, most of what I found were apps that either provided education that felt unrelatable or focused on rigidly counting calories. No offense to those apps that track kids’ meals, but that approach doesn’t work for me. Maybe some parents can manage it, but for many of us, it’s just not realistic.
The next step for me was to find a subject matter expert who could help guide us in the right direction. I searched high and low until it hit me—I have four kids, and I’m both the subject matter expert and the end user. As a father of a large family, I never imagined how much planning and effort it would take to create a healthy atmosphere for my children. When my wife and I began this journey, we understood the importance of good nutrition and staying active but building these habits within the chaos of family life proved to be far more challenging than we expected.
Our kids need help. Our families need help. We cannot continue to accept the decline in our nation’s health. Living longer is one thing, but living longer and healthier? That’s a different story. As a father, I will do anything to put my kids in the best possible position to have healthy minds and bodies. It’s personal for me, and while I’m still a work in progress, I feel I’m starting to see more wins than losses.
The Challenges and the Realities
What I’ve learned, both as a dad and in my professional life surrounded by coaches who change lives daily, is that the key isn’t perfection. It’s about making consistent, small steps forward and stacking up more victories than defeats. In my home, the first step was setting a goal to eat dinner together at least five times a week. This may seem unrelated to traditional health goals, but it made the biggest difference. Sharing meals as a family promotes not only better eating habits but also emotional wellbeing. It creates an opportunity for connection, reduces stress, and helps foster open conversations about health, allowing us to reinforce healthy choices in a relaxed, supportive environment.
This approach is crucial for the long-term health and happiness of our children. We don’t need to be perfect parents. What we need is a balance that sets a strong foundation, while teaching our kids not to stress over every choice. After all, a healthy mindset is just as important as a healthy body.
What I’ve Learned: Simple Strategies for Family Wellbeing
Make It Fun and Simple
- Kids learn best when they’re having fun. We try to keep things simple, using storytelling to explain why certain choices, like eating too much sugar or relying on processed foods, aren’t great for their bodies. I don’t get into all the science with them, but I bridge the gap by showing how what they eat now affects their health in the long term.
Balance Is Key
- One thing I’ve learned is that balance matters. Yes, we need to help our kids make healthy choices, but they also need the freedom to enjoy life. Let them have that ice cream or birthday cake. The goal is not to be rigid but to teach them moderation. If they’re stressed about every choice, we’re not doing them any favors.
Lead by Example
- As parents, we’re our children’s first role models. They need to see us committed to making healthy choices, but they also need to see that we’re human. I’m not perfect—I fail at times, and I think it’s important for my kids to see that too. When they see me recover from a setback and get back on track, it teaches them resilience and perseverance.
Make It Interactive 
- By prioritizing family wellbeing, we can create a supportive environment that fosters healthy habits and emotional resilience. We try to involve the kids in meal planning, grocery shopping, and even cooking. When they feel part of the process, they’re more likely to make healthier choices. Plus, it becomes a shared family experience, and those are moments that will stay with them long after they’ve grown up.
Small Wins, Big Impact
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to have more little victories than defeats. The small wins—whether it’s getting the kids to try a new vegetable or choosing an outdoor activity over screen time—add up over time. These habits will help set the foundation for a healthier future, not just for my family, but for all families who are willing to make the effort.
The road to family wellbeing isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the work. We may stumble, but it’s the commitment to keep going, to adjust and improve, that matters most. And if we can make the journey fun, balanced, and full of love, then we’re on the right path.
On the other side of the incentives argument are those who point to the evidence that external (or extrinsic) motivators are not only ineffective in producing sustained behavior change but may also encourage negative behavior such as cheating. In addition to the tendency for behavior revert to its previous state once the reward is earned, the industry is littered with stories about wellness program participants doing things like tying exercise trackers to their dog, ceiling fan, etc. In one case, an eye-opening 
Employees also need regular nudges and reminders. Life is busy, so don’t expect your wellness program to be a top priority for them. Give your communications a warm, caring tone – it’s important for them to know that are doing wellness for them, not to them.
Embarking on a career as a health coach begins with obtaining the right credentials. Certification not only enhances your credibility but also equips you with the necessary skills to effectively support your clients.
