Change, Support and Family

You start a new diet (to lose weight, to get fit, to get well or to avoid allergens).  On the first and second day you do very well and you can’t help but feel really good about yourself.  Then on the third day you go to mom’s house for lunch or dinner and she prepares a whole table full of “no-no” foods!  Doh!  STRUGGLE! 

“Change is good” was a phrase that some commercial used perhaps about 10+ years ago; and yes, change can be very good.  Change can also be overwhelming especially when you are with loved ones.  How often have you made a decision to do something good or healthy for yourself and your mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife or friend encouraged you to slide back into your old ways?  You would hear things like “Just this one time won’t hurt.” or “Worry about your diet tomorrow.” right?  I am going to state what is blatantly obvious; if you follow this advice tomorrow will never come.

I’ve been through this so many times with friends and family that I’ve lost count.  When you make changes it is good to keep in mind that sometimes the changes that you make can be just as overwhelming for your loved ones.  I’ve discovered that the real hard part about change is being patient with the people that you love; often you have to be even more patient with them than with yourself.  The reason why this is so incredibly difficult is because when you are trying to make a change support can be the difference between fast success, slow success and a constant struggle.

I’ve gone as far as trying to invite some of my loved ones to change with me.  That doesn’t always work out; but the few times it has worked out, it was indescribably rewarding. 

What are some ways that we can invite our families to grow with us when we implement change?