How do I motivate my little sister to be healthy and active?

Republican Sense: How do I motivate my little sister to be healthy and active?
My little sister is, I admit, chubby. And for the past few months, my whole family and I have been trying to make her eat healthy. She eats huge portions of unhealthy things, very small portions of so-so fruits and veggies, and no downright amazingly healthy foods. The only activity she gets is running up and down the stairs in my house, besides when she goes to dance class or soccer practices/games. Soccer is only during fall and spring, and she just recently decided she’d like to quit dance and take up pottery. She’s starting middle school next week, and I feel horrible for not being able to get my own sister off the couch and excercise. She knows that excercising is good for her, but she doesn’t realize that she doesn’t get enough. I’ve told her this, and she just changes the subject or doesn’t listen. I tried getting her to excercise by offering up five dollars a week, which would up to some cool excercise equipment, like a Bosu ball or a mini-trampoline. Didn’t work. Please help!!
Any ideas for fun activities to do?

How can I get her off the couch in the first place?

What kind of incentives should I offer (no food, trust me, she doesn’t need it)?

Answers and Views:

Answer by orlandoluvr_1990
Maybe the two of you could do something together. Suggest going for a walk or a bike ride. Then on the way home, stop for a small frozen youghurt or something like that. Maybe if she sees you doing it too, it’ll get her more involved.

Talk to your parents and see if they’ll stop buying junk food. If its not in the house, then she can’t eat it. She’ll be forced to eat more healthy foods, especially if it is made for dinner.

Answer by siamesedharma
If I were your sister, I would find your constant nagging to be so annoying that I would eat more and exercise less just to tick you off. Why don’t you lighten up and let her be a kid?

Answer by cena
try telling her how bad it is 4 her health and than take 4 ……..a girls day out tell her 2 exercises every other day with u and at the end of the week u’d buy her something under 5 dollars that she wanted …for 5 weeks and if she keeps exercising with u you ll give her 5 dollars and a toy or something 4 under 5 bucks

if the moneys a problem 4 each week then have another family member give a dollar each 4 her

Answer by angel
The first thing you should do is take all the unhealthy stuff out of the house. Put good things in the house like fruit, cereal is really good considering you get them milk you need from it. Also ask herif she wnats to go bike riding. I can tell you I love go biking since its quicker then running. Set limits on the amount of time she has to watch tv. Just do fun things with her you know like try playing soccer with her in the backyard. Just think you btoh can have fun while not knowing your exercising at the say time. Thats the best thing! Also if you wnat you can set chores for her to do thats what i have always had and that always kept me off the couch. I hope this helps.

Answer by Green G
This is part of an article that changed my life….I love it…
It is important to enjoy good, healthy food and drink in moderate quantity. Food should be consumed not in a vain attempt to fill emotional desires but in accord with your actual physical needs. See the food you eat as sustaining and nourishing, and enjoy it by being mindful of every taste you take. Try to be aware of the process of each sip of liquid and bite of food, and consciously follow the food’s movements in your body as far as you can. Feel that the food and drink are not only satisfying your hunger and thirst, but also generating health in your body and mind. Wish the same enjoyment for all beings. Appreciate and be thankful for the pleasure of every sip and bite you take.
read the whole article on the buddist method of eating healthy.
peace
GG

Answer by fitman
There are some decisions that you cannot make for other people.

The best that you can do is to use yourself as a shining example and quietly hope that she follows it. Even then, her decision to follow or not is entirely her own.

Answer by Voice Of Experience
You and your family need to take a proactive role in her life. She learned what she knows about her health and eating from you and your family. If she needs a lifestyle change, chances are you could all do with a healthy change. The habits she picks up now will stay with her the rest of her life. It’s up to the rest of you to live the lifestyle you want her to live. Find out if she likes any sports. If she does you’re on your way. If she doesn’t know then go with her and find a sport or activity she will do and do it with her. Like I said..for good or bad she learned what she knows from her family. Only her family can mould and shape her early life. Good luck