Kids and losing weight........

[wiskband]

I am very worried about my 2 oldest kids, I feel so bad even saying it outl oud, that I think they are overweight........
There have been times when my daughter shes MOM am I fat? I always so no!
It is such a touchy subject and I am not sure I know how to handle it!
I feel this is such a crucial and fragil subject, as if, I do or say the wrong thing I could really damage them emotionally.....
Anyway, I have seen some threads about this before...
just wondering if any of you have had to deal with this and if so, Should it be something that I secretly do as far as watching what they eat or should it be known?
My daughter is 10 and my son is 9....
the thing about my son is that he has gained so much weight, so quickly!!!! Also, what kind of plan have any of you used with your children? Low carb? WW? I am doing low carb....
Any advise is appreciated.........

thanks

renee

 

[Cyndiu]

I have a son (12) and a daughter (14) and they, like DH and I were overweight. Not terribly, mind you, but DS was a bit "soft" around the middle and DD was getting a little too much "junk in her trunk". Whenever DD mentioned it I always said, "You're growing and a diet isn't really healthy and if you're not happy with your body, go get on the treadmill or rollerblade around the neighborhood. I had the same fears as you about giving them paranoia about their weight, you know?

Anyway, DH and I started South Beach on 3/6 and we have both lost over 20 lbs. DS & DD have benefited because we're not going out to eat so often, no pasta, no potatoes, very little bread, and definitely no soda.

DS has lost 8 lbs. and DD has lost 14. They're both healthy and not trying to go hungry so their doctor says its fine.

 

[catherine]

Hi renee, I've never had to deal with weight issues with my DD's, so I don't have any direct experience with child weight loss. However I do Health Promotion, so I've had some indirect experience. I don't know how much exercise your DD and DS get. If they don't get enough exercise then that may be the cause of the weight gain, and just upping their level of exercise might have the desired effect. If they get plenty of exercise then I would suggest that you might want to see your doctor, and see what he/she recommends. It is not uncommon for children in this age range to gain weight, due to hormones etc. but when their hormones settle they usually lose the weight.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I know that it is not easy to deal with children and weight for fear of creating weight issues that are tied into emotional eating.

 

[yasuern]

My DD 9y/o is a little overweight - Well DH and I are Doing Atkins and we are walking almost everyday (actually I walk in the AM and w/family in the PM) and the route we walk is approx 2 miles - after the walk DD and I do sprints in the back yard - we stand about 50yards away from each other and as fast as we can run to the other side of the yard - when we pass each other we high five each other - sounds so silly but DD really loves this - we do this around 5 or 6 times runinning then 2xs walking. I also have been replacing some of her regular snacks with low carb options and make sure she has 2 large servings of either fruit or veggies each day - we also - for DD only - use the locarb pasta by Muellers - DD can't tell it from full carb and low carb peanut butter and ice cream - my goal at her age is not to have her lose weight but to not have her gain anymore and to introduce her into a healthy eating pattern and the importance of exercise. As for telling her "you need to lose wgt" I just tell her that we as a family are going to try to be healthier!

Sorry I babble
Sue

 

[outstandinfarmer]

My approach to this would be to NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE PUTTING THEM ON A DIET!!!! It will just make them depressed and become super aware of their body. I would say, mom and dad are going on a diet, and it is TOO hard for us to be on it while you guys are eating junk around us. So we are getting rid of all the bad food in the house. Then go on family walks every night. If they don't want to go, make them. Don't say it is because they need to lose weight, but because you want to spend some "family time" together. They will benifit from the exercise and you will benefit from knowing what is going on is their lives.

Believe me, I was VERY heavy when I was a kid. Whether you think they are aware of it or not, they know that they are overweight. You need to tackle this problem now, before it escalates into something bigger. In 8th grade I was over 200 pounds and lost 60 pounds in a month and a half by barely eating. My hair started to fall out and I blacked out every time I stood up. Even though it was really bad for me, it was the best thing that ever happened to me because finally I didn't feel out of place. People thought I was beautiful now and my self confidence soared. When I couldn't lose anymore wieght I became bulemic. 8 years later and I still binge and purge every once in a while. If my mother would have done something about this at an earlier age, I wouldn't have the problems I do now.

I may get scolded for saying this, but being an overwieght kid is TERRIBLE. Even if it is just a little, you get made fun of, won't be able to participate in the things you want to. . .seriously, coming from experience, I could go on forever. (But I'll stop because you may have lost interest already)

When your kids start losing weight, compliment them. (Be careful about this though, you never want them to think they were inadequate before). Then take them out and buy them some clothes. Whether they admit it or not, they will be SOOO thankful that they are losing weight!!

(I'm assuming they are at least in 4th grade. If younger, then disregard all of this. They probably don't care too much about their weight problem)

 

[Robinrs]

If you do a search of my posts on WISH you will find out my stories about my son, Michael who is on Atkins with me.

Every child is different. How you approach it should match the personality of the child. Regardless of how any child is realize that you are in the best position right now to handle this, while you are in control of what they eat.

Since you are already on a plan you can fix meals to match yours while making sure that they get adapted versions of their favorite foods. Michael loves chicken nuggets so I make them with chicken breast and parmesan cheese. Check the recipes on this forum, there are great ones there!

I also had to make sure that there was NOTHING in the house to tempt him. Keep low carb treats in the house and never tell them what hey are! I keep sugar free jello, cheesecakes made from splenda and cheese snacks like Rip Ems in the fridge for whenever he's hungry. Find a vegetable they will eat and feed it to them a LOT! I sprinkle cheddar cheese shreds on top of broccoli and Michael LOVES it!

Michael had a slow start and was a bit dismayed at first then the results came rolling in. At first it was physical, he had twice the energy! Then the compliments came rolling in and then POOF! The self esteem shoots through the roof! After the results are obvious it becomes very easy to be on this "way of eating."

BTW, the word DIET is NEVER mentioned in this house. I told him from the beginning we're adapting a healthy "way of eating" that will in the long term get us to where we want to be. It takes away that "quick fix" mentality and the feeling like we're sacrificing or being deprived.

Remember that they are still growing and need vitamins and more fruit than we need. I went down to 20 to 35 carbs per day, I never got lower than 40 for Michael. He is 36 pounds lighter since January and I now have a new kid! It's a mental and emotional change as well as a physical change.

God bless and do not hesitate to PM me if you need a shoulder or advice. I got some AMAZING support from this board... it actually brings tears to my eyes when I think about where I was in January and where I am now... and the only thing I can do to thank them is to pass it on.

Robinrs

 

[tmfranlk]

I would go along with most of the others here and recommend improving their eating and exercise habits. You don't even need to tell them it is a diet, because I would argure that it isn't. Instead, you are trying to provide them with healthy meals and snacks. I would probably just go with an adapted version of your own plan since you already know how to do that. Since you are low carb, feed them the same thing that you are having for dinner. Maybe just add some fruit or good whole grain carbs so that they are getting the nutrients they need. Most of all, eliminate the bad snacks from the house. It's hard for adults to choose a snack of cheese or fruit over chocolate so it's got to be even harder for a kid.

I would also encourage them to exercise. Get them outside and playing after school or through sports. Plus, you could add a family walk to your evening plans.

Good luck!