I stopped reading the replies after page 3, but let me give you my own experience in case it helps. I was a very skinny teen. I was 5'3" and weighed under 100 lbs when I graduated high school. I ate whatever I wanted and never gained an ounce, and while I was fairly active, I didn't play sports really. I did run, but honestly I wasn't even very good at that. Anyway, then I went to college and weighed about 105 lbs after my first year. Still a totally reasonable, if not skinny, number and I looked fine. Then the next year I was probably 112-115lbs by the end. By the time I graduated college I would say I was about 135lbs, but I didn't have a scale so I can't be sure of that. What I do know is that several months after I graduated I moved and joined a gym where you got a free training session with a trainer for signing up. That was the first time I had weighed myself in years and I was shocked, completely shocked, when the scale read 142lbs.
Now, you might wonder why I was in shock, as clearly it had taken a good 3 years to put on that weight, but I honestly had no idea how much weight I had put on at all. Yes, my shirt size went from XS to M and my pants from a 2 to an 8, but it happened gradually so I guess I didn't notice as much? Or didn't want to? Anyway, I was horrifed and determined to lose weight, but wasn't eating well so despite working out for 1-2 hours 5 days a week, I only lost about 5 lbs. over about 9 months, and at that point I got pregnant with my now 5yo. 2.5 years later I had another child and when he was 18 months old I was still weighing in around 140lbs.
It was at this point in my life that I decided I couldn't keep carrying around this weight, that it was healthy for me and that I owed it to my kids to be as fit as possible. So I joined WW and started walking and in about 3 months I was down 10 lbs. Now, just over a year later, I weigh 121lbs. It is a struggle, everyday, I won't lie. None of this was easy, but I knew I had to do it.
Anyway, my point after this long ramble is that I WISH my mom had said something to me. I remember one of my mom's friends mentioned I looked good with a little meat on me when I weighed about 110 lbs, but no one said anything 30 lbs. later. If my mom, or anyone else who cared for that matter (like my husband, family, etc.), had pointed out my weight gain before I hit my peak, it would have been much easier for me to learn different eating habits, control what I eat, etc. And I doubt no one else noticed cause when I look at photos I look heavy. If I could have curbed the problem at 20yo, rather than 28yo, it would have been much easier and healthier for me.
So I disagree with those saying "Don't tell your kid anything" because for me it would have been a huge help. WOuld I have wanted to hear it? No, of course not. But who ever wants to hear anything "bad/wrong" about themselves? Does a teen want to hear they aren't trying hard enough in school? No, but parent still tell them that cause it's important. And so is being overweight.
