Trim Kids

[Suzimom]

My husband and I joined our DS forTrim Kids that started in our area the end of January. It's a program through the Y and is a cooperative project between a local hospital and other agencies to help kids attain a healthy weight.

DS (10 - almost 11!!!) has been overweight most of his life. I was the same way; in the summer between my 5th and 6th grade years, I sprouted very tall and was very active at the pool...because of that I seemed to ...lose a lot of weight. I've held myself to the belief that DS would be in the same position I was.

DS has dealt with a lot of teasing and bullying due to his weight. I've tried to be a positive force for him, reminding him of my experiences and how I overcame them. As DH and I looked at things realistically, though, we realized there were significant differences that we would have to adjust to...I grew up in a small town...DS eats out a lot more than I did at his age...I lived across from the pool...DS has less access to the pool...in the summer I played with kids in the neighborhood...DS is virtually alone in the neighborhood in the summer due to parents working and daycare necessities...

Soo....DH & I signed up for Trim Kids after a friend recommended it.

Since starting at the end of January, DS has lost 12.6 pounds and 2.5 inches from his waist.

It's not always been fun and exciting. DS HATES having to write everything into his journal (what he eat and his activity). However, he loves it more that he has made such great progress. He said to us at the halfway point, "A lot of kids think people who are obese can't do anything or are lazy...I'd like to see them lose 2 1/2 inches off their waist in 6 weeks!!!!!!!!!" Wow -- Did that make me feel like it was all worth it!!!!!!!

We're going on a spring break trip to my sister's (not very health-oriented) then to WDW in June for 10 days. I'm so worried about losing our momentum...For our spring break trip, we'll do Subway for lunch & stop at Land Between the Lakes for a good hike on our way down from Iowa...I'm planning a good sit-down dinner (we'll split an entree) in Nashville and we'll play in the hotel pool that night and possibly the next morning. I've warned my sister and her family that we're eating smaller portions and will be out and active when we can (we just bought roller blades and love walking)...My sister and her family are pretty sedentary people who eat very rich foods...

As far as Disney goes, I've decided not to do many ADR's. I know that a lot of the fun of Disney is eating out, but I think we're going to have to refocus our thoughts of fun. I'm not going to deprive us of anything major, but I don't think we need a huge meal each night. Seth deserves a Mickey waffle a time or two this trip & we're doing a character dinner at the contemporary (we'll just have to review good portions in a positive way).

Any thoughts or advice????????????

We'll be enforcing the water-only rule for most of the day (or crystal light option - luckily, Seth likes sugar-free drinks -- yuck - I'm not fan). We'll have a fridge so we can do our own breakfasts with healthy cereals/skim milk/fruit for breakfast...

I don't want to be obsessive, but I don't want Seth to lose what he's started...what a bummer for him. He's worked so hard & feels so good about where he is right now!!!!

Thanks for any advice...

Susan

 

[mikamah]

Congratulations to you for helping you son get on a great, healthy path in life. It sounds like he's doing just fabulous, and everything you're planning sounds great to me. I think, as far as disney, you'll be doing a lot of walking, and by having fewer sit down meals, he'll be able to have a few splurges, and be just fine. It sounds like he's going to have a good knowledge base by the time you go do disney, that he'll be able to make smart food choices on his own too. It's so nice to see your kids succeed. You must be so proud.
Thanks for sharing your story, and good luck.

 

[MJMouse]

I'll preface my comments by saying that I am not a parent, and I don't pretend to understand what it is like to be a parent. However, I was an overweight child and I became an obese adult. At 28 I'm taking back the control over my life and getting healthy, but it would have been a lot easier at 10 or 12. I really commend you and your husband for helping your son take positive, proactive steps towards maintaining a healthy weight.

I think you have some great ideas for making both trips healthier for the whole family. My suggestion is to involve your son in creating a vacation health plan. He is at an age where he can understand trade-offs and exercise and occasional splurges. Why not make it a learning experience? This is a life change that he (and your whole family really) is making... he should be involved in the planning.

It's my opinion that he will be much happier with his new eating plan long term if he has some control over it now.

P.S. Remember you will be doing a lot of walking in Disney.

 

[disneyfam]

Great Job Mom!

I can tell you what I did in Disney. I was on WW on our last trip. But I had the same "I'm on vacation I'm treating myself" feeling. I can tell you I was not deprived and I only gained 1.5 lbs.

I just paid attention to my side dishes. Here are some examples: If I had a burger, I didn't have fries I had carrots. If I wanted fries I had a healthier entree choice.

We ate Chef Mickeys, Coral reef, Whispering Canyon, Rose and Crown. I just watched my portions.

Don't worry, it can be done. And with all that walking you do in Disney it equals out some indulgence.

Good luck to you!!

Cynde

 

[Suzimom]

I think, as far as disney, you'll be doing a lot of walking, and by having fewer sit down meals, he'll be able to have a few splurges, and be just fine. It's so nice to see your kids succeed. You must be so proud.

I really am very proud. Thanks for letting me brag here. I love the disboards -- what a wonderful place to get support and advice that isn't limited to...what is the best time to visit this park?...or...how can I get from Point A to Point B on the bus? I love finding out that information, too, but the human factor is my favorite aspect of posting and reading comments. Thanks for your positive reaction.

At 28 I'm taking back the control over my life and getting healthy, but it would have been a lot easier at 10 or 12.

My suggestion is to involve your son in creating a vacation health plan. He is at an age where he can understand trade-offs and exercise and occasional splurges. Why not make it a learning experience? This is a life change that he (and your whole family really) is making... he should be involved in the planning.

It's my opinion that he will be much happier with his new eating plan long term if he has some control over it now.

P.S. Remember you will be doing a lot of walking in Disney.

Research through the Trim Kids program supports precisely what you're saying. The earlier we can help kids learn to develop healthy habits, the easier it is for them to adapt and be healthy the rest of their lives. Congratulations to you for taking the control for yourself! It's not an easy thing to do at all!!!

You are absolutely right about ownership for him. DH and I are learning when to back-off (ok, mostly me since I'm more of a control-freak than DH ). Sometimes we have to let Seth make a few mistakes and realize the consequences; otherwise he just thinks we're being bossy and he has no freedoms. Thanks for your advice. Maybe for the few ADRs we'll do for a TS meal, I'll give him various restaurant choices and let him decide for our family what we should do. I'm also going to have to give him leeway when ordering...as I said before, I can be controlling & I shall have to sit on my hands, bite my tongue, and imagine fairy dust surrounding me when he doesn't choose what I would...

Yes, we will be walking A LOT! Seth's been reminding me of this as well! Indulging a little will be just fine, I know!!

I can tell you what I did in Disney. I was on WW on our last trip. But I had the same "I'm on vacation I'm treating myself" feeling. I can tell you I was not deprived and I only gained 1.5 lbs.

I just paid attention to my side dishes. Here are some examples: If I had a burger, I didn't have fries I had carrots. If I wanted fries I had a healthier entree choice.

We ate Chef Mickeys, Coral reef, Whispering Canyon, Rose and Crown. I just watched my portions.

Don't worry, it can be done. And with all that walking you do in Disney it equals out some indulgence.

Good luck to you!!

Cynde

I'm very interested in doing Coral Reef...we eat fish a lot. It's one of Seth's favorite dishes & is so healthy when prepared correctly. I haven't done Whispering Canyon and don't know much about it...what types of food choices does it have?

Congratulations on basically maintaining while you were there!

Thanks again to all of you for your kind words, support, and advice. Please feel free to share more if something wonderful (or even mundane, but helpful!!) comes to mind.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Guess what....we're going to Disney World & we're still gonna be healthy!!!!

Susan

 

[disneyfam]

I'm very interested in doing Coral Reef...we eat fish a lot. It's one of Seth's favorite dishes & is so healthy when prepared correctly. I haven't done Whispering Canyon and don't know much about it...what types of food choices does it have?

We have never had a bad meal at the Coral Reef! They have more than fish. I had a great Pumpkin Risotto there. The Whispering Canyon doesn't really have the healthiest food but as long as you don't get the all you can eat skillet you can control your portions. I had the Western Chicken Pasta - with fresh vegetables tossed with Roasted Garlic Chipotle Cream Sauce there. Soo gooood. The cream sauce sort of negates the good chicken and veggies but it was rich enough that I was satisfied and I only ate a quarter of it.

Have you looked at the Disney menus? That may help you. I don't want to promote another site on this one but if you do a google search on Disney Menus you should find it.

Great Job mom & son!!

Cynde