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Post by laurac on Nov 12, 2012 13:45:47 GMT -6
My DD is overweight. She has gained weight over the last year and I know she's not happy with how she looks. She wears a lot of yoga pants, big sweatshirts, leggings, all that. DH buys her poptarts for breakfast, or cheetos for snacks when she gets home from school. I know she eats terribly, and I'm sure we all do.
How do I teach her (and I really don't know this) how to eat better? My boys haven't had this issue. She does not exercise AT ALL. She likes the breads, pastas, sweets.
I also decided that I'm telling her she can't go out to eat during the week. She can pick one night on the weekend to go with her friends but I know her going out to eat doesn't help either.
I'm looking for tips on how to start this conversation.
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Post by sarahisis on Nov 12, 2012 13:55:11 GMT -6
maybe eating whole grain breads and pastas would help... and not getting rid of sweets all together, but maybe finding something like dark chocolate to eat just a little piece a day... and fruit smoothies could also help with that craving and make a nice breakfast with some protein powder in it.
Whole grain english muffins with an egg, slice of turkey bacon and lowfat cheese make for a nice breakfast sandwich too and it's really simple to make. Special K cereals helped me lose a little weight, along with their breakfast and snack bars and protein shakes
eliminate high fat snacks from the house and stick to pretzles, popcorn and almons... a chex mix is a good way to add flavor to those
fat free frozen yogurt for an icecream treat... or blended for a milkshake
You could start the conversation just by telling her that you are goign to start making a consious effort to eat healthier and that you think that you would be more successful if you had someone to do it with you! My family once had a contest to see who could go the longest w/o eating "junk" food!! and their was a reward at the end... whoever won, had to buy dinner for the family.
taking small steps is the best way...
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Post by sarahisis on Nov 12, 2012 13:56:20 GMT -6
not whoever won... whoever lost had to buy dinner lol
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Post by smalltowngirl5 on Nov 12, 2012 14:00:49 GMT -6
My suggestions for teaching her to eat better would be to try not to have all the processed foods, starches, sweets, etc. in the house and start replacing with healthier options. Whole grain pasta in lieu of regular pasta. Have some fresh vegetables she likes all ready cut up and easily available same with fruit. Start slow and small and slowly replace some of the items with healthier choices.
As far as starting the conversation with her, I'm not much help other than being honest with her and telling her that you are very concerned about her and some of the eating habits she has developed. This is a very difficult subject to approach with any child for fear they go the other way and not eat.
Good luck.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 12, 2012 14:11:19 GMT -6
I agree with smalltowngirl. If it's not in the house, it's a lot harder to have. Of course if she's going out to eat also then it's really her issue. I'm not sure how you would bring it up without her getting mad at you and defensive. She probably already knows she has a problem and it will have to be her choice to make that move. The weight loss site I use had a partner site just for teens: www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=930Here's the link directly to the teen site: www.sparkteens.com/Perhaps you could print up the link and just have it "laying around" for her to find. I know that teens have slightly different issues than adults, so that's why they started a site just for teens.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 12, 2012 14:13:45 GMT -6
The best thing to do is model good eating behaviors, even if (since) you don't have any weight to lose. Eating well gives you good energy no matter what you weigh.
Talk to your husband about the junk food. It needs to be off limits in the house. Pop tarts for breakfast? You may as well be eating a candy bar, at least Snickers has protein. He really needs to be on board with it or it won't work. Family wellness is the best thing to help.
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Post by laurac on Nov 12, 2012 14:22:38 GMT -6
And he's a diabetic! So you'd think he would be ultra careful but he's not. He says he'd rather have her eat the poptarts than nothing at all but if she's hungry, she'll eat. Cripes she's almost 17!
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Post by dara1012 on Nov 12, 2012 14:26:23 GMT -6
This is tough. I have struggled with my weight and body image all my life. I know that I need to lose weight and still really struggle with making this a reality.
When I was your DD's age I had some blood sugar issues and I stopped eating anything with sugar in it and my snacks consisted of cottage cheese and pineapple and pretzel rods. Not eating sugar and being on the basketball team I lost about 50-60 lbs my freshman year. I got a lot of compliments which then unfortunately spiraled into an eating disorder my junior/senior years (and into college). So, while encourage healthy habits, this is a prime time to keep your eye out for disordered eating and body image issues. Exercise is really key for her, if she doesn't learn the exercise habit now it will only get harder. In HS and college I was on sports teams so I always got plenty of exercise, that is my downfall now as an adult. Since she isn't on sports teams you could try the Wii Fit or Just Dance on the Wii is good exercise, I've heard good things about Biggest Loser DVDs and these are things you could all do together.
When I am at my healthiest I am: exercising, eating salads daily, eating fruit, not eating out often, no fried foods.
Maybe you could sit down and plan menus? Oatmeal is a fast and healthy way to start the day. Also making fruit smoothies w/ just 100% juice, low fat yogurt, banana and frozen strawberries is fast and healthy.
If she has a smartphone she could do calorie tracking on an app like Spark People or My Fitness Pal.
Also keep in mind that the weight gain is most likely partly due to her self esteem issue from the issues the past year or so.
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Post by sarahisis on Nov 12, 2012 14:26:53 GMT -6
if you have access to a tupperware lady (jessica oviatt is one) they have this breakfast maker.. you put an egg or two in this bowl, some cheese, veggies and maybe a piece of bacon or ham and pop it in the microwave for 1 1/2 min ish per egg and voila, you have an omlet.. easy and yummy.
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Post by laurac on Nov 12, 2012 14:40:39 GMT -6
Good idea, Vic. No Christmas cookies this year. The boys will have a FIT!
she wants the game Zumba for her birthday and its for the wii. I think that will work out good for her. We wanted to join a gym but just don't have the extra money for that.
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Post by dara1012 on Nov 12, 2012 14:45:39 GMT -6
DH even likes doing the Just Dance for the Wii, if she is interested in the Zumba I would definitely do that and do it with her to make it more fun.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 12, 2012 14:46:41 GMT -6
Have hard boiled eggs prepared for the week (I even take the shell off so you don't have to do that in the morning). Those are great quick breakfasts, and filling too. Quick to make oatmeal packets may be higher in sugar, but if you look there are some that are lower in sugar and still tasty. It only takes a minute to make in the morning.
I love nuts! Target has some great mixes that are raw, so also not added extra oils. I love their mixed nuts and their cranberry nut mix.
Veggies that are ready to eat are also fun with the right dips. Everyone loves veggies with dip.
Put fruit in a bowl where everyone can see them. If it's in sight, it's more likely to be eaten.
Is there a group at school of peers with weight issues? Perhaps getting her in touch with others that have the same issue will help.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 12, 2012 14:47:59 GMT -6
Ohh, any of the dancing games will help! The really do make yo work up a sweat!
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Post by deannemdm on Nov 12, 2012 15:13:18 GMT -6
I know what i did for breakfast when I ws nursing and pregnant was to have large cup of warm milk and put pack of carnation instant breakfast (so it was hot chocolate--but healthy) and a fiber bar. Not real high calorie and the fiber makes it filling. other than that WHole grain bread (not just wheat sandwich bread) with peanut butter for protein. Or go for the eggs hard boiled or scrambled-- I have done it with extra veggies-- broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, zuchini, onion, carrots what is left from previous day or two
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Post by ReneeW on Nov 12, 2012 16:26:59 GMT -6
I'm loving all of these ideas, and in particular that you frame this as "We all need to eat healthier and exercise for our well being" conversation. Emphasizing whole grains, lots of vegetables, fruit, and as much unprocessed food as possible is a good start. At my house, I'll make a bunch of quinoa and add that to soups, chili, pasta etc. or substitute it for rice in a stir fry to ramp up my whole grain/protein intake. It would really help if she found an exercise that she likes, whether that's walking, dancing, hiking, etc. Here's an article about finding exercise that you like: experiencelife.com/article/find-your-fitness-passion/I love this "Being Healthy is a Revolutionary Act" manifesto for inspiration: revolutionaryact.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ManifestoBooklet_REV_ByLine.pdf
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