I should probably start with this fact. I don't have children.
KEEP READING!
I don't have kids, but I was overweight as a child. So maybe I can't speak on my parenting experience, but I can speak from a child's point of view.
I was skinny through 1st grade. And then in 2nd grade I started gaining weight. It all started with the day my grandfather bought me a doughnut while we were grocery shopping.... Ok, not really but the times did coincide. The fact that I can pinpoint my weight gain at age 7 is a problem in and of itself.
Anyway, I digress.
I gained weight each year and even though I was never bullied, I was aware that I was overweight in comparison to my classmates. My 3rd grade teacher made a big deal about my being over 100lbs. My uncle told me I would have to lose weight to be in his wedding. He was NOT engaged by the way. Just crushing my spirits for no reason. My grandmother (by marriage) made comments about how I needed to lose weight every time I saw her. I should add, these RUDE people never said these things to me when my mom was around.
I'm sorry. I was 8, how exactly did they expect me to know how to correct the "problem" that they so graciously were bringing to my attention? They didn't think about that part. Or how their comments would make me feel.
So yeah, it's true that people don't remember what you said, but how you made them feel. Can't quote any of these people, but I know my feelings were hurt.
That was my experience. Pair that with the fact that I saw a father acting like a drill sergeant towards his slightly overweight, prepubescent daughter last night in the gym... and here we are. I gotta address this.
So what do you do if your child is overweight?
For starters, you don't say hurtful things to them and to the best of your ability you keep others from doing that as well. They know. You don't have to tell them. My niece was in kindergarten last year and well aware that she was bigger than the other children. So believe me - you don't need to tell them. Do you tell grown ups they are "fat?" No. And if you do, stop that.
Then you have to address their exercise & nutrition in a natural way. In other words, make changes to the family's lifestyle without drawing attention to their weight and/or size.
In terms of food, start cooking and buying healthier foods. No "diet" talk. Just do it. Let them pick their favorite fruits and veggies. Teach them to cook. Make it fun for them. My mom started teaching my niece all about fruits and veggies and introducing her to new foods. She loved it & doesn't put up a big stink about eating them. Diet talk is hurtful and reinforces the idea that something is wrong with them. You're the adult. You control the food. Replace junk food with healthier options. And model the behavior! Everybody needs to eat healthier! Again, you don't want to make them self-conscious.
Now exercise. My mom bought us a trampoline. My brother started jumping and learned to flip on it. All kinds of things. He lost weight. I read on the trampoline. Like laid down and used it as a hammock. And on hot days, I took a blanket outside and laid under the trampoline for shade. It's ok you can laugh. I am laughing as I type this. How ridiculous was I?!!? So the trampoline didn't work. But when I was in the 6th grade she signed me up for "cheernastics." Basically it was cheerleading and tumbling skills. I went 3 days a week, but because I enjoyed it I practiced all the time too. Voila! I started losing weight & that was the beginning of my athletic interests.
Find something your child enjoys doing & let them do it. And again, this shouldn't just be "their thing." Be an example. Let them see you being active too.
My best friend Tiffany is a great example of all of this. She runs with my Goddaughter & they even do races together. Cam knows she is exercising, but she is more focused on hanging with her mom than anything else. And Tiff exposed Cam to healthy foods early on, so she enjoys things like salads (her lunch of choice this school year) and brussels sprouts (which I've seen her eat alongside pizza lol).
Children have no business "dieting and working out" unless they are serious athletes. They have their entire lives to be consumed with body image. Protect their innocence and show them how to live a healthy lifestyle.
KEEP READING!
I don't have kids, but I was overweight as a child. So maybe I can't speak on my parenting experience, but I can speak from a child's point of view.
I was skinny through 1st grade. And then in 2nd grade I started gaining weight. It all started with the day my grandfather bought me a doughnut while we were grocery shopping.... Ok, not really but the times did coincide. The fact that I can pinpoint my weight gain at age 7 is a problem in and of itself.
Anyway, I digress.
I gained weight each year and even though I was never bullied, I was aware that I was overweight in comparison to my classmates. My 3rd grade teacher made a big deal about my being over 100lbs. My uncle told me I would have to lose weight to be in his wedding. He was NOT engaged by the way. Just crushing my spirits for no reason. My grandmother (by marriage) made comments about how I needed to lose weight every time I saw her. I should add, these RUDE people never said these things to me when my mom was around.
I'm sorry. I was 8, how exactly did they expect me to know how to correct the "problem" that they so graciously were bringing to my attention? They didn't think about that part. Or how their comments would make me feel.
So yeah, it's true that people don't remember what you said, but how you made them feel. Can't quote any of these people, but I know my feelings were hurt.
That was my experience. Pair that with the fact that I saw a father acting like a drill sergeant towards his slightly overweight, prepubescent daughter last night in the gym... and here we are. I gotta address this.
So what do you do if your child is overweight?
For starters, you don't say hurtful things to them and to the best of your ability you keep others from doing that as well. They know. You don't have to tell them. My niece was in kindergarten last year and well aware that she was bigger than the other children. So believe me - you don't need to tell them. Do you tell grown ups they are "fat?" No. And if you do, stop that.
Then you have to address their exercise & nutrition in a natural way. In other words, make changes to the family's lifestyle without drawing attention to their weight and/or size.
In terms of food, start cooking and buying healthier foods. No "diet" talk. Just do it. Let them pick their favorite fruits and veggies. Teach them to cook. Make it fun for them. My mom started teaching my niece all about fruits and veggies and introducing her to new foods. She loved it & doesn't put up a big stink about eating them. Diet talk is hurtful and reinforces the idea that something is wrong with them. You're the adult. You control the food. Replace junk food with healthier options. And model the behavior! Everybody needs to eat healthier! Again, you don't want to make them self-conscious.
  |
| (top) Me, my mom, Tiffany, Cam &a friend at a race a few years ago. (bottom) Tiffany & Cam at a Color Vibe 5K they recently ran together. |
Now exercise. My mom bought us a trampoline. My brother started jumping and learned to flip on it. All kinds of things. He lost weight. I read on the trampoline. Like laid down and used it as a hammock. And on hot days, I took a blanket outside and laid under the trampoline for shade. It's ok you can laugh. I am laughing as I type this. How ridiculous was I?!!? So the trampoline didn't work. But when I was in the 6th grade she signed me up for "cheernastics." Basically it was cheerleading and tumbling skills. I went 3 days a week, but because I enjoyed it I practiced all the time too. Voila! I started losing weight & that was the beginning of my athletic interests.
Find something your child enjoys doing & let them do it. And again, this shouldn't just be "their thing." Be an example. Let them see you being active too.
My best friend Tiffany is a great example of all of this. She runs with my Goddaughter & they even do races together. Cam knows she is exercising, but she is more focused on hanging with her mom than anything else. And Tiff exposed Cam to healthy foods early on, so she enjoys things like salads (her lunch of choice this school year) and brussels sprouts (which I've seen her eat alongside pizza lol).
Children have no business "dieting and working out" unless they are serious athletes. They have their entire lives to be consumed with body image. Protect their innocence and show them how to live a healthy lifestyle.
 |
| Thanks Mom for not belittling me or making me feel self-conscious no matter what size I was! |
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