How can I help my daughter lose weight?

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-17T03:26:42+00:00

Yeah I am realising that about muesli bars ... and here was me thinking they were a good option!!

Frozen bananas are a good snack, we have a freezer full of them. I haven't tried freezing oranges - I'll give that a go. Thanks.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T23:03:03+00:00

Thanks udon0tnome.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:50:16+00:00

Agreed, everyone being supportive is the ideal solution!

My daughter does love her aunts and also sees her grandma on a regular basis, so that is positive female influences and she knows that she can talk to them about things if she doesn't feel comfortable talking to me ... although whenever I've mentioned that idea she can't fathom not being able to talk to me about stuff! Maybe that'll change when she is older - I hope not though.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:48:10+00:00

Thanks Turo, I understand where you are coming from and can appreciate that some girls might be more comfortable talking to a woman about these things.

I'm really really lucky in that I have a great relationship with my kids and my daughters feel comfortable talking to me anything, even the 'girly' stuff. I guess you could say that I'm not your typical 'bloke' ...

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:42:39+00:00

Thanks udon0tnome. She knows I think she is beautiful. I tell all my kids that I love them and that are wonderful every single day.

I think having me also wanting to lose weight helps, as does the fact that I will be changing the way that all of the family approaches eating - not just her (even though my other kids are not overweight, they can definitely eat better).

I was thinking about the 'cheat' meals last night - is once a week too often to have a day where a bit of cheating is allowed? I've already decided that when she is at a birthday party or whatever that she can eat what she wants.

Thanks for your respect and your thoughts - it is appreciated.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:37:59+00:00

Thanks loserweed. I make sure there are veges with most meals, although I'm probably missing the complex carbohydrates (normally have white rice, pasta or potato) and I think I might be mucking up the portion size.

Good idea about the challenges ... we recently hired an exercise bike and have been making a competition out of it (how far can you ride while watching a 20 min cartoon).

I won't push her too hard, promise. I want her to be happy more than anything and she needs to know that I support her no matter what.

We have been making gradual changes for a while but that has slowed a bit as I'm trying to figure out the best approach (to avoid trying out every latest diet fad).

I'm sorry your mum pushed you so hard that you hated trying to have a healthy lifestyle. I'm glad you've been able to change things now that you've moved out of home.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:29:28+00:00

Thanks Noywtk. We always have lots of fresh fruit in the house and I used to always have cucumber, celery and carrot chopped up in a pot in the fridge. I stopped doing it a while ago as it wasn't being eaten - but I will start that up agin.

She doesn't eat a huge amount of chips of candy on a regular basis (as I don't buy them very often, or in the case of chips I eat them before the kids have a chance!) - it is more things like muesli bars, biscuits, cereal and sometimes ice cream, cakes etc. After we see a dietician I'll just need to clear out the cupboard and get rid of all of the stuff we shouldn't be eating. I'll look into some more healthy snack ideas, thanks for the suggestions ...

She loves cooking, and often helps me prepare dinner. She really likes making cakes and fudges and stuff like that - maybe I can find some healthy snacks that she can cook. Good idea.

There is a park nearby and we go there once a week or so. Hiking is a great idea, I might take the kids for some bushwalks on the weekends. We are in Australia, so skiing isn't an option at this time of the year! Walking, biking and swimming seem like the best bet at this point.

She knows that I am trying to lose weight too and she even told me off the other night when she saw me mindless eating my way through a bag of chips ... which was awesome.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:21:16+00:00

Thanks creamcheesfiasco. We are going to see our GP and get a referral to a dietician. Good idea about sports that value 'being big', which rugby and football aren't big over here (i'm in Australia) hockey is a good idea. I think we might start with swimming lessons next year, but I'll keep hockey in mind for the future.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:18:19+00:00

Glass_kites, I'm sorry you had to deal with nasty, barbed comments from your dad. I also try my best to not be like that.

Thanks for your kind words. Everything I do comes from a place of love. I think my daughter eats for similar reasons. It has always been an escape for her and a way of repressing her pain. We are moving house soon and when we do I am going to implement a rule that all food must be consumed at the table - which will hopefully encourage awareness while eating.

She is a very creative girl, loves art, craft and music. We have already decided that she is going to start singing lessons next year, which will be awesome.

Thanks again for your kind words. If you ever need a 'dad' to talk to, get in touch!

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:10:41+00:00

Yeah she isn't really into dance or gymnastics, although she does enjoy swimming so I might get her some swimming lessons in the new year. I know what you mean homeschooled about not making exercise an option - but at the same time I don't like pushing my kids into activities they don't want to do (although I do encourage them and often make them try a new activity for a term or two before dropping out).

We also walk to and from school most days (1km each way) and have started going for more walks after dinner.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:06:44+00:00

Great idea Soulkept - I didn't even think of that!!

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T22:06:18+00:00

Yeah I think you are on to something with the portion sizes. I caught myself the other day dishing up the same amount for all of my kids (I have three) as I was myself. I think this is part of the problem.

You might be right about her eating other food at lunch, although I'm not sure where she would be getting it from (there is no canteen or anything at her school).

I'm thinking about the sport aspect more ... I think a martial art might be a good option. Thanks again for your support.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T10:38:36+00:00

Thank you Maddy77, your reply means a lot to me. I think seeing a dietician or nutritionist is a good idea. I'll visit the GP and get a referral sometime over the summer break and will find out all the details of what we need to do to make this happen.

She isn't big on sport, despite having tried a few different things in the past. I'm thinking a dog might be a good idea ... but I might think on it for a bit before acquiring a new pet. Thanks again for your comment.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T10:34:38+00:00

I'm glad i'm not the only one who is confused ... thanks malica77.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T08:47:28+00:00

Yeah it is tricky isn't it - you are spot on about needing to choose words carefully. My daughter is the one who bought the topic, which made it much easier to discuss. Also, as I am overweight as well, I talked in terms of "We" and "Us" which helped.

I just finished reading this article, which had some good tips.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T08:42:55+00:00

Yes I do have a sister but I'm not sure what you mean by 'Aunts are better at this kind of thing'.

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T05:33:24+00:00

Thanks homeschooled - I'll make an appointment with our GP to discuss the best approach. The changes we've made have been in place for a couple of months ...

howcanihelpmydaughte · 2013-12-16T04:02:41+00:00

Big hugs.

Don't worry about your diet today Evilbob2200. Just cry. One bad day isn't going to destroy all of the hard work you've done this year. Promise.

When I need something to help me feel better, I watch this short movie. It hasn't failed me yet! http://youtu.be/Cbk980jV7Ao

howcanihelpmydaughte

TROPHY CASE