i have four children ages, six, ten, thirteen, and seventeen. They are all grossly overweight. I know they need to lose weight, but nothing i do seems to help, and it is a constant battle to keep them from eating so much. I worry constantly about their health. I take responsibilty for letting them get this way. But i now see the error of my ways, and want to help them. But they are all so stubburn and dont think they need to lose weight. They all love to eat, it is their favorite thing to do. How can i change thier thiniking? I have a seven year old that weights 180 lbs., a ten year old that weighs 205, a thirteen year old that weighs 320 and a seventeen year old that weighs about 410. So any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the advice.
2006-07-19 13:56:23 · 6 answers · asked by iloveatrucker06 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
make the 17 and 13 year olds go to a fitness camp and after that a gym if you can find one that will take teens. This can be expensive if you can't afford it just do at home exercises, make them do exercise before they can do what they want. It may be too late to change the 17 year olds eating habits. Put them on a strict diet, don't give them money for school snacks, pack their lunch, something like turkey or chicken on wheat with lowfat mayo, celery and carrots, and fruit for dessert and however much change it costs to buy low-fat milk. Don't feed them large meals, make them eat regular small snacks instead. Small amounts of candy or sweets only once a week. No juice, get them to drink water or flavored water. If you can't afford fruits and vegis and stuff like that, just read labels and do what you can, feed them less count their calories. Don't give up. If you don't correct this the state may take them away since it is such an extreme case with every one of them. Take them to the doctor find out if anything besides eating habbits might be causing this, like thyroid problems.
I feel really sorry for your situation. Good luck, you can do it. This can be a long process, maybe a couple of years.
2006-07-19 14:13:43 · answer #1 · answered by moonbaby279 4 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Tough one. Best solution is consult a nutritionist.
Second best, or cheaper? Well, do not ever have any commercial "snack food" inside your home, no chips no dips, no candy, high calorie stuff, no soda, no ice cream, no sour cream,etc.
Don't buy "fat free" stuff cuz they replace the fat with suger or sodium...bad bad bad. Soda, and carbonated drink is not only empty calories but the bubbles (phosphorus sp?) actually takes the calcium out of your kids' bones (yours too)
Keep on hand strawberries which are sweet or other fruits, healthy nuts & raisins for when you get the munchies... cook mostly veggies, with a smaller amount of meat that is mostly fat free. Salad dressing is a hidden fat... people will eat a salad cuz it is "healthy" and then dump a whole cup of fattening ranch dressing on top. Stick to oil & vinegar, and greenest lettuce you can find. Iceburg is a waste of your money. Keep pasta to a minimum, rice too. You give the portions, and if they want seconds, make sure they have more veggies before you let them have the seconds on meator whatever.
Not only will they be more full with high fiber foods but they will retain that full feeling longer, because high sugar or fats only satisfy for a short burst of time, then you are hungry again.
NO FAST FOOD AT ALL. hard to do with teens, I know.
This is their life, but they will not think diabetis will happen to them, heart disease is for old farts etc. While you still have control, excercise it. If they refuse to eat, fine. when they go looking for a snack behind your back at home at least, they will not find those chips cuz you didn't stock them. they will find sweet fruit.
I have been told red cabbage with salt on it takes like chips, satisfying that crunch want, but carrots work better for me. Dessert should be fruit & yogurt or something healthy, maybe a fruit smoothie....you make. good luck and I am proud of you for taking responsibility & the initiative to make the wrong, better!
Oh, and buy or borrow a book on healthy eating, there are soo many to chose from so talk to your doctor for a suggestion.
2006-07-19 21:14:11 · answer #2 · answered by ibelieveintheconstitution 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For obesity usually takes a longer period for anything to show results, and I think a good 2-3 months need to be spent on diet. Lots of vegetables, five small (very small) snacks, and you have to kick them out, outdoor activities are a must. Do you have bikes? Pool? Parks nearby? Stomach adjusts to food doses, and at first they will crave bigger portions, but you and kids have to be persistant to always eat the same small amounts of daily intake. Milk helps regulation of the system. Pop absolutelly out!
Good luck!
2006-07-19 21:22:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my God. I really feel bad for this uphill battle you will climb trying to unravel the "ways" you have taught them.
Get them to a doctor quick -- they can do a physical checkup and refer you to a good dietician. You need to get your children counseling too to change their thinking patterns regarding food.
If you don't they won't see their 30th birthday.
2006-07-19 21:04:19 · answer #4 · answered by bluuezzz 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
control carbohydrates
give them fruits and vegetables more
after every 2 - 3 hours they should take some fruits or vegetables
give them foods only at dinner and supper time
guide them about exercise ,walking,jogging..etc...
do not give them coke/pepsi/fruits juices ...
give them water when thirsty
2006-07-19 21:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by kam 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send them to fat camp.
2006-07-19 21:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋