Starved Child?

Question

I am in my 20's and very fit. I exercise daily and eat healthy. I have been blessed with a fast metabolism, and fast feet.
My step-sister is 12- she is average for her age- However she eats non-stop and it is hell to pull her away from the TV.
Each week at grandma's house I am told that my step-sister is SOOOO skinny! "Look at her", "You're bones girl!" When in actaulity she has a gut.....

When she hears this, she thinks she trully is skinny and takes the 3rd plate of food, and then sits on her butt.
Both her parents are slightly over weight- I don't want her to be unhealthy, but I don't know how to approach the subject with her that now is the time to be more active- Advice?

Answer 1

instead of confronting her directly, ask her to play a game with you like just pass the soccer ball around, go walking, go bike riding..... hopefully she will learn to like to do exercises...it doesn't have to be strenuous but once she sees some one she looks up to doing it she will be come motivated to move in your foot steps. also try to get her to join a school team. you also have to talk with your grandmother telling her to make healthier mealsand to give your sis smaller portions

Answer 2

I can see why your having a time with this. This is a very difficult age for kids anyway and with family giving her one view on her weight when its actually the opposite could result in weight issues later in life. Its great that you care enough about your step sister to be concerned about her health now and later. Have you tried to get her to exercise with you? This would give you both an extra reason to be conscious of each other. I'd try starting with that and just tell her you would like her company during some of your exercise time. Not all of it or you might decide you don't like it anymore! If she doesn't want to do it that way tell her its a way for the two of you to spend time together and get to know each other better. Although you may not want to exercise with her. I can't think of another way right now but good luck.

Answer 3

I don't know how close you two are, but perhaps you could entice her to do something fun with you- take some kind of neat class together, like kickboxing, salsa or belly dance, or yoga. Then you'd be getting her interested in something without it being "let's go exercise". If you guys don't really get along, maybe you can advice your parents and grandma that even if she is a "bones girl" it's not healthy for her to sit on her butt day in an day out. Maybe she need some meat on her 'boney body' in the form of muscle, let grandma know that she could put on weight by exercising more. Just a thought...

Answer 4

You Could Get Her Interested In Sports,Maby Even Play With Her Every Once In Awhile.Or Join An Excercising Program Where She Will Become Intersted and Not Want To Eat So Much Or Waych So Much Television =]

Answer 5

She is only 12 - there is a good chance that that gut will go away all on its own in the next year or two. It is very honorable of you to care about your stepsister. Set an example is really probably all you will be able to do.

Answer 6

Maybe you could join a gym with her...tell her you want to spend more time with her. Then she would get more excersise and you guys would get to hang out more. Or you could talk to her parents about her eating habits...being alittle overweight isnt that bad since she is still growing as far as heights go. But being way over weight is not good for her health and could cause more complications into adulthood. Good Luck

Answer 7

You say she is average with a gut. I think you could get her interested in more activity, and perhaps cook for her some nights over at your place. But I think you should be a little less arrogant and remember 12 is an ackward age for many girls that sometimes fixes itself. Also, perhaps be a little more modest yourself.

Answer 8

Your grandmother needs to shut her mouth and stop telling her that she's so skinny. When I was in my teens, I was 25 lbs overweight. My stepfather always told me I was 'too fat' and I was 'lazy'. So, I went on a diet and lost the weight. Suddenly, my grandmother started telling me I was too skinny and that i looked sick. I heard this day after day. I eventually put all the weight back on, and more. It's much harder to lose than to gain, that's for sure.

Answer 9

try to play things with her and unplug the TV and like go for a walk just talk about how life is. show her how fun it is when you aren't watching TV and how better much better it is when you don't just sit around.

Answer 10

tell her the truth. The truth hurts but she needs to know. Get her to go for a walk with you and start from there.