How can i help my daughter lose weight?

Question

My daughter is 5'9", and weighs close to 280 lbs. She is very self-conscious because of this issue, and needs real help. We have not enough money to go to a gym, or join those weight loss programs, so I am not sure how I can help her...please help me help my daughter.

Answer 1

make healthy meals,drink lots of water no pop no fast food restaurants and you do not have to go to the gym just run a couple of laps around the block or through the woods or wherever you can run no powerade or gatorade just water do sit ups do any kind of exercises you can think of don't weigh yourself every day just to see if you've been losing because one day you you can lose three pounds and next day you can gain 5 usually its because of the water one thing you must not do is don't starve yourself that's the worse thing you can do eat small amounts of food like 5 times a day like a sandwich nothing with a lot of calories its better to do this than eat three big huge filling meals that fill you up to the limit try not to do this hopefully this will do the trick remember it wont just magically appear you must exercise and work for it good luck and chew your food with like a lot of chews this will be good for digestive so you wont gain as much weight when you chew your food

Answer 2

This is a good opportunity for you to show your daughter that you support her. Go online together and research healthy recipes that can replace some of the ones you already have. Get her in the kitchen so she can help you cook. This will teach her life long lessons in healthy cooking. Choose more fruits, veggies, and lean proteins when you are shopping. Find out what kind of activities she likes to do. You don't have to join a gym to get exercise. Going outside to throw a frisbee or kick a soccer ball counts. Maybe get her a pedometer and set up a few small goals for walking. As she meets them you can reward her with small things that don't revolve around food. Most of all, don't constantly remind her that she is overweight! Believe me, she already knows this and is harder on herself than you will ever be. What she needs from you is unconditional love and support. The weight is not going to come off over night. Be there for her when she hits those depressing plateaus and remind her that you love her no matter what.

Answer 3

Your genuine concern is obvious and several people have already given you some good tips on weight loss, but have you considered developing some activities/interests together that, while they may have the desired effect of weight-loss, actually focus on something else? Focusing on the weight-loss sends that message that weight is the important issue. Try focusing on an activity that will engage her brain and be fun -- the more she learns or gets better at the activity, the more confident she will be. Sometimes when a person is happier and more confident, the RESULT is some weight loss because he/she eats less comfort foods and has less time for munching. Yes, she needs help, and yes, you can do something, but be careful to make sure she knows that you LIKE her.

Answer 4

You can help her by making sure the food in the house is healthy...eat healthy with her...go for walks with her..give her positive reinforcement. If you need to lose weight as well then diet with her so she appreciates it that much more. I have weight issues but my daughter doesn't. I have had some of the best conversations with my daughter when we are out walking. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Start by changing everyone's lifestyle & diet- she will have a really hard time if she's the only one who has to eat/live more healthy.

Family walks - go for a walk around the neighborhood every day - it's free, good exercise, and you can spend quality time together. Later down the road, you can go jogging instead. :)

And encourage her- she won't lose the weight overnight or even in a few months, but every pound will be a victory! Smaller, more reachable goals will be an encouragement as she meets them.

Answer 6

All you need is determination. If she Really wants to lose weight, all shes gotta do is eat right and exercise daily. the most important thing is to stay focused and never give up. Good Luck!

Answer 7

The first thing you should do is cut out any soft drinks from her diet. Then you should cut out fried foods and make sure she only eats grilled meats and vegetables, a good way to start is to look at the nutrition triangle and obey it, then add exercise and get plenty of sleep.

Answer 8

You've already gotten some good tips, so I just thought I'd provide some links I've found for you.

For useful articles and information:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3041198

http://earthlink.webmd.com/content/article/48/2731_1647

For some easy exercise ideas:

http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Begin/exercises.htm

For some healthy recipes:

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-living/main.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/RE99999

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_health

Some advice for your specific situation:

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm

http://recipestoday.com/resources/articles/overweight.htm

Hope some of the tips and advice from everyone's answers helps you.

Answer 9

use the freezer to add some extra oomph to summer foods freeze grapes for some bite sized delights or get a popsicle mold and freeze some greek yogurt with berries

Answer 10

control what she eats and dont let her sit around make sure she is always doing something first start off walking then running or hopping around when in the living room keep that heart beating hard and itll start showing you dont need gyms fit ppl who seem to be "naturally" fit are active they dont need to sit around and watch tv for 4 hours at a time