My daughter weighs 120 pounds!?

Question

My oldest daughter, (12) weighs 120 pounds, she cries at night saying she "FAT" and she has too "suck in her tummy" around the popular kids at school or else they were call her names. Shes beautiful, so i think, but every time i tell her that she refuses. I want to end the endless crying at night. And i have diabetes so i can not excersise with her daily. We go for 15 minute walks every other, her and I, and she walks the dog around 6 blocks and back 2 times a day or more. Please give suggestions on this. I love my little girl, and i want her too be happy!

Thank you - BOP*

Answer 1

Without knowing how tall she is, it is hard to really give input on the situation. 120 lbs can range from being healthy, a couple pounds over the "ideal" weight, to being pretty plump.

If she is upset over her body and doesn't feel that comfortable in her own skin then help her to lose the extra pounds. Fill your house with healthy snacks and make sure she starts her day with a healthy breakfast. Encourage her to eat more small meals a day so she avoids snacking.

A food journal is the best way to see what is going on. Make sure she writes EVERY thing she eats during the day. You can then see what is causing the most calories. To much soda or sugary juice, late night snacking, not a balanced diet, etc.

She might not feel comfortable joining a schools sports team but sign her up for something outside of the school. Maybe an intramural sports, an aerobics class, some type of martial arts are very fun and get you into great shape.

Make sure she has a lot of fun things to do at home that encourage exercise - when my family bought a trampoline it really got everyone into better shape. A membership to a swimming pool to swim laps, bicycles, roller blades...anything to get you moving and not sitting on the couch or computer chair.

Set goals to meet each day - See how many minutes the family can jump rope, run in place, how many jumping jacks, situps in 2 minutes, etc. Make it fun!

Dance! Dancing is fun and burns a lot of calories.

Most importantly have healthy snacks on hand that are ready to just grab and eat. Throw all the junk food out. She doesn't need it, and no one does.

Switch to water! Just drinking water at meals will completely cut a ton of calories out of your diet.

Good luck! SD

Answer 2

Hey, I had the same problem in my last year of elementary school (5th grade) I got called fat. And you know what? I kept my chin up!

Since 5th grade, I started exercising more and eating right. Now, I'm not saying your girl is (dare I say it) fat, I'm just explaining my daily habits.

One hundred twenty pounds is the perfect weight at the time. I now have a mass of sixty-six kilograms (about 130 pounds) as of January 4, and I feel great.

Now, this girl in my science class, September, has the weirdest feeling that she's fat. Same with my best friend, Brian. Brian told me and Chris (other friend) to hide his mass so no one would know. But he still feels great. Now, back to September.

My science teacher said not to call anyone fat, even the girls, or something bad would happen. I personally don't think September is fat, I think she's perfect. Which is why I had a crush on her.

Just keep encouraging her that she isn't fat, and she will be better in no time.

I could also have a talk with your daughter via IM and tell her my own story.

Answer 3

ill tell you what.

i doubt this will help, but heres is my story. I weigh about 165 pounds. I have many friends and i am a cheerleader at my school. THE FIRST thing that she should hear, even if she doesnt listen, is that being popular is NOT waht matters, and if it matters to her it doesnt depend on how much you wiegh.

Since about fifth grade i have been through different eating and emotional disorders.. attempted starving my self then it turned into bulima, and now im not allowed in the bathroom after i eat for a certain amount of time and i am on prozac. i am 14 years old.

All of my life my parents would ask me to go on diets and try to get me to exercise, but i thought of it as critisism. I doubt youll take advice on children from a freshman in high school, but maybe this will help you get a better point of view. i am now happy with myslef, but would like to lose a few pounds. and i dont look or feel fat at all! muscle ways much more that fat, and i have done two years of track and cheerleading! This is most likely a phase that she will outgrow.

here there is a picture of me, at 165 pounds. i am the second from the right and am in the black dress. the girl next to me ways less than me!!!:

http://photo.xanga.com/cali_girl8380/db58883312334/photo.html

Answer 4

OK well the weight is something that you and your health provider should talk about.

General fitness is good for everybody, I know many diabetics both type 2 and type 1 who are active. they swim, cycle, jog, Rollerblade. no matter what you do activity wise. the key is to continue to exercise, OK, so its 15 min every other. To help her be more toned, not "bodybuilder" but toned, very little flab, then she needs to increase activity level, if she is already being active walking running cycling 20 minutes or so a day then look at diet, few sweets, lots of veggies. and low in fat or fried food.

Good luck

Answer 5

Things like that happen way too much. Some kids can really be brutal these days. I had the weight problem when I was a kid, but back in the 1960s, they knew better.

Personally, I just say that these "Twiggies" are just jealous. I think some of the most beautiful people are a little overweight. I'd much rather have someone who has a little more to love than a bean pole.

Answer 6

It really depends on how tall she is. If she's my height then 120 is the perfect weight (I'm 5 foot 2). It sounds like she's making a good attempt at exercise. I would contact her pediatrician and go over diet if there's a concern there, but what it really sounds like is that she needs some counseling. Not that this is a bad thing, but the other girls are probably putting a lot of pressure on her to be the media image of "Pretty". Good luck!

Answer 7

i agree with lori k swimming is not strenuous on your body, in fact it is the quickest way to see results without tearing your body up! being that she is overweight, trying the tredmill or eliptical or something might actually do more harm than good if she is just starting to work out. try swimming and once she starts getting used to that you can start her on work out equipment, have her drink 8 ounces of water a day if she would like a coke or tea or any caffinated drink, limit it to one a day and make it a must for her to drink a glass of water before she can have that drink and of course eating healthy is a big plus, i can work out all i want but if i eat junk food the majority of the day and right before bed time, it will take a long while to see even the smallest result if any at all! good luck i know this is hard for you as a mother watching your daughter cry! it will get better if you start her at a gym, or the ymca they have fitness consultants and trainers that would be more than happy to help you in any way necessary!

Answer 8

Please never stop telling her how beautiful she is, there is a clear obesity problem in America ,I am not saying she is but our country seams paranoid about it (I don't mean you) and if you are over a size 8 they call you fat, totally disagree with that, but I think there is a bigger problem with mean kids bulling others. Try to keep her active, teach her to eat healthy lots of veggies and fruits, portion control, keep a close eye on her because at this age bulimia and anorexia can come in to the picture. Most of all, make sure she burns calories by riding her bike, doing a sport, swimming etc.

Answer 9

Shes not really overweight at all. Im 13, and I weigh 110 lbs, but Im also quite tall, 5'6". It sounds to me that shes stereotyping herself. Every pre-teen or teen goes through it now days, I still am. All you need to do is sit down with her and tell her to stop crying at night. Tell her how you feel about the situation, and that if she wants to slim down a bit then to do some cardio workouts.(you can go to walmart and fin some tapes and DVDs for it) She will probably loose about a pund or two a week, but thats up to 10 lbs a month! It wont take long if she didicates herself to it. You could try to get her to eat a bit healthier as she does the cardio, too. And as her mom you need to encourage her, like you are.

Well I hope I helped even jus the slightest bit.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 10

Well, you could do alot of things but you need to focus on improving her diet and level of physichal activity. Diet- Cut back on how much she is eating in small steps. Also try to limit the amount of second helpings she may take. Maybe instead of unhealthy snacks like chips and cake, give her celery with peanut butter or an apple with carmel dip. Also monitor how much soda she is intaking. Instead, try water or a fruit juice (Make sure it is 100% juice) Physichal Activity- Try to go on a walk with her around the block a few times or go to the local nature path. Go outside together and do yardwork. It helps burn calories. Also, consider going to an aerobic class or going to Jazzersize. (Excuse my awful spelling) Make sure that you take part in this too. If she sees you are eating chips and junk food, she'll think its ok. Remember to set a good example for her to follow. Best of Luck Ringo