Bahama Mamas Bikini Challenge

[jeepifer]

Snix, I know you'll get great advice from all the ladies. My girls are young yet, so I haven't personally hit this issue, but I wanted to give you

[FatFatnomore]

Snix, this is so sad to read. Kids can be so cruel and at her age, weight issues are even harder to deal with.

My advice would be to NOT tell her about atkins and to not put her on the atkins "diet" because her self esteem is very fragile right now and putting her on a "diet" is going to make her think that YOU think she's fat. Even with the best of intentions, NOBODY likes to be told they should be on a diet.

I'm lucky that my daughter has my DH's metabolism so she's very thin and she can eat whatever she wants, however, I've always limited the types of foods she can eat. And I never say that it's because I don't want her to gain weight or anything like that. I always stress that certain foods are healthy for you and certain foods are not. So when I tell her she can't have something I say "don't eat that, it's not good for you. It will clog your arteries."

I think the best route for you to take right now to help your daughter is to change the eating habits of your entire family. I rarely serve carbs in my house even though I'm the only one doing atkins. I serve meat, fish, or chicken, with lots of veggies every night. Once in a while I'll make rice or pasta for my DD and DH, but for the most part we stick to meat and veggies. It's a habit that EVERYBODY should have, not just us fat people. lol It's healthy.

At least if you switch your whole family onto healthier meals, you won't have to worry about your DD feeling singled out, like she's the only one of the kids that needs to lose weight.

You may also have to limit the amount of times that you eat out until she gets used to eating the healthier foods. That way you don't have to tell her that she shouldn't be eating fries or chips or other fatty foods.

Also, I think it's great that you're taking her out for walks with you. That's key. Keep her active. My DD does a sport every season. There's never a time that she's not active. I think that helps a lot.

Now is the time to help her change her habits. Once she hits jr. high and high school, they'll torment her if she's overweight. I'm sorry to say it, but it's true. She's lucky to have a mom like you that recognizes what she's facing and wants to help her change it.

Originally Posted by Snickerdoolers

So here's my baby girl. She's 11. Attachment 12456 Attachment 12457
She's the middle child like me. And being the great mother i am, i have messed her up. I have passed on to her, thru genetics and unkowingly that humor can cover many feelings up. See, i'm sure she has seen me do it thousands of times and recently i've noticed her doing it. Or i have just caught on to it cuz i'm so brilliant. Anyways. It's easier to handle if i beat you to the punch. She had a meltdown shopping yesterday. Tears and you name it.
As you can see she is heavier set. She is now experiencing the cruelty of fellow classmates. She had birthday money to spend. She wanted some new clothes. Tshirts/shirts these days are either to short or to thin/skinny and she will now wear no tank tops and let me know that she will not be wearing any shorts this year either. Pant's/capri's fit her weird cuz she likes to tuck them under her belly, so she always looks like she has a "package" in the front.
How do i go about helping her help herself to lose wght and be more active w/o her knowing i'm doing it or by not hurting her feelings?! Especially when i'm still struggling to help my self? Yesterday w/the meltdown and then eating out (she orders a chix sandwich, fries and pop. Complains halfway thru the sandwich she's full. She keeps eating. Just like her mamma. Takes a few more bites and sits back trying to stretch out a bit i'm sure to make more fit in there. I recommended putting the rest of the fries and sandwich in a container and eat it at another time. She does. We go to another store, she complains of upset belly. We hop in the car and she eats the rest of the saved food. I say, if your belly hurts why are you eating? I see the hurt in her eyes. And its like duh, i know why. You've found food to be your comfort! Ughhh! Another bad mommy award to put in the trophy room!) I have to help someway.
She has started recently to mimick my eating habits at supper every once in awhile. She is trying my low carb foods but also eating some of the reg. stuff i make for the nonlc'ers. She and i both have just started the walks and encouraging each other to get out there and take the walks.
Do you think i should talk to her about what i'm doing ? That i'm not just eating cheesy cauliflower for supper? Explain Atkins so she understands? Is there a book out there that you know of that could help her/me out with her young age and what she is doing? I know what it is like to take a second helping of something and have someone comment on it and then be embarassed. I know she already thinks its not fair that her sis is toothpick and can eat anything she wants. I don't want her to be 35 one day miserable and disgusted w/herself for being overweight and having to struggle like her mom. I want to help her now. Any ideas? Any good reads that could help out?
Thanx girls!

[RiotGirl08]

Snix, I you dearly. And you know sometimes I come off too bluntly.... why in the world are you taking her out for fast food? Girl, you know better than that!
I don't think at her age, she'll get the whole Atkins/ dieting thing. Honestly I don't think she should. Eleven year olds shouldn't be worried about stuff like that. If it were me, I'd kinda take matters a little more into my own hands. No more fast food stops. Period. Keep taking her on the walks. Get a family membership at the Y (providing you haven't been banned ) and have a weekly family swiming night or something. Encourage her (but not force her) to find a sport she really likes and join. She doesn't have to eat LC per se, but there's nothing wrong with lots of fruit and veggies over french fries.
I am a middle child too, so that in and of itself is hard for her. No matter what anyone says, middle child syndrome really exists. Just keep being her mom and never stop letting her know how beautiful she is and how much she is loved.

[RiotGirl08]

I am hesitant to add this, but.... since she is so young.... always make sure you pay very close attention to her from now on. Eating disorders are something you want to be especially aware of.

[Snickerdoolers]

Originally Posted by RiotGirl08

Snix, I you dearly. And you know sometimes I come off too bluntly.... why in the world are you taking her out for fast food? Girl, you know better than that!
I don't think at her age, she'll get the whole Atkins/ dieting thing. Honestly I don't think she should. Eleven year olds shouldn't be worried about stuff like that. If it were me, I'd kinda take matters a little more into my own hands. No more fast food stops. Period. Keep taking her on the walks. Get a family membership at the Y (providing you haven't been banned ) and have a weekly family swiming night or something. Encourage her (but not force her) to find a sport she really likes and join. She doesn't have to eat LC per se, but there's nothing wrong with lots of fruit and veggies over french fries.
I am a middle child too, so that in and of itself is hard for her. No matter what anyone says, middle child syndrome really exists. Just keep being her mom and never stop letting her know how beautiful she is and how much she is loved.

I just wanna say, it was the baconater! i wanted the baconater no bun and a side salad. That is what i ate. She did look at my meal and say that she felt bad cuz i was eating good stuff. We only eat out at fast food places once every two months about. We do not go out very often at all.

[RiotGirl08]

mmmmmm baconator..... yep, that'll do ya in everytime!!!!!

[alove4candles]

When I have cravings for a baconater no bun (yum) I always go thru the Drive thru and order for my kiddos. I always get them apple dippers (no dip) or salads. Then we go eat at the park or home. I few of the kids have asked why I don't get fries and I tell them apples are good for them.

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by FatFatnomore

I think the best route for you to take right now to help your daughter is to change the eating habits of your entire family. I rarely serve carbs in my house even though I'm the only one doing atkins. I serve meat, fish, or chicken, with lots of veggies every night. Once in a while I'll make rice or pasta for my DD and DH, but for the most part we stick to meat and veggies. It's a habit that EVERYBODY should have, not just us fat people. lol It's healthy.

At least if you switch your whole family onto healthier meals, you won't have to worry about your DD feeling singled out, like she's the only one of the kids that needs to lose weight.

Great advice, FF. This is what I'm trying to do with my family. The kids eat what I eat (meat, veggies, salads) and maybe a couple of times a week I'll add in something like corn, rice (whole brown only), or noodles for them. They do get goldfish as snacks, but I also try to give them cheese sticks too.

Snix, another thing to try is to make just enough for everyone to have ONE helping of XXX. That way there *isn't* any way to add another helping! My DH has horrible portion control -- he'll eat an entire POT of pasta if he has his choice.

I know personally I have a horrible time recognizing when I am full. Or more to the point, satisfied, not stuffed. I tend to keep eating to finish the plate, or pick at the food if the plate is still in front of me. I don't know how to teach this to a growing girl, since I'm still learning myself.

[FatFatnomore]

Riot makes a very good point. FRUIT! The perfect food for kids. It's sweet, it's tangy, it's crunchy, it's juicy. There are so many varieties of fruits for your DD to choose from. Fruit has always been the snack of choice for my DD because that's what I always have in the house for her. (and yogurt)

Now when we're at the grocery store, instead of hitting the cookie aisle to find a snack, she usually grabs a bag of grapes or a carton of strawberries.

Originally Posted by RiotGirl08

Snix, I you dearly. And you know sometimes I come off too bluntly.... why in the world are you taking her out for fast food? Girl, you know better than that!
I don't think at her age, she'll get the whole Atkins/ dieting thing. Honestly I don't think she should. Eleven year olds shouldn't be worried about stuff like that. If it were me, I'd kinda take matters a little more into my own hands. No more fast food stops. Period. Keep taking her on the walks. Get a family membership at the Y (providing you haven't been banned ) and have a weekly family swiming night or something. Encourage her (but not force her) to find a sport she really likes and join. She doesn't have to eat LC per se, but there's nothing wrong with lots of fruit and veggies over french fries.
I am a middle child too, so that in and of itself is hard for her. No matter what anyone says, middle child syndrome really exists. Just keep being her mom and never stop letting her know how beautiful she is and how much she is loved.

[RiotGirl08]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

I know personally I have a horrible time recognizing when I am full. Or more to the point, satisfied, not stuffed.

me too. I blame it on the years spent stuffing myself to the max & puking. But that's why I measure all my food now. I figure out in Fitday how much I get of what, then I get out the stoopid little food scale and painstakingly measure every little crumb. My DH laughs at me, but I know it's what I *have* to do.

[drivemenervous]

Oh my gosh, you guys all look fantastic! I have a pic to add to it, do I just post it here, 'cause I don't think I can PM it to Riot.

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by drivemenervous

Oh my gosh, you guys all look fantastic! I have a pic to add to it, do I just post it here, 'cause I don't think I can PM it to Riot.

You must not have seen MY pics.

[RiotGirl08]

either post it here or y'all can email me. Either way, homies!

[drivemenervous]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

You must not have seen MY pics.

Jeeps, you look great! I can't wait to see your after pics!

[drivemenervous]

Ok ladies, prepare your barf bags! LOL Here ya go:

[onederlandbound]

Originally Posted by Snickerdoolers

So here's my baby girl. She's 11. Attachment 12456 Attachment 12457
She's the middle child like me. And being the great mother i am, i have messed her up. I have passed on to her, thru genetics and unkowingly that humor can cover many feelings up. See, i'm sure she has seen me do it thousands of times and recently i've noticed her doing it. Or i have just caught on to it cuz i'm so brilliant. Anyways. It's easier to handle if i beat you to the punch. She had a meltdown shopping yesterday. Tears and you name it.
As you can see she is heavier set. She is now experiencing the cruelty of fellow classmates. She had birthday money to spend. She wanted some new clothes. Tshirts/shirts these days are either to short or to thin/skinny and she will now wear no tank tops and let me know that she will not be wearing any shorts this year either. Pant's/capri's fit her weird cuz she likes to tuck them under her belly, so she always looks like she has a "package" in the front.
How do i go about helping her help herself to lose wght and be more active w/o her knowing i'm doing it or by not hurting her feelings?! Especially when i'm still struggling to help my self? Yesterday w/the meltdown and then eating out (she orders a chix sandwich, fries and pop. Complains halfway thru the sandwich she's full. She keeps eating. Just like her mamma. Takes a few more bites and sits back trying to stretch out a bit i'm sure to make more fit in there. I recommended putting the rest of the fries and sandwich in a container and eat it at another time. She does. We go to another store, she complains of upset belly. We hop in the car and she eats the rest of the saved food. I say, if your belly hurts why are you eating? I see the hurt in her eyes. And its like duh, i know why. You've found food to be your comfort! Ughhh! Another bad mommy award to put in the trophy room!) I have to help someway.
She has started recently to mimick my eating habits at supper every once in awhile. She is trying my low carb foods but also eating some of the reg. stuff i make for the nonlc'ers. She and i both have just started the walks and encouraging each other to get out there and take the walks.
Do you think i should talk to her about what i'm doing ? That i'm not just eating cheesy cauliflower for supper? Explain Atkins so she understands? Is there a book out there that you know of that could help her/me out with her young age and what she is doing? I know what it is like to take a second helping of something and have someone comment on it and then be embarassed. I know she already thinks its not fair that her sis is toothpick and can eat anything she wants. I don't want her to be 35 one day miserable and disgusted w/herself for being overweight and having to struggle like her mom. I want to help her now. Any ideas? Any good reads that could help out?
Thanx girls!

Snix - I know how hard this is. I went through it with my son. He was really heavy from pre-teen into teenage years. He wanted to try low carb because we knew someone who lost alot of weight doing it. He started -- then got frustrated and stopped -- then started again. Finally I did it with him and took him out to eat to show him what he could eat when he was out, etc. He ended up losing a tremendous amount of weight (he was 285 at his highest and he is now 175 (5' 11"). He's about to turn 21. He lost his weight when he was about 17. It was so funny at his graduation because they flashed a picture of each graduate on the screen as they walked up to the stage. They flashed his fat picture and then he walked up on stage and everybody went crazy. He still laughs about it. His friends all thought it was so funny. Their families thought they made a mistake. Sorry to run on. I think the best thing to do is talk to her about it. Tell her how you understand what she's going through and explain, explain, explain about low carb so she understands it. And she has to be ready to make changes herself. But having someone to do it with really helps. I don't know if this helped but I hope it works out well. BTW -- she's really beautiful.

[RiotGirl08]

photobucket updated.... am I quick or what?

[drivemenervous]

Originally Posted by RiotGirl08

photobucket updated.... am I quick or what?

Riot is always on top of it! Thanks!

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by drivemenervous

Jeeps, you look great! I can't wait to see your after pics!

Thanks. I can't wait either!

[onederlandbound]

Originally Posted by drivemenervous

Ok ladies, prepare your barf bags! LOL Here ya go:

Driveme!!! You look amazing!!!

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by onederlandbound

Driveme!!! You look amazing!!!

I agree!

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by RiotGirl08

photobucket updated.... am I quick or what?

Or what?