Are your kids overweight? How can you help them to lose weight w/o them knowing especially w/ a large homework load?

My daughter is overweight. She is 9 1/2 years old, 56 inches tall and 111 pounds. Her homework load is so large. I have recently taken her out of guitar lessons at school and gifted classes so that she can remain in class and get as much homework done as possible. Also she is NOT as stressed because of all of assignments that have to be turned in because she is there for the explanation from her teacher instead of some 4th grader.

However I dont want her to think that I feel like she is fat. I just explain that we all can be healthier. One of doctors told me once that she will always be a little bigger than the other kids her age but she will not be overweight because she is also taller than most kids her age. Her height and weight can stay in balance with just a little play time everyday. But with so much homework....

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Asked by 35yoamom at 9:18 AM on Jan. 30, 2012 in Tweens (9-12)

9979 Level 20

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Out of my 5 kids I have 3 who struggled more with weight then the other 2. The other 2 can sit around all day and eat whatever they want and not weigh more then 120 lbs lol. My dd is almost 7 and already 4ft 3 inches tall. She is as tall as some 3rd graders. She is also considered overweight. She is active in after school sports and cheer, and I think she has a little chubby on her, but I dont consider her fat, neither does my pediatricians boss (he saw her after the pediatrician said she was overweight). My 11 yr old is also overweight due to his dad feeding him fast food and being sedentary at his dads so much. My best advice is to have your dd take a gymnastics class, dance class or something that gives her a good work out. It also will help her in the future if she is in fact bigger boned as your post implies.

Answer by gemgem at 9:23 AM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 147884 Level 42 Tweens (9-12) Minor

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Oh and to balance the homework, if you cant manage a class or two a week you can always get a dvd work out, or in our case dd does 3 nights a week with cheer/dance (they do both in the program she is in), and she also does Just Dance 1 hr a day at home.

Answer by gemgem at 9:26 AM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 147884 Level 42 Tweens (9-12) Minor

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I suggest making overall changes - ones that apply to everyone. Tell her that your New Year resolution is having everyone be more healthy. Buy more healthy snacks (apples as opposed to cookies, veggies instead of chips, etc...). Also try to make more healthy dinners, and if you don't already do this, have dinner as a family (no tv, etc) - they do say that can effect overeating and etc.

Do little things like walk to places (as a family) that you would normally drive to, or park in the back of the parking lot / take the stairs, especially when she's with you. You don't have to make a big deal out of it, but it adds up...

If you have a wii, get a wii fit, and do family game nights, playing it together. It's pretty fun for kids and adults, and can give you a good workout (with great "adult things" like tracking weight, goals, etc...).

make it about you all eating and living healthy, and not her losing weight, kwim

gl!

Answer by sailorwifenmom at 9:27 AM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 18475 Level 24 Tweens (9-12) 101

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You can change little things and keep her weight the same until she gets a little taller.

Taking a half- hour break and hula hooping and having her sit on a yoga ball instead of a chair are little things that are fun. Changing snack habits is easy too. Have a yogurt or carrots or fruit instead of chips

Have the whole family participate so she doesn't feel singled out. My dd gets a laugh out of mom doing stuff with her.

My dd is 14. She really likes doing stuff with me like sitting on our yoga balls instead of chairs. We joined a gym so we are going to have some friendly competition on the treadmills. I want us to be in good shape to go camping and row a kayak together when the weather gets nice.

Answer by mrsgino at 9:31 AM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 9574 Level 20

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AWESOME IDEAS!!!! Thanks! seriously...

Comment by 35yoamom (original poster) at 10:11 AM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 9979 Level 20
I have heard that with kids, the goal isn't to get them to actually lose weight but to just maintain until their height catches up. I agree with doing active things as a family. None of my kids struggle with weight, but my husband does so we got everyone bicycles and we take a bike ride together before/after supper (depending on his work schedule) every night when it's not raining.
We also got a Wii and the Wii Fit Plus is fun, but even some of the sports games are more active and we have a good time playing all together.
Upward Basketball is a Christian based basketball league, but I like it because it's less competitive and all kids get equal playing time, so you can be sure your child isn't sitting on the bench. They also have cheerleading squads if she's more interested in that. You can google if there is one in your area.

Answer by missanc at 12:01 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
Credits: 100793 Level 38 Tweens (9-12) Minor

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your daughter sounds just like my son; my son is 4 feet 5 inches and weighs 115 pounds the doctors say that he is overweight also and that he needs to go on a diet; I don't believe in putting children on diets but we have changed our way of eating(we don't buy junk foods--potato chips; cookies or anything like that) I do bake but my bake goods are made with healthier ingredients; we walk to school unless it is bitterly cold or there is a ton of snow on the ground(which has helped us both lose); he is now playing basketball with the school team and loves it I would say just get more involved with what she does and just buy healthier foods; it does make a difference if they don't have chips; pop or any of that sort of thing. We keep carrots; celery and things like that and don't buy processed meats or foods. I am diabetic so we follow that diet(I spoke with the doctor first and got the OK)

Answer by Christmaslver68 at 2:11 PM on Jan. 31, 2012
Credits: 210414 Level 45 Tweens (9-12) Minor

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Why did you take her out of gifted classes? Aren't you concerned that she will become bored?

I suggest a household overhaul Start with simple changes, one per week.
make water the house's sole (or at least primary) beverage
stop buying highly processed foods (foods with enriched anything, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors/flavors, etc.)
Take a family walk every evening; go for family bike rides in the evening
unplug the TV and game boxes for a couple of weeks
build meals around vegetables, whole grains and fruits
cut way back on meat and dairy

Let me know if you need meal ideas/recipes

Answer by rkoloms at 7:15 PM on Jan. 31, 2012
Credits: 72082 Level 35 Tweens (9-12) 101

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Well prevent them from eating junk foods, prefer healthy flavored biscuits or juices. The favorite flavor they want. Advice the and let them know the cause of junk foods to our body in that way it could be a help to lose weight without noticing how much weight they will lose.

Answer by amethyz at 4:48 AM on Feb. 1, 2012
Credits: 9 Level 2

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