Sharing the wealth…so to speak

Two of my kids have birthdays within a week of each other. June/July is a busy time, with summer vacation, their birthdays and annual well checks. Yesterday was their appointment for their annual physicals. I have recently become very concerned with my 11 year old daughter's weight, and asked her Dr. to discretely and delicately approach the subject. Though I have timidly suggested exercise and healthier eating to my daughter, I haven't attacked the issue, as the last thing I want to do is make my daughter feel self conscious. As her Dr. explained BMI, calories and metabolism to my daughter, I listened too. Her Dr. said that although my daughter was still in the "normal" BMI, she was very close to reaching the "overweight" category. She suggested several things that my daughter could do to help her body increase its metabolism and eat less without feeling deprived.

1. Eat slowly. Take a bite, put your fork down, and chew slowly. We like to eat, so we might as well enjoy it.
   
2. Take a drink of water between each bite
   
3. Serve yourself on a small plate. That way you can take less food without feeling like your plate is empty.
   
4. Wait at least 5 minutes before asking for 2nds. If you're still hungry after 5 minutes, take more meat or vegetables only.
   
5. Don't eat in front of the T.V. It's much easier to over eat when you're distracted. Sit down with your family and have a conversation.
   
6. Cut soda out of your diet completely, and limit juice to 1 serving a day.
   
7. Eat 5 small meals a day rather than 3 large, and NEVER skip a meal.
   
8. When you feel the need to snack, have healthy choices always on hand. Small box of raisins, gogurt (frozen), baby carrots, or frozen grapes are perfect "cool you down" and satisfying snacks.
   

While I listened to the Dr. recite the very same tactics I myself try to live by, it occurred to me that, while I practice these tips, I have failed my family by not passing them on. In a perfect world, one would "think" that by watching me make healthy choices every day, my kids would follow suit, however, a perfect world this is not and therefore this is not the case. My kids don't ask why I sometimes prepare a separate meal, or take a long time to eat less, or use a different plate…and I don't volunteer an explanation. It has become, in our house, just the way things are.

I realized that I have been extremely selfish, and although I try to live by example, I have failed my kids by not openly and audibly sharing my wealth of knowledge. I mean, am I their Mom, or what?? Don't I make the choices for them, especially when it comes to their diets? So, why then, do I think that I should be the only one conscious of their health and healthy choices? I would never wish a weight problem on anyone, especially my children. However, by NOT trying to give them a weight complex (thereby allowing them to have the things they WANT but don't NEED… ie.Chips, desserts, prepackaged snacks), I am dooming them to the same fate that I now struggle to overcome…obesity.

Teaching my kids about how to make healthy decisions, what the word "metabolism" means, why so many foods available are so bad for us…those lessons, when lived by as well as taught, will not create weight complexes…they will negate them.

Yesterday, my kids went in for their annual physicals, and even thought they both checked out 100% healthy, I left with a sick feeling that I hadn't been doing my job. Starting today, I have decided to take a healthy dose of the antidote for my ailment?? What's the antidote, you may ask? Sharing the wealth that I have accumulated these past few years with everyone I can…starting with my kids.

Have a super day and share the wealth!

Fit-NOW-Girl