Mom in need of some guidance

jamiesillimandunn
jamiesillimandunn Posts: 270 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi there !! I'm posting this thread in hopes someone out there has been in my situation and dealt with it in a better way than I seem to be able to :) so here is what up , I have three beautiful little girl ages 4,3,2 , I've been overweight their entire life , they know me as chubby cuddly momma !! Mom never exercised or counted her food and NEVER used to smack a hand when they tried to grab a peice of counted popcorn ( lol) but now here is mom, excersice losing weight etc. ! No problem there BUT how do discuss this subject with a four yr old . Who is so honest to me ( she tells me I'm fluffy ) in a healthy way ....I'm scared to say something wrong to her and set of something psychologically that will effect her down the road in a bad way , I'm also concerned because she has called herself fat and said she wants to excercise with me ...which is great but I don't want her to thnk you have to be fat like mommy to workout , and she is not fat by any means ....she's made comments she wanted to be fat like mommy when she grows up , WHICH WAS THE MOTIVATOR I NEEDED !! So here I am stumbling words every time she comes to me with questions on the fat and excercise subject ...for now all I can say is mommy wants to be healthy and keep up with you :( that's all I got lol...I fought obesity my interest childhood , so this is extremely sensitive to me , parents always want better for their children and that is one of my goals being here on MFP , to show them a fun active healthy mom, not miserable chunky tired mom ....thanks for reading :)

Replies

  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    At this age, the best thing to do is to lead by example. Teach her about healthy food choices. Keep finding fun family activities that will keep them busy. And stop using the word 'fat' around her. Do not let her hear you call yourself fat ever again. And if she refers to herself as fat, try to replace that word with healthy.

    And honestly, if she grows up body concious anyway, don't blame yourself, because she will still be exposed to these concepts by society. Just do the best that you can to keep a positive outlook on health and fitness and she will learn all her best habits from you.
  • jamiesillimandunn
    jamiesillimandunn Posts: 270 Member
    Thanks for the advice :) ....I will be sure to not use that word EVER and I made it clear ( I think) to her to not use the word more or less because she doesn't understand it. I will be sure to refer to it as healthy as stated :)
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Thanks for the advice :) ....I will be sure to not use that word EVER and I made it clear ( I think) to her to not use the word more or less because she doesn't understand it. I will be sure to refer to it as healthy as stated :)

    Well I wouldn't turn it into a bad word either. Just when she uses it, try to encourage her to say something positive instead.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Telling your children that you weigh too much, or even that you are too fat, and are working to lose weight because it's unhealthy is not going to scar them. Even telling them you want to lose weigh to look better won't scar them. Don't put yourself down, just state the facts. Mommy has too much fat on her body and that's not healthy.

    And teaching your children that everyone should exercise regularly, regardless of their age or whether they need to lose weight is responsible parentlng.

    I always just talked to my children pretty much the same way I did everyone else, but at their level of understanding. If my pants got tight I said I was getting fat and I needed to stop eating so much junk.

    They are both grown women now, one with children of her own. Neither is fat or has an eating disorder. They eat healthy balanced diets and don't fear food or exercise.
  • athenasurrenders
    athenasurrenders Posts: 278 Member
    My daughter isn't old enough to question yet but I'm planning to go with 'I exercise to keep my body strong and healthy so we can have lots of fun playing together' and 'I'm eating X because it's full of goodness and fuel for my body'.
  • jamiesillimandunn
    jamiesillimandunn Posts: 270 Member
    My daughter isn't old enough to question yet but I'm planning to go with 'I exercise to keep my body strong and healthy so we can have lots of fun playing together' and 'I'm eating X because it's full of goodness and fuel for my body'.






    This sounds perfect :) I think it is age appropriate and understandable :) thanks for all your replies !! I always worry about my parenting haha...I'm not perfect but I try damn hard to do right by them :)

Categories