Worried about setting a bad example

hollyborkert
hollyborkert Posts: 1 Member
in Getting Started
I started with MFP a few weeks ago. I don't have a lot of weight to lose, mostly "vanity pounds." I'm concerned about the example I'm setting for my children. My 2 year old told me this morning that she wants to count her calories so she doesn't get too fat. I tried explaining that I am eating healthy foods so that I can be a healthy Mommy and have enough energy to play with them, but I still worry that seeing me constantly logging my food will have a long term negative impact.
How do other people deal with this?

Replies

  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    Just keep explaining to her that you are doing it to be healthy. I don't think that letting your child see you keeping track of your weight and overall health could be setting a negative example, seems to me like you would be setting a positive example for her. Everyone needs to think about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, and it is good for her to learn those habits young. Just make sure you are doing it in a good way, and keep from making comments that might be seen as poor body image.
  • peachstategal
    peachstategal Posts: 398 Member
    Does she really understand what you are doing? I think she may just want to imitate. Why not change your wording from calorie counting to just keeping track of the healthy foods you are eating because I dounbt she understands what a "calorie" is. That way, you will be teaching her about healthy choices.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    Does she really understand what you are doing? I think she may just want to imitate. Why not change your wording from calorie counting to just keeping track of the healthy foods you are eating because I dounbt she understands what a "calorie" is. That way, you will be teaching her about healthy choices.

    Yeaaaah. I'm with peachstategal. A 2 year old wants to imitate, and probably doesn't know what a calorie is.
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    I don't really see how a parent logging their calories is different from them drinking alcohol in front of them. I mean, kids see parents do child-inappropriate things all the time, just explain it well, and emphasize that grown ups do things differently.
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    being aware of what and how to eat is good even from a young age. thinking that body image is the goal rather than health would be bad.

    obviously.
  • chrissyreneet
    chrissyreneet Posts: 52 Member
    Does she really understand what you are doing? I think she may just want to imitate. Why not change your wording from calorie counting to just keeping track of the healthy foods you are eating because I dounbt she understands what a "calorie" is. That way, you will be teaching her about healthy choices.

    I agree. Instead of talking about counting calories I talk about making healthy food choices so I can be healthy. Also, I don't eat any differently than them. I don't make myself a special meal. The only time we don't eat the same things is if I make a veggie they don't like.

    ETA: Just wanted to add, I'm very careful not to critique my body in front of them. No putting my body down in front of them.
  • Cyclingbonnie
    Cyclingbonnie Posts: 413 Member
    I agree with the others. The fact that your two year old said she wanted to count calories so she doesn't get fat, says she has heard that. Emphasize eating healthy, feed her healthy, and you eat healthy too. Stay away from the body image statements.

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