Excerise and the daughter...

SandyLee1961
SandyLee1961 Posts: 133 Member
edited September 26 in Motivation and Support
In one of the posts I made I explained how my daughter was having difficulty with my losing weight. Well, since then, I again had a very long chat with her. We discussed in detail why I am trying to become more fit. We also discussed motivation and how it's a huge help when you are on this fitness journey.

That night, she weighed herself. We discussed BMI and healthy food choices and WHY you should eat healthy. We also discussed exercise and why it helps. I even went here and showed her how your calories add up. For once, I THINK she listened!

Now, the other night I asked her if she would like to join me in exercise on my "off" days. I'm using EA Sports Fit and with it you have 3 "off" days from the intense workouts. On those off days I've been doing the low impact aerobics. She almost blew me away when she said yes!!! So, we worked out the first time the other night. She was amazed that I could do the workout. She had some difficulty with a number of the moves and I explained to her that was because her body wasn't used to the exercises. Yet, if she kept it up she would be fine and find that they got easier each time she did them.

School holidays are now starting. The last day of school is today for the next two weeks. She asked me this morning if today was one of my off days. When I said no, she asked, can I still join you!!! And, she wants to join me EACH day over the school holidays other than the days she'll be gone on an ATC trip.

I am over the moon happy!!!! Though her eating habits are still bad (I found an entire packet of lollies gone, she admitted she bought them and ate them in one sitting) - at least now she is motivated to do some exercise!!!!

So - keep us in your thoughts guys - I'm hoping the next two weeks will show Kayla how exercise really DOES help!

Replies

  • veggeslady
    veggeslady Posts: 64
    I exercise with my mom and love it!! I bonds us!! ha e fun!!
  • TiniTurtle
    TiniTurtle Posts: 595 Member
    that is AWESOME! i'm so glad you're making an impact! :o) even if she doesn't change her eating habits when you're not around, you cooking for the family with healthier, more nutritious foods will make a difference in the long run for her.
  • astovey
    astovey Posts: 578 Member
    How old is your daughter? I can see how this is a very wonderful conversation and how it could go very wrong.

    I love my mother very much, but when I was growing up, I always felt like she was ashamed of me, and the way I looked. Like she wasn't proud of me. When I lost weight, it seemed like both of my parents liked me more and wanted to kind of "show me off." Just make sure your daughter knows how much you love her the way she is.

    On the other hand, I kind of blame my family on missing out on so much. I lost a lot of friends when I was growing up becasue I was the "big gril" and wasn't as pretty as many of my friends...it also made me VERY shy. If only my mother (or anyone) had talked to me about how to be healthy, I wouldn't have had to go through the hardest time of my life...with all the bullying and name calling. I truly didn't know any better. I just ate the food that was put in front of me. If only someone had educated me earlier....
  • SandyLee1961
    SandyLee1961 Posts: 133 Member
    My daughter is 15. And the conversation I believe went very, very well. I am very proud of Kayla and she is quite well aware of that. I would love her and treasure her no matter what she weighed. She is a fantastic girl and she knows it. In my last post I had written that I WAS worried because she was having some difficulties with my losing weight. I didn't want to send her the message that I thought she was fat or ugly. But, due to MY health I need to become more fit. Though it was not said (complete opposite to be truthful) - she was concerned that my weight loss would make me start looking at her in an unfriendly way! Well, I made sure she realized that was NOT the case. Now though, she is seeing her mum with a lot more energy, a lot happier and not only losing the weight, but being able to do things I haven't for years! The other night when we chatted, I made sure (said it a number of times) that each person is different. Through body shape, height, bust size - we are all different which means we all are at different levels of fitness. I also made sure she knows that exercising, watching your weight, eating healthy are PERSONAL choices. Choices that cannot be forced upon you by anyone (including mum) - and she should never feel forced. So yes, I was very sensitive when speaking with her. The last thing I want to do is hurt my daughter. She knows without a doubt I love her, but like all teens she needed a bit of reassurance :)
  • smylex
    smylex Posts: 14
    Getting your daughter started with exercise and dieting is a good thing. It helps establish good habits for the future, and it also helps give her a challenge to try to accomplish. Something else that you can instill in her is that just because she reaches a plateau in her weight or her exercise is no reason to give up - we all lose weight differently, but we can continue and try harder, even when we're not achieving the results we want at the time.
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