Parents of Young Kids - Do You Tell Them About MFP?

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  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited March 2015
    My son is 10. I do talk to him about healthy choices and portion size. For example, he wanted a doughnut in the morning on a day I knew we would be having dessert after dinner. I explained about how we need to choose our treats and only have them occasionally. (He chose not to have the doughnut and have the dessert later instead.) He loves pistachios, and I have him weigh out a serving on my food scale so he is aware of what a true portion looks like. I don't, however, say I am doing this because I am fat or want to lose weight. I talk about how I want to fuel my body and what I want to accomplish physically (run faster, or farther, etc.).
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    My boys are 9 and 7. I don't talk about calories in front of them, only to my husband. We talk about healthy eating and foods that energize and help them grow tall. Dessert is not a daily thing in our house and more of a treat because of it. Since I do the shopping, they eat what I buy for snacks...like apples or graham crackers or goldfish. They never ever hear me say I need to lose weight. When I work out, they state what I state...We do it to be healthy. I grew up in a house where my dad would weigh me and then berate me for being overweight, especially in my teen years. When I was in 8th grade I was given a goal of 110lbs...if I hit that I would get a new wardrobe. I got to 114 lbs by the assigned time. I got nothing. It sucked and I felt horrible. I won't put my kids through that. I want to lead by example and so far, it seems ok.
  • Oi_Sunshine
    Oi_Sunshine Posts: 819 Member
    I'm open about it because it concerns my health. I have about 30-35 to lose and they know it is difficult because of my thyroid. My boys are 6 and 4 and know that meat helps grow muscles and if they're getting full, I prefer they finish their vegetables instead of noodles, desserts or treats are small, they don't get juice at every meal. We eat sensibly and I answer their questions when they arise. I even explained my gall bladder problem and what my surgery would be like a couple years ago. They love hearing about how the body works and are not worried about theirs because we talk about how to take care of them, no negative comments about how I feel about my extra weight. It's all about how you present the topic.
  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    My boys are 9 and 7. I don't talk about calories in front of them, only to my husband. We talk about healthy eating and foods that energize and help them grow tall. Dessert is not a daily thing in our house and more of a treat because of it. Since I do the shopping, they eat what I buy for snacks...like apples or graham crackers or goldfish. They never ever hear me say I need to lose weight. When I work out, they state what I state...We do it to be healthy. I grew up in a house where my dad would weigh me and then berate me for being overweight, especially in my teen years. When I was in 8th grade I was given a goal of 110lbs...if I hit that I would get a new wardrobe. I got to 114 lbs by the assigned time. I got nothing. It sucked and I felt horrible. I won't put my kids through that. I want to lead by example and so far, it seems ok.

    I am so sorry for this. Well done for protecting your children (and their future girlfriends, wives and children) from that hurt.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My wife and I just try to be the best possible roll models we can be where nutrition and fitness and everything else is concerned.

    No...they don't know about MFP...they don't know about "dieting"...they know about eating well and getting out there and riding bikes and being active and whatnot. They see mommy and daddy eating well and exercising and we do a lot of recreational exercise as a family...i.e. hiking, biking, walking the dog, etc.

    My old gym used to have a "daddy and me" gym time too that was pretty cool, but me and my kiddos and a couple other guys were the only ones that ever showed up so they canceled the program...too bad...it was a good thing to do and introduced the kiddos to the gym.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I guess I'm an oddball. I've lost 72 pounds, so yes, my girls (7, 9) know about MFP and why I'm trying to become healthier. I don't see an issue with it and I'm certainly not ruining their childhood.

    I told them that I made bad choices, and became overweight and unhealthy. Now they know I'm making good choices and becoming healthy. They see me do my yoga and lift my weights and weigh my food. They know we have sometimes food and always food. They know that moderation is important, and so is staying active.

    They also know that at their ages, calorie counting and weighing your food aren't necessary and that we have to fuel growing bodies.

    I don't frame it as a weight thing, but a health thing - they know I had to be put on medications for my health and that losing so much weight allowed me to go off of some of my medications.

    Honestly, I'm teaching my kids the things I wish I had known growing up. I'm showing them real bodies and teaching them how to love their own. I'm teaching them the importance of taking care of their bodies with good food and dancing/archery/soccer.

    To me, teaching them these things is no different than teaching them about periods, sex, biology. They should understand how their bodies work. Because the more information they have, the more empowered they are.
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    My daughter is 10. I try to make a distinction between being on a 'diet' and eating healthily and keeping fit.

    Hopefully she sees me trying to get strong and healthy rather than getting thin. She does know that part of it is about how you look but the important part is how strong your body and mind is.

    She cant wait to come to the gym with me but she has to wait another 2 years until she is old enough.
  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    TheVirgoddess wrote: »
    I guess I'm an oddball. I've lost 72 pounds, so yes, my girls (7, 9) know about MFP and why I'm trying to become healthier. I don't see an issue with it and I'm certainly not ruining their childhood.

    I told them that I made bad choices, and became overweight and unhealthy. Now they know I'm making good choices and becoming healthy. They see me do my yoga and lift my weights and weigh my food. They know we have sometimes food and always food. They know that moderation is important, and so is staying active.

    They also know that at their ages, calorie counting and weighing your food aren't necessary and that we have to fuel growing bodies.

    I don't frame it as a weight thing, but a health thing - they know I had to be put on medications for my health and that losing so much weight allowed me to go off of some of my medications.

    Honestly, I'm teaching my kids the things I wish I had known growing up. I'm showing them real bodies and teaching them how to love their own. I'm teaching them the importance of taking care of their bodies with good food and dancing/archery/soccer.

    To me, teaching them these things is no different than teaching them about periods, sex, biology. They should understand how their bodies work. Because the more information they have, the more empowered they are.

    I see nothing wrong with this - makes perfect sense to me.
  • Katiebear_81
    Katiebear_81 Posts: 719 Member
    My girls are 7 & 5. I am only somewhat overweight, so I don't bring it up (I believe I fit into the realm of "average"). They don't realize that I'm a bit overweight, so I'm not going to bring it up. However, we do talk about making healthy choices (the difference between fueling our bodies and eating for pleasure - how the fuel has to happen first, etc.), and we talk a lot about being active... walking places when we can, playing out side, etc. I want them to have a very moderate approach to food and exercise. They are very fortunate that they both seem to take after their dad, who is very thin.
  • mscheftg
    mscheftg Posts: 485 Member
    I think it is a parent's responsibility to teach their child(ren) about healthy lifestyles.

    My niece, age 11, asked me one day if I was using MFP (my sister has used it on and off and my niece knows about it) and I told her that I have been. She asked why. I told her that I want to lose weight and be healthy.

    She has been dancing since she was 3, so she's active, but when she's not at dance, she can be very sedentary. I talk with her about healthy options and we talk about how strong she is - she weighs around 85 lbs and can lift herself up, along with learning how to do a handstand. She sometimes reads nutrition labels, which is OKAY. She needs to know what a serving size is considered. Unfortunately, people become obese because they don't pay attention to serving sizes. She doesn't count calories, but we talk about eating meals that are balanced.

    I bought her a dirt cup dessert from the store last night, but gave her the stipulation that she can only take it in her lunch if she has a healthy balance (fruit, veggie, protein).

    We also talk about what food will give her energy for dance (or a day at school).
  • megomerrett
    megomerrett Posts: 442 Member
    Francl27 my 8 yo isn't dieting. Or was that someone else? Of_Monsters_And_Meat it is hard when they're under 5 but our dog makes sure my 3 year old joins us on lots of walks and scooter riding! It's also about seeing his dad play rugby and his siblings have active hobbies - makes it all part of normal life.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    My daughter is 7. She sees me log in MFP. I've never really made a big deal out of it. She did ask why I write down what I eat and I told her that I have had trouble not eating healthy in the past so I do it to be sure I don't do that again. She actually didn't realize that I was losing weight until I had lost a lot. One day we were looking at pictures and I showed her one from an activity we had done right before I started losing weight. Her eyes got really big because it had *just* hit her that I look a lot different now.
  • laura3977
    laura3977 Posts: 191 Member
    I have a 2.5 year old daughter and I used to worry so much about her eating. Is she eating enough? Why did she only take a few bites? Does she not like it? and would stress about it. My husband, who had zero issues with food, kept saying "if she's hungry, she'll eat".

    Before starting MFP I realized that I was the one with the issue and decided that I needed to make a change on myself to make sure I didn't transfer any onto her. I have tried extremely hard to not talk about losing weight or my disapproval of my body around her. I get our plates ready before bringing them to the table so I can weigh and measure while she's not around, I prepare all my meals for the next day once she has gone to bed, etc. I know she is still quite young but like many have said, it's AMAZING a the stuff they pick up on.

    Also, when she starts playing with her food I ask her if she is done and she says "done!" and even if there is food still left on the plate, I take it away. Before that used to drive me insane BUT I don't want to interrupt the messages her little body is sending her by forcing her to "take one more bite"
  • HaleysHeartfeltJourney
    HaleysHeartfeltJourney Posts: 27 Member
    I have a 5, 3, and 9 month old. They don't notice the calorie counting because I keep it to myself and on MFP and I portion control which they haven't picked up on, but they love watching me on the treadmill and have asked why I exercise and I just tell them to be healthy, I don't mention that I need to lose 50lbs lol. But my older two are into exercising because the tv channel they watch has them get up every thirty minutes to do fun "exercises" for about a minute and they try to do push ups and sit ups for fun lol. Its not bad for kids to know about fitness but I would never let them diet and I don't talk about losing weight or dieting with, or near them. I just say Mommy's exercising to be healthy and that I like to exercise so I do it. Its sufficient enough for them.
  • LeneBrandt2014
    LeneBrandt2014 Posts: 1 Member
    My kids are 5 and 7 and they see me use MFP and sometimes weigh my foods. I tell them I do it to make sure I get all the things my body needs.

    I've explained to them that food is like Lego bricks (Huge Lego fans at our house) and foods contains different kinds of bricks and you need a little of each kind. So I use MFP to make sure I get all my "Lego bricks" so to speak. We also talk about this in relation to fruits and veg (which is not their favorites) how they contain some pretty darn cool Lego bricks to make our body strong.

    I grew up with a mum constantly dieting and disliking her appearence. It was always "Bad food" and "good food" and this or that fad diet. I want my children to have a healthy relationship with great foods to make their bodies strong with the occasional snack to have the right balance.
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