Say what?????

sunyg
sunyg Posts: 229
edited September 28 in Chit-Chat
Most of my life I've been skinny. At times I've had to work super hard to get there. Like after having each of my kids. I don't know why but even eating healthy I still tend to gain a lot of weight. Well now I'm once again trying to lose my baby weight. I have 2 beautiful daughters that I am trying to show that eating right and being fit is the way to go. My youngest is very petite. My oldest has more of a medium frame so I've drummed into their heads that everyone is different and there is no wrong body type as long as your healthy. Everyone has a different size frame.

Well my oldest started marching band this summer. It is a lot of work and requires a lot of strength. Her band teacher has them doing push ups, planks and so forth. She wants to be stronger and more fit to make doing marching band easier. They have to hold their instruments up for a very long time. So she has started working out with me. She will do my Bob Harper Inside Out dvds or the Jillian Micheal's using no weights. Or run with me. She has lost no weight but has become stronger and more fit. She isn't dieting or watching her calories.

I share custody with the girls Dad. I get them every other week. So she took one of my super easy dvds and has started walking when she isn't with me. Her Dad told her yesterday to make sure that I didn't make her become Anorexic like I had been.

WHAT???????????? I'm 5ft 2, even I can take my hand and wrap my pinky and thumb around my wrist.I lost weight from both girls just by running, weight lifting and eating healthy. You couldn't see my bones. Why would you say something like that to a 13 year old?

Am I doing something wrong in letting her work out with me? Like I said she's lost no weight but she's so proud of herself because her clothes fit her better and she feels confident and strong. We don't eat out a lot here. Most of the dinners I make are healthy. We occasionally treat ourselves to a pizza or I will make cheeseburgers here but I couldn't tell you the last time I had McDonald's. They eat out constantly when with their Dad. Their step mom doesn't like to cook at all and definitely doesn't care about what goes into her kids. So they eat a lot of junk. The girls don't. They just haven't been raised that way. I'm not a fanatic about it they do get Pop Tarts sometimes or other little goodies. But they see it as a treat something you have sometimes but not every day. I'm proud that they will eat fruit as a snack instead of chips or drink chocolate milk instead of soda.

So am I hurting them by all of this? Should I stop letting her work out with me or all of us not go on 4 mile walks? I want them to be healthy not give them a complex.

Replies

  • Ashalahn_LMT
    Ashalahn_LMT Posts: 342 Member
    I preface these statements with the fact I don't have children of my own (multiple nieces and nephews). I don't see anything wrong with letting her workout with you and teaching her healthy eating habits. Personally I think more parents should encourage both behaviors in their children. I know my parents' workout routine for me consisted of get outside for the rest of the evening, or work in the garden, split wood, mow the lawn, etc. Dinner came from said garden, most nights. We lived and ate healthy, without really knowing it.
    Though there is a fine line between encouragement and demanding. It doesn't sound as though you've crossed that line.
  • C4Unit
    C4Unit Posts: 1
    Ignore the ramblings of the divorced male (I know I am one), as long as you are eating well and living a healthy lifestyle ignore it and have fun with your daughter. Cease worry !

    G'day
  • Kayamooh
    Kayamooh Posts: 45 Member
    I don't see anything wrong with raising your children to enjoy exercise. And like you said, the emphasis is one being healthy, not being skinny, and that makes all the difference.
  • rcm724
    rcm724 Posts: 7
    Ignore the ramblings of the divorced male (I know I am one), as long as you are eating well and living a healthy lifestyle ignore it and have fun with your daughter. Cease worry !

    G'day

    ditto!
  • ejhayes
    ejhayes Posts: 44 Member
    We get bombarded by the crappy foods advertised on television, the fast food places just plain suck and children and adults in this country are very unhealthy, statistically speaking. I think is fine that they learn at a young age to eat right and exercise. Keep it up, because it will pay dividends in the future when they become adults.
  • vsyates
    vsyates Posts: 373 Member
    I agree with the other posters. As long as your daughter keeps a healthy relationship with food and exercising, you have nothing to worry about. She's fine (and so are you) :wink:
  • jreese5226
    jreese5226 Posts: 328 Member
    Your ex-husband is an idiot!!! My 5-year old and 3-year old do Insanity workout DVDs with me and it is awesome!! I was beginning to be concerned when my 5-year old began asking me how many calories were in every food that he ate. I felt that I didn't want him to be that aware of calories but decided that it wasn't a bad thing to know. So we had a little science lesson about what a calorie really is and how our bodies use them to help us do everything that we do. And the difference between calories that make our bodies feel good and those that don't. I just tried to stress to him that he doesn't have to worry about the amount of calories because he's still growing, and Mommy and Daddy are not. Calories that we eat will make us grow out... not up. I commend you for being a good role-model to your daughter. It is never too early to begin teaching our kids the value of good nutrition and good excercise. Unfortunately, that's not something they are going to learn in school anymore. And tell your ex to watch just a single episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (the episode yesterday was particularly good). Like I said... he's an idiot. Keep doing what you're doing. At least your girls will have you has a good role model!!
  • RunningAddict
    RunningAddict Posts: 548 Member
    I also do not have children of my mine own but I have a niece and nephew. I love to run and at times my nephew will beg me to go gogging (as he calls jogging). It's so cute, anyway to the point.... I really wish that my parents would have made me be more active when I was younger. I think had I been it wouldn't be such a struggle now. Running,exercise, and being healthy is something we have to adapt to and the transition is never easy. Learning these stratagies as a young adult can be greatly beneficial in latter years. How can you be doing wrong by protecting your childs health and well being?
  • hypergrl
    hypergrl Posts: 188 Member
    I wish that my mom had worked out with me when I was younger... so I think it's a good thing. You aren't forcing her to do it and it's about becoming strong and having endurance to do something she loves; band. I agree don't listen to the ex. :D
  • chrissym78
    chrissym78 Posts: 628 Member
    nope, keep on keepin' on!! My kids are becoming very conscious of their eating and exercise habits. As long as they have a healthy attitude about it, I think it's GREAT!!
  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    It sounds like her dad is more capable of giving her a complex than you are.

    You sound like you're doing fine - I would have appreciated it if my mum had brought me up to enjoy and savour exercise.
  • Sissy4EverX3
    Sissy4EverX3 Posts: 247
    Like LifeBloom, I also preface my statement with that I have no children of my own. Perhaps I shouldn't be sticking my nose into this. But as the aunt of a 6 year old girl and nearly 2 year old boy who are watching their "Sissy" literally melt before their eyes, I see absolutely nothing wrong with exercising together. When I first started 4 months ago, my niece (who I will tell you is chunky -- it's not baby fat anymore) would walk with me, but refused to join me in situps and pushups. And that was okay! But as time has progressed, she now asks me if we're going to do our workout today.. it's the little things that matter in the big picture. I may not be her parent, but I'm at least doing my part in showing her the right path. I wouldn't worry about your situation... you are MAMA BEAR. Don't let the male counterpart tell you otherwise.
  • sunyg
    sunyg Posts: 229
    The sad thing is when I met him he worked out a lot. Had a body most would envy. He is the one that taught me about eating right and working out. I do fail at this when pregnant lol. I eat right just don't work out at all then regret it later because I have to work so hard to get back to where I was.

    Thank you everyone! It helps to know that I'm not crazy at least not in this :).
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