Working Camps, need advice.

cameralinds
cameralinds Posts: 239
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
I am working as an advisor/counselor for kids aged 7-11 for two separate weeks, with one week of rest in between. Since I will be responsible for young girls at all times during this week, how will I monitor my food intake? I can't just omit certain foods on my plate: ie, bread that holds a sandwich together, as I do not want them to view it as foods you "cannot" have. I want to be a good influence to these girls, and not give them any message that you should "diet" or not have foods you like, or in their case, NEED. I also won't be preparing any of the food so I will not be able to have say over WHAT I am eating. (Also, most likely no internet to daily track it).

Do I just, eat? Not worry about it? Write everything down when I get a spare moment? Track it when I get back?

Moms... how do you portray your eating habits in front of your children, daughters especially?

Replies

  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Just do it. If they ask tell them you have decided to cut out bad foods and you are writing everything down. It helps you keep track of all the great changes you've made.
  • pittsblue99
    pittsblue99 Posts: 277 Member
    I have a 7 year old daughter and the biggest thing she sees is everything is okay in moderation. If we order pizza, we get one pizza and everybody has one slice but we also have salad or veggies to go with it. As far as what to eat - there is nothing saying you have to eat everything that is served to you (although you are probably going to be hungry by being at camp). Definately write down what you eat if you have time but do not beat yourself up over it either. Good luck and have fun :)
  • mizpaden74
    mizpaden74 Posts: 3,878 Member
    In my opinion, I wouldn't tell them I'm not eating bad food (for example bread) because bread isn't inherenlty bad, and I know you don't want to give the kiddos that impression. If you really don't want to eat it, don't eat it. I personally just wouldn't label it. Like, oh I can't eat this it will go straight to my ____. Just my two-cents.
  • 3kidsin3years
    3kidsin3years Posts: 116 Member
    Ooh, that would be a toughy. What about just doing things like losing one of the slices of bread. when they ask what you're doing, maybe tell them you just aren't hungry enough for the whole sandwich, but know that the meats/cheeses are the most important? Make sure they see you eating veggies and fruits, too? Maybe you can explain, too, that when you "grow up" that your body doesn't require as much food (and make sure to explain what that age would be) as when you are younger? It's tough when you have kids, I have three, the middle is 5 and a girl, so I'm trying to figure that out. But, they also know I exercise. I've just resorted to using the word budget with my food, that some things are too expensive for my "budget" and I just can't fit it in. But, I do try to show them the healthy way of eating and that I don't eat the sweets they do after lunch or dinner, on the occasions they get them, I just have my one dessert at night (and sometimes have a snack when they nap). Good luck with all this. I would probably try to write your intake down at night, or when you have a spare moment, just to try to keep yourself accountable. I did this while I was camping last weekend, and it seemed like it worked a bit. I didn't log when I came back, but I did write it down. But don't forget, camping is supposed to be fun and that usually involves a s'mores or two, so hope you have fun at camp at least! =)
  • kellygirl5538
    kellygirl5538 Posts: 597 Member
    Kids will not pay attention to what your eating lol.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    In my opinion, I wouldn't tell them I'm not eating bad food (for example bread) because bread isn't inherenlty bad, and I know you don't want to give the kiddos that impression. If you really don't want to eat it, don't eat it. I personally just wouldn't label it. Like, oh I can't eat this it will go straight to my ____. Just my two-cents.
    Who said anything about bread being bad? Bad food to a child and me is cookies, candy, soda, cake, chips, pretzels............
    Not bread!
  • quietlywinning
    quietlywinning Posts: 889 Member
    What I say to my daughter is that I am making sure to get the most healthy food that I can eaten, so sometimes that means I have to choose one food over another. If I ate it all I would be too full.

    You will probably be burning tons more than normal, so I would not worry too much about it other than not eating dessert EVERY chance you get, and maybe open faced sandwiches rather than both pieces of bread, if it's white airbread. I would keep a written log if you can't get to the internet to log here, but write down your activities, too, so that you can SEE that you are burning more and doing okay.

    And drink lots of water - that's a good thing to model besides the fact it will help keep you on track.

    Have fun with those girls!!!!
  • cobes24
    cobes24 Posts: 132 Member
    I have been a camp counselor and now I volunteer as a camp nurse every summer. My understanding is that camps are required to offer healthy choices at every meal (in NY and IA at least, the states I've done camp work in). I'd say--load up on the good stuff! Not taking the crappy stuff doesn't mean you're saying those things are "bad", but just that you are making good choices. As one other reply said though...they likely won't even notice what you are eating. Kids are usually pretty wrapped up in what they're doing--even moreso at camp!
  • NancyAnne1960
    NancyAnne1960 Posts: 500 Member
    Good challenge. Try to plate up according to the nutrition pyramid or the new 'plate' thing. It would be really interesting in a situation like that to follow the guidelines especially when you have young girls watching you. What a great role model you can be!!!!! Have fun, and good luck!!
  • cobes24
    cobes24 Posts: 132 Member
    Oh--as for logging--what about the MFP blackberry/ipod app? Nice way to log without internet access.
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