There is much good conversation here. I will just add that at that age, it is not about losing weight, but maintaining it so she can grow into it. Dr Naly talked about this in one of the Keto Talk with Jimmy and the Doc how he deals with overweight kids. He said, except for extreme cases, kids shouldn't lose weight and that it is better to just aim for eating such that weight stays fairly steady and they grow into that weight.

He also talked about how a kid, even on the SAD, will frequently be in ketosis especially if they are active. The act of growing itself burns a lot of energy and therefore kids will shift to ketosis regularly during periods of activity. Back in the old days, like when I was a kid, we would go outside and play between lunch and dinner during the summer. If kids did that now, they would be in ketosis when they came in for dinner.

It's so sad that a nine year old feels badly about her weight. I recently had to take my 8 yo son to the doctor because he was displaying early signs of anorexia. So, although very different, I understand your concern. 9 is a perfect age to get her into gymnastics, martial arts, or any number of fun activities. I wish you the best.

I always grew out then up as a kid. I agree with the "grow into her weight advice" may be a gentle way to get her started and stressing healthy food choices and making those choices available, easy and fun for her to choose. I also agree with finding an activity or two that she loves, maybe even one you could all do together. Karate is a great idea as well as soccer, tennis, trampoline, roller skating, and even hula hoop! My youngest son and I won the hula hoop competition at his school because we played so much with it at home. I love doing it and it is great exercise! There are some great free hula exercises on you tube. There are tons of free exercise videos on you tube of all kinds.

Great idea!

Dieting may not be the right choice, but definitely choosing the right foods. Choosing a lower carb lifestyle might be good so that she doesn't have to give up the things she likes, but isnt getting an overabundance of carbs she doesn't need.

I'm not sure about the "growing into your weight" statement. That has to vary. For me, my family fed us adequately and I was always a little chubby -- not enough to be a real concern but I was still bigger than most kids. I was also active as a child. The weight never balanced out, I maintained mostly the same shape and am at 160 at 5 feet tall. So take care to guide her now while she's growing and still take the focus off the scale. She can be content with her body and also make​ better choices.

Sounds like a good plan.

I try to reduce what I consider to be "bad carbs" for my kids. I'll have a ton of fruit and vegetables available. I'm not kidding. I bought them 6 lbs of oranges yesterday and it is already half gone. I will often leave nuts on the table to snack on. I don't keep cracker, cookies or chips in the house unless we have some occasion to eat them, like company. I also buy a lot of snackable meats and cheese.

My kids like to snack and graze. They are homeschooled so it is hard to stop it, but they eat foods that I would worry about less.... I don't even have granulated sugar in the house right now. LOL

She's 9. She's overweight because of what you guys have taught her in your house. Sorry, but that's the truth of it. She's not doing the grocery shopping. You and your wife have both eaten in a less than ideal fashion to have the need to lose weight and she has learned that from you. Throw the junk food out, put good meat and veg on the table, in appropriate portions, keep some fruit and dairy around as snacks (not icecream) and teach her how to eat. Limit the computer and TV use and engage in some outside activities. Doesn't even have to be "exercise" - just doing stuff like kids are supposed to.

I don't say the above to be mean, but a 9yo should not need to go on a diet or have weight problems.

I'm keto, but it doesn't have to be keto. I probably would not need to eat keto now if my parents hadn't practically force fed me huge meals as a child - end result 120kg and pre-diabetic at 38.

Just my non-professional suggestions. Experience is growing up in an overweight household that provided crappy food and didn't encourage activity.

-Throw out the scale and don't let her on one again.
-Start teaching her what a healthy LIFESTYLE is. Take walks with her, encourage her to play outside (play with her if you have to) and get involved in some sort of sport or activity (from soccer and karate to girl scouts - being involved in something is such a great influence on so many levels).
-STOP providing crappy food. You are the parent of a 9 year old. She can't just go buy whatever she wants to eat it. Stop buying packaged/instant junk and allowing her to eat it. It will start an addiction that will diminish her health for years to come. She might complain and get upset and even tell you she hates you........but I promise in the long run it is for everyone's benefit. ((Sorry if this seems assumption like, but most 9 year olds don't become overweight by eating too many fruits and veggies and quality meats)).
-Make sure you lavish her with positive comments to help her build self-esteem. Don't just say "you are beautiful" or "you don't need to lose weight". Be specific and don't lie - say stuff like "you are so funny", "your eyes are always sparkling" or "you dress yourself well".
-You need to set the example. Your wife and you both need to be firm in your stance and stand together. You also need to practice was you preach.

Sorry if this sounds rough or judgmental - I think it's fantastic you are already involved and want to change things. I just became very overweight by the time I was 21 and was at a REALLY bad place. I figured out a way to turn my life around and am no much healthier and happier (though still fighting that sugar addiction and still have some weight to lose - 5 years later). My parents and sister never changed their lifestyle and are still super overweight and the health problems are starting to mount up on them. It is sad and scary. I wish my parents would have known what I know now back when I was a kid (they still refuse to know it too).....I'd be looking forward to having them be grandparents vs being scared they won't be alive to see me have kids.

I wish you and your family all the best!!!

The journal is an awesome idea. I wish I had started one 2.5 years ago when I went Keto. At the time my thinking was not as clear and my focus was staying alive until I could learned how to walk death backwards.

Some parents have great success moving kids to Keto but I think they were much under age 9 plus they may have been home schooled.

Best of success in getting the kids to eat a less inflammatory way.