opinions on fat camps

karendsmith
karendsmith Posts: 167
in Health and Weight Loss
my step daughter is very over weight and her mother wants to send her to a summer weight loss camp for 3 weeks. We have already joined the gym together(2 weeks). My concern is, the camp claims to have dramatic success for losing 30-40 lbs in 3 weeks, which seems unhealthy for a 13 yr old to begin with. I am afraid that when she comes home she will go back to her poor eating habits and regain it all if not more. Does anybody have personal experience with the weight loss camps?

Replies

  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    10-15 pounds a week is unhealthy for anyone, and I seriously doubt she's going to learn to keep the weight off in that time anyway. Don't do it.
  • tlc12078
    tlc12078 Posts: 334 Member
    This dont sound healthy and I totally agree with you. I think your doing a great job by supporting her and joining a gym together. Maybe I will do that with my daughter. As long as you dont push her, I think she will be ok.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I have only seen the reality shows. I would imagine it to be the most embarrassing thing you could do to a 13 year old girl and would be a great way to set her up for a lifetime of disordered eating. At 13, teach her how to make the changes that will keep her successful for her life, the gym, nutrition education, cooking, etc.
  • Brandongood
    Brandongood Posts: 311 Member
    sounds like torture
  • carrietehbear
    carrietehbear Posts: 384 Member
    I have only seen the reality shows. I would imagine it to be the most embarrassing thing you could do to a 13 year old girl and would be a great way to set her up for a lifetime of disordered eating. At 13, teach her how to make the changes that will keep her successful for her life, the gym, nutrition education, cooking, etc.

    Agreed! I remember what it was like to be 13 and overweight. I would have been humiliated if my parents would have sent me to a fat camp.
  • karendsmith
    karendsmith Posts: 167
    Thanks, Her mother tho, is insistant on this quick fix cure for her. I am afraid this will set her up for failure.
  • lillystargazer
    lillystargazer Posts: 62
    If she wants to go, I would suggest finding a different camp for her to go to. If she doesn't, her mother should understand that and not force it on her. That camp sounds horrible.
  • Distant4dreams
    Distant4dreams Posts: 4
    I have been considering going away for 1 week to NuBeginnings in France or Devon . The average weight loss is 5 - 7lbs for a week. I have wanted to go for ages but would like to know if anyone else has been ??

    Sorry to gatecrash your thread x
  • Skinny4BG
    Skinny4BG Posts: 145
    I would never put a child in a fat camp. That just sounds like complete torture to her body, especially being only 13 years old. Her mom is just setting her up for a lifetime of problems, and its pretty much like she is TELLING her... "Hey, your fat!" She is about to go into high school, and that would just destroy her self esteem. And honestly, at 13.. it shouldnt be her mom's choice. It should be HER choice if she wants to go. You did great by joining a gym with her. That is MORE than enough. But damn, dont let her mom send her away to something like that. Her mental and emotional state would be so screwed up.
  • karendsmith
    karendsmith Posts: 167
    Of course the broshure shows so many fun things to do, such as swimming, canoeing, everyone being so friendly (which may be true, I don't know) Just think its a lot of weight loss for 3 weeks and what happens when she comes home and does not have that lifestyle nor the nutrtion they provide?

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