To those with Children

ScarredVampiress
ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm having trouble with my little brother. I'm not around him all the time like I used to be, especially since I used to be the babysitter, really, and he's gained a lot of weight. I'd say he's about 5'2" and weighs almost as much as I do(132lbs).

How do you motivate children (he's 11) to exercise or eat healthy?

Keep in mind, there isn't access to a personal garden to play in.
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Replies

  • Gerry_Lane
    Gerry_Lane Posts: 27
    he should be getting exercise every day at a young age....is there a park, school grounds, gymnasium, friends.....he needs to run, jump and play...

    are there sports programs? football, lacross, tennis, basketball? get him involved in activity.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I'm having trouble with my little brother. I'm not around him all the time like I used to be, especially since I used to be the babysitter, really, and he's gained a lot of weight. I'd say he's about 5'2" and weighs almost as much as I do(132lbs).

    How do you motivate children (he's 11) to exercise or eat healthy?

    Keep in mind, there isn't access to a personal garden to play in.

    Is there an activity he enjoys? Would he like to go hiking or biking? Are there kids in the neighborhood who will play tag and hide and seek and things like that?
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    He doesn't have a lot of friends, and I think it may also be due to his weight. He has mentioned a couple times of kids teasing him about his weight(he looks almost identical to the kid from Two and a Half Men..in face AND body). He doesn't seem to enjoy exercise at ALL, if it isn't playing. Of course he's obsessed with playing games on his PC.

    Also need to get him eating better, and that is nearly impossible with kids, you know!
  • Arestoktra
    Arestoktra Posts: 73
    I agree about a sports program like basketball, swimming, tennis etc. This was he can both lose weight, be much healthier, have a sports culture within him, makes friends and learn being a part of a team.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    No 11-year-old enjoys exercise that isn't playing. That's perfectly normal. He needs someone to play with. But even at that age, hiking and stuff like that can be made into a fun thing to do. Don't present it as exercise. Present it as a fun way to spend time together and see nature, stuff like that.

    A far as diet, he's 11 so he has access to what his parents provide. If they keep healthy foods in the house, that's what he'll eat.
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    I agree about a sports program like basketball, swimming, tennis etc. This was he can both lose weight, be much healthier, have a sports culture within him, makes friends and learn being a part of a team.

    I think that is the best option at this point. Is good idea for exercise, but then the problem becomes how to pick him up from afterschool sports since me mum and brother work..but I will run the idea by them!
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    No 11-year-old enjoys exercise that isn't playing. That's perfectly normal. He needs someone to play with. But even at that age, hiking and stuff like that can be made into a fun thing to do. Don't present it as exercise. Present it as a fun way to spend time together and see nature, stuff like that.

    A far as diet, he's 11 so he has access to what his parents provide. If they keep healthy foods in the house, that's what he'll eat.

    That makes sense. I should try to get me mum to clear the junk out of the house. She's a junkie fanatic but is so fit for some reason... Or maybe she could hide junk. I will try it! Thanks!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Good luck.
  • sdavis448
    sdavis448 Posts: 193 Member
    This probably isn't the best idea if he is already overweight, but it will get him moving. My friend has 2 boys (8, and 10). They go for 2 mile bike rides to dairy queen a few times a week and get an icecream cone. It started out just wanting them to get outside rather then play video games all summer, but now they do it most of the year. Would be all year if we didn't have such nasty winters.
    Maybe try that.. substituting Dairy queen with something not food related or even just a little healthier?
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    This probably isn't the best idea if he is already overweight, but it will get him moving. My friend has 2 boys (8, and 10). They go for 2 mile bike rides to dairy queen a few times a week and get an icecream cone. It started out just wanting them to get outside rather then play video games all summer, but now they do it most of the year. Would be all year if we didn't have such nasty winters.
    Maybe try that.. substituting Dairy queen with something not food related or even just a little healthier?

    That's actually a great idea! We have stores that are within walking distance, if you walk about 30 minutes. Yeah, I'll try that, too. Thanks!
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    Please, whatever you do, DO NOT tell him that you're wanting him to get moving to lose weight. Or even to get healthy. He's smart enough to read between the lines of "getting healthy." Just swing by and take him on hikes, or out to the park to play Frisbee, or over to the soccer field to practice dribbling and kicking, or to the track to have a silly race. Whatever. But don't tell him you want him to lose weight or get healthier, and tell your parents not to say those things either. He's 11. It's a fragile time for the self-esteem. Just get him out and moving in a way that he enjoys, and leave it at that.
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    Thanks for all the advise! I will try..well, everything. haha He also visits his father in America(Texas, ya know, 'everything is bigger') over just about all the holidays, and his father is not healthy or in shape at all, so I worry about him going there as well, but there isn't too much to do there except fuss at him not to feed him junk..

    But thanks for all the advise, it makes me feel better! :)
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    also try geocaching.
    you can make it into a whole secret thing.

    Basically you go on a website, and get GPS coordinates then have to go find some little treasure thing.
    Get a GPS or a smart phone and go for a hike. You even get to call other people that don't know about it muggles.
  • ocylott
    ocylott Posts: 31
    Does he have something like a Wii or Xbox Kinect? You'd be surprised how much those can get you moving even in a regular video game (as opposed to one of the workout programs available for those systems) if he plays on them instead of on a computer.
  • km_jenn
    km_jenn Posts: 107
    He doesn't have a lot of friends, and I think it may also be due to his weight. He has mentioned a couple times of kids teasing him about his weight(he looks almost identical to the kid from Two and a Half Men..in face AND body). He doesn't seem to enjoy exercise at ALL, if it isn't playing. Of course he's obsessed with playing games on his PC.

    Also need to get him eating better, and that is nearly impossible with kids, you know!

    If he likes playing the PC games, maybe an active gaming system would be good. They have all kinds of games for Wii or Connect that get you moving. I play with my kids all the time, and some of them get me sweating like my kickboxing class at the gym!
  • FrugalMomsRock75
    FrugalMomsRock75 Posts: 698 Member
    I have encouraged my girls to join me for girl talk while we do the c25k program together. :) Maybe you can play with him-run with him, do jump rope "competitions" something like that?


    As far as the weight-he's pretty tall for 11 since boys don't typically have their spurts until later than girls. While he is a little high in weight for that age, he's also in the 90th percentile for his height... which means he's probably just right since it isn't lopsided (high weight, low height or vice versa).
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    It depends on where in Texas, but even here (Texan speaking) there are puh-lenty of things to do... But again, it depends on where. But in my city alone there is hiking, biking, canoe/kayak/boating, frisbee golf, indoor rock climbing, among the plethora of sports as well. But no matter where there is always biking and walking as long as you take care in the summer for the heat and don't do it on the major streets.


    eta: so perhaps if (steathily) you start to exhibit healthy living to your brother and so does your family where you are... then perhaps he will do it on his own while here.
  • sweetmommy215
    sweetmommy215 Posts: 15
    My son is 11, about 5' or a little more and also weighs about 130lbs. It's normal. A lot of boys around this age (also puberty is lurking) go through a big growth spurt. They tend to grow like Christmas trees. Out and up. I know my son could use a little more physical activity in his life, but I don't think it would make that much of a difference. He would eat me out of house and home if I let him. So I try to have at least a few healthy snacks around the house to offset the bad ones. So I honestly don't think there is much to worry about.
  • arickim
    arickim Posts: 137
    You say some kids tease him? I would talk to him about the teasing and mentioned you and he could do a few activities together. That gives him a chance to workout some and you and him spending time together. Talk about some healthy food choices with him also.
  • mommyred35
    mommyred35 Posts: 275 Member
    Please, whatever you do, DO NOT tell him that you're wanting him to get moving to lose weight. Or even to get healthy. He's smart enough to read between the lines of "getting healthy." Just swing by and take him on hikes, or out to the park to play Frisbee, or over to the soccer field to practice dribbling and kicking, or to the track to have a silly race. Whatever. But don't tell him you want him to lose weight or get healthier, and tell your parents not to say those things either. He's 11. It's a fragile time for the self-esteem. Just get him out and moving in a way that he enjoys, and leave it at that.


    I agree
  • jiigglybutt
    jiigglybutt Posts: 345 Member
    the kids I babysit have tons of fun doing work out videos on netflix! Before bath time, I have my daughter run 5 laps around the parking lot to wear her out a bit :laugh: she enjoys the challenge! Get him a bicycle, jumprope, hoola hoop, etc. I know you say no yard, but is there a spot for a trampoline or pool? I have a 4 foot deep swimming pool on the sidewalk outside my apartment! :laugh: I haven't tried it but my neighbor's daughter does it and it looks fun, but video games for wii! Her boxing game really looks like a fun work out! She does Just Dance too, etc...
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    It depends on where in Texas, but even here (Texan speaking) there are puh-lenty of things to do... But again, it depends on where. But in my city alone there is hiking, biking, canoe/kayak/boating, frisbee golf, indoor rock climbing, among the plethora of sports as well. But no matter where there is always biking and walking as long as you take care in the summer for the heat and don't do it on the major streets.

    He's in..Houston I believe. And I'm not argueing that there arent things to do there, his father constantly tells us how much there is to do. I just don't trust him to do anything with him there. His father weighs 300lbs at about 6', pretty sure he doesn't like exercise or eating healthy either. ha
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    My son is 11, about 5' or a little more and also weighs about 130lbs. It's normal. A lot of boys around this age (also puberty is lurking) go through a big growth spurt. They tend to grow like Christmas trees. Out and up. I know my son could use a little more physical activity in his life, but I don't think it would make that much of a difference. He would eat me out of house and home if I let him. So I try to have at least a few healthy snacks around the house to offset the bad ones. So I honestly don't think there is much to worry about.

    He may be a bit taller for his age, but his weight is a lot more than I would have expected, especially since all of us(his 3 siblings) have never had a weight issue and were never as big as he was. We mostly put on muscle easily and may look a little bigger because of it, but I don't think he should stay the way he is, if he doesn't learn to at LEAST eat healthier, he'll only gain and gain.
  • sweetmommy215
    sweetmommy215 Posts: 15
    So my first post was before I read everyone else's comments. Don't let anyone tell you he is overweight! He is a growing boy and boys grow much different. You made a comment about how he looks a lot like the boy from Two and a Half Men. Google that boy now and see what he looks like at an older age. He's tall and thinned out. I'm not saying some healthier foods and physical activity wouldn't benefit your brother, but I honestly think you may be more worried about this than you should. A lot of the other posters were definitely right when suggesting you try and take him out and have some fun w/ him. If it isn't called exercise and doesn't feel forced, your brother will enjoy it. Good luck!
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    It depends on where in Texas, but even here (Texan speaking) there are puh-lenty of things to do... But again, it depends on where. But in my city alone there is hiking, biking, canoe/kayak/boating, frisbee golf, indoor rock climbing, among the plethora of sports as well. But no matter where there is always biking and walking as long as you take care in the summer for the heat and don't do it on the major streets.

    He's in..Houston I believe. And I'm not argueing that there arent things to do there, his father constantly tells us how much there is to do. I just don't trust him to do anything with him there. His father weighs 300lbs at about 6', pretty sure he doesn't like exercise or eating healthy either. ha

    Ohh... there is an awesome state park just north of there... I am itching to go camping out there myself... but like I said, just try your best where you are and hopefully he will take the cues and press his father to get outside while he is here.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I don't see anything wrong with encouraging physical activity and healthy eating. Just don't mention anything about him needing to lose weight. That would backfire, for sure.
  • fishergreen
    fishergreen Posts: 109 Member
    I have 11 and 9 year old boys and they are not as active as I was as a kid, it's just the culture. They do like their video games and electronics but we limit the amount they can play. I agree you should not make it about diet and exercise. Make it about healthy choices like eating better and then being more active. Take him for a hike, it can be very exciting for an 11 year old to hike in the woods. Take walks to somewhere, they like the adventure. If you're into running yourself ask him to join you, but go slow at first so he doesn't get discouraged. Talk to your mom and sign him up for a sport, that definitely makes moving fun. Good luck!
  • ScarredVampiress
    ScarredVampiress Posts: 76
    I'll also try to get him on the active consoles, like Wii and xbox kinect, since they have that.

    Is there anything to say to him or show him to maybe..scare him into eating healthier? haha Or motivate, at least.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    I don't see anything wrong with encouraging physical activity and healthy eating. Just don't mention anything about him needing to lose weight. That would backfire, for sure.

    I agree with this thought as well.
  • mattmoo33
    mattmoo33 Posts: 36
    My soon to be 11 year old loves 'helping' me get fit by playing games with me - chasing me in the park, beating me at tennis on the wii etc. He also started playing football every week with a team and has made some great friends there.

    Is the school aware that he is being teased about his weight? My son was (although he is very tall for his age his weight is fine) and they were brilliant - maybe the school could help too and increase the opportunities for exercise there?

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