Body By Vi for teenage step-daughters?

When I was in high school my parents bought us a family gym membership, and at least a couple times a week we all piled in the car and headed to the gym, where we had an hour to spend doing whatever it was we wanted, as long as we were on the equipment, track, or in the pool. There was no "do you want to come?" it was a "you will come with us, or else..."

I secretly got to the point where I enjoyed going to the gym with my family, even though I would never have let them hear that! Back then, I was 5'5" and 180. I didn't lose a lot of weight, but I was strong, toned, and healthy.

"No gym, no cell phone."
"If you want to go to the movies tonight, you have to put in a half hour at the gym with me first."

Don't let teens make all the decisions. Get them there, then let them decide what it is they want to do. Oh, and bring Dad too. Chances are a light workout at the gym won't kill him.

and also.... start by telling them that they can get the same effect by just drinking only liquids that are free out of the tap

Take burgers OFF THE MENU!!!!!!!!

if they moan, tell them that when they start eating properly, and eating only whole foods (no secret eating) like ur chicken and veggies, then you wil get them the shakes.........

you wont need to, they will lose weight naturally, then you can tell them that they dont need the shakes, because they lost more weight doing it the right way (chicken and veggies) than their aunt who uses a shake, and is hungry all the time

It sounds like they've figured out how to technically comply with what they think you want, while annoying the hell out of you and not really doing anything. They have to want it for themselves, or it isn't going to happen.

I do like the idea of family gym visits, and you should definitely do what you can to get the crap food choices out of the house. Maybe have them watch some of those documentaries like Food, Inc., etc., that might get them thinking more about the quality of food they're putting into their bodies.

You are a smart woman.
Congratulations that they are willing to take some steps now, rather than later, but you are correct in the analysis.
If they REALLY want to take control, they should not rely on a get-skinny-quick method, but truly own the method to achieve the outcome, and to make healthy living an achievable lifestyle.

Oh please, stop playing police-police - if a 17 year old is making good choices and doing the weight loss thing in a healthy way, WHAT is it to you that she might only be 18 in a month or three or two days?? What would you have her do - rather eat 2 cheeseburgers for dinner out of ignorance????

No, I'd not rather she eat 2 cheeseburgers for dinner. I'd rather her get on a healthy site for teens. I wouldn't want my 15 or 17 year old on this site. There are reasons Mike have TOS in place. Perhaps you should ask him why he cares.

FYI, most girls have stopped growing by one year after they get their first period. I like the above suggestions for fun activities. You must keep things positive. Calling the girls lazy is not a good idea, if someone was suggesting that.

FYI, most girls have stopped growing by one year after they get their first period. I like the above suggestions for fun activities. You must keep things positive. Calling the girls lazy is not a good idea, if someone was suggesting that.

I started my cycle at age 12. I was definitely not done growing by 13. And many girls these days start their cycles at 10 or 11 years old, and are definitely not done growing by 11 or 12.

A simple google search for "nutritional needs of teenagers" will show that generally, it is believed that teens have different needs from adults. Of course, some of that is because teens are expected to be more active, which oftentimes they no longer are, but they still are not in their adult bodies yet.

They're telling you that they want you to buy these shakes, to lose weight, but it has to be on their terms? If that was my daughter/step daughter I'd be in hysterics. They're obviously not really interested in losing weight and reducing their food portions. I honestly believe that they will drink the shakes and eat the same food as they are now. Unless they can prove to you that they can control their eating, I wouldn't waste the money. You'll end up so frustrated. I truly wish you the best of luck.

FYI, most girls have stopped growing by one year after they get their first period. I like the above suggestions for fun activities. You must keep things positive. Calling the girls lazy is not a good idea, if someone was suggesting that.

What? If that were true, every girl would be the same height at 12-13 years old. Children grow until 21, their bones until 25. My 16 year old daughter is 5'9" and still growing.

I don't think I did the quote thing right, sorry. My info came from a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. My daughter had to have a surgery that couldn't be done until she was done growing. We waited until a year after her first period, and it was confirmed with xrays that she was was done growing. Not all 13 year olds are the same height, so I'm not sure what you mean. 21 for girls? No way.

I think handling it like a family, not like a weight loss plan, would be the best way.

* eat the same food for dinner (their Dad should understand and go along with that)
* family walks, renting bikes, playing something on Wii active
* don't keep the junk in the house ... swap out ice cream for greek yogurt, or veggie burgers instead of regular burgers

There's nothing wrong with them understanding calories, they're teenagers, but I think if you all do it together it becomes a lifestyle rather than a diet and that's the way we all succeed in fitness.

I don't think I did the quote thing right, sorry. My info came from a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. My daughter had to have a surgery that couldn't be done until she was done growing. We waited until a year after her first period, and it was confirmed with xrays that she was was done growing. Not all 13 year olds are the same height, so I'm not sure what you mean. 21 for girls? No way.

yes way. I think maybe your daughter has medical issues and that's why they could proceed. The average girl continues growing until 21. Bones do not stop growing and fusing until 25. I think perhaps your situation is different than the norm.

Let me start this by saying that I am a Step-Mother as well, although my babies are ony 9 and 12. I applaud your dedication to their health and well-being and the love behind what you are trying to accomplish in getting the girls to be motivated and healthy as opposed to reaching for the quick fix.

My step-children are in great shape due to the fact that their mother has them on a swim team so they are working out (hard) for about one and a half hours every day. That said, while at their mother's house they eat like ****. She is so busy carting them around to meets and practice (two children with two different schedules) that she relies heavily on fast food. They are the only people I know who can tell you right where something is in a 7-11 without being in the store...they are just that intimately familiar with it! When I see that she has loaded them up with chips and cookies and all sorts of processed "fruit" snacks for school lunches...I could cry. Instead I do everything I can to try to combat or at least even out what types of food they are getting. Every snack for school that comes from our side is comprised of a raw veggie and one or two fruit options. Every meal I serve ALWAYS has at least one veggie side, if not more...and with summer in full swing I am serving a lot of fruit with dinner just to make sure they are getting it in.

I am on MFP to lose 15 more pounds (lost 5 already) and to share with my family that healthy is the way to go. Portion control and getting out there and moving are things that we have to do for life, not just for now. Their mother participates in one triathlon per year so from October to June she gains weight (more each year) and then she works her *kitten* off to prepare for her event in September. That is a very unhealthy example and 9 times out of 10 children will NEVER listen to what we have to say but they do pay attention to what we do!

Since you have limited access to them and cannot see what they eat while with their mother the only thing you can do is live your life the best way you can and they'll figure it out in their own time. You need to be careful about how you delliver information because their self esteem is so very fragile at this stage in their lives. I agree with what many others have said with getting your hubby in track and you all eating the same thing for meals. Make sure you have eliminated all the empty calories - the junk food from your home because the harder it is to get to the less likely that they will go out of their way to get it.

Again...from one step to another...I think you are awesome since a lot of steps don't seem to put as much thought and energy into children that are not biologically connected to them - or maybe I just know of some pretty crappy people. :frown:

Good luck!

Read my blog on here about the body by vi shakes. I have an ex-best friend who is selling them. They lie so much it isn't even funny. She posted fake photos of her being overweight for her before and after photos. That girl was NEVER overweight. She has always been as skinny as a rail. I would not just a product that has their people lie for them!