[ooelsworth]

Okay so I have been here for a while, mostly lurking, only posting when I am especially moved. So a lot of you may not know me or my situation so in a nut shell here it is...I am 34 y/o (as of May 11th) and am the proud mom of 3 wonderful girls, more on them later. I have always had a weight problem, food isn't so much my problem, I only eat weird around TOM, otherwise I have a pretty good handle on it. Of course I have been more aware of what I cook and eat, only lean beef, lots of chicken, I make a killer spicy ground turkey goulash (sp?) that my girls love as well, thankfully they are pretty easy when it comes to food. Our only real issues with food is with a lot of veggies, otherwise we are pretty easy (except for me-I don't do seafood-if it knows what to do in the water, I'm not interested, I do cook it for the girls every so often though). My biggest weight loss hinderance has ALWAYS been exercise. I don't even hate it, I just can't find the time to do it. So here's where the girl's come in (quick note-my girls are actually my nieces, I've had them for 4 1/2 years and they had a ton of issues, physical and emotional, when I got them and we are still working through them). Like I said I have been more aware with my food choices, both at home and out, and I have recently started using my Gazelle every night when watching TV, and my 10 y/o (weighs 62 lbs soaking wet) has been SOOOOO supportive, keeping me on task when I want to stray, encouraging me to keep going when I want to quit, etc. While my 13 y/o tells me it doesn't matter what I eat because I'm "not THAT fat" and her basis is that I'm not the biggest person she knows, she knows kids that are bigger than me (breaks my heart) so I'm fine. Then last night (when "Without A Trace" came on) I asked if it was time for me to put my shoes on and do the Gazelle and she was said "nope, you're fine". Background on girls-Oldest-has a different father then the other two and is built like my family, has issues with the weight (especially in the stomach). She is a Cheerleader and has thighs like rocks, and the tightest little butt ever, but she has a belly and if she didn't have practices and classes like she does she would be a little heifer. Middle and Youngest-built like there fathers family, tall and slender. The middle one is a Cheerleader as well and the only place she has any sort of weight is her butt, the baby is pretty average, tall, but not super skinny. So I guess what I'm wondering is: Why is the oldest saying these things? Does it scare her that I might lose weight? Is she worried about HER weight and future? Am I reading to much into this? What do you guys think? I don't think it's a teenager thing. FYI-like I said I've always had a weight problem (well since High School anyway) and I think that it is partly my parents fault, not only did they bring TONS of junk into the house, we never talked about making good food choices, I was never encouraged to do anything athletic at all, not even free activities (although I did have a bike and took swimming lessons for a few years). The reason I say this is because I know some people think talking to kids about food and weight related issues or having them do too much physical exercise will hurt them in some way. Anyway sorry this was so long and kind of confusing.

[kristine724]

I think that you need to do what YOU feel is good for YOU. I don't know if the weight you have on is affecting your health in anyway now, but it can in the long run, and having those girls in your life would be a big motivator to get healthy and loss the weight. Talking to all of the girls about being healthy and wanting to be active is a good thing. May be get involved in some type of family activity you can do together, like swimming or bike riding. In the long run you all benefit if YOU are taking care of yourself and setting a good example for them.

[exquisitern]

My daughter is going to be 8 in July. She knows that I am dieting and trying to eat healthier. I take her out with me in the evening and she rides her bike while I walk for 3 1/2 miles. She is very encouraging. I think kids who love their guardians/parents see us differently. My daughter tells me I'm beautiful the way I am. I tell her that I want to be skinnier and healthy. I don't think she cares one way or the other. Though she is very encouraging for me walking, mostly because she wants to go ride her bike in the park!!! lol
Good luck!!
I think be truthful with the girl and do what is healthy for you! Maybe it will rub off on them to be healthier too, which is always a plus!!!

[tljg140]

My youngest daughter used to be terrified of my losing weight. I finally got her to admit that and her reasons were basically that she needed me to be exactly what I had always been. In her little mind, she felt that if my body changed dramatically, I would change as well. She actually got angry if I lost weight or excercised. When I finally dropped all talk of body image and looks, and focused on heart health, blood pressure, things like that, she slowly came around. I also reassured her that my jean size is all that would change, not my personality and not my priorities. Hope this helps a little. Good luck.