Looking for Advice please

[Ebonyspice]

I am feeeling really low . Today my son who is overweight like I am overheard some say "isnt he fat!" I feel so bad for him as he is only 8 years old . I had planned on going on the AWOL with him during the summer holidays which starts on Friday . I wouldnt mind if the guy had said it about me. Well now I feel bad because I have not only let myself go but also my son . I am serious about letting him start the Atkins with me . So I would like some tips on how to approach this . How do I make meal times fun .I need cheap and cheerful ideas as i am on a budget .

[boonie stomper]

Well, I could rattle off ideas all day but without knowing anything about your son but his age, it would be chance if they proved useful. Have you discussed his weight with the doctor? It is critically important that you consult one and have tests done before beginning this diet. As for getting him interested in eating healthy meals and snacks, here are 3 ideas that can't hurt:
1. Do put nutricious foods where he can get a snack when desired, such as fresh fruit, cut veggies, and nuts. Don't have unhealthy food and drink around the house, such as candy, potato chips and soda pop.

2. Avoid letting meals consist mainly of highly processed food or trans-fat fried food, such as ramen or french fries. Make sure vegetables and meat are eaten as well.

3. Involve him in the food preparation process, and make interesting presentations with food, such as let him scramble eggs, or make food faces on the plates.

Hope this helps

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Ebonyspice

I am feeeling really low . Today my son who is overweight like I am overheard some say "isnt he fat!" I feel so bad for him as he is only 8 years old . I had planned on going on the AWOL with him during the summer holidays which starts on Friday . I wouldnt mind if the guy had said it about me. Well now I feel bad because I have not only let myself go but also my son . I am serious about letting him start the Atkins with me . So I would like some tips on how to approach this . How do I make meal times fun .I need cheap and cheerful ideas as i am on a budget .

Hi.

Its great that you are interested in helping your son lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Good for you.

However, before you put your 8 year old on an "Adult" diet like, Atkins. I think it would be best for you to bring him to his pediatrician and get a full exam. There are other things besides overeating and inactivity that can cause overweight in kids. And these things need to be looked into.

Also children have very different nutritional needs than adults. Especially at his age, because he's entering that time where he's getting ready for his teen-aged growth spurt. So, that's another consideration for you.

If you're terrified to bring him to a pediatrician or can't wait that long, you can start some lifestyle changes like increasing his activity. You can also start cutting out the sugary extras like fruit juice (fruit juice is just flavored sugar water), and moderate his portion sizes.

If you're absolutely set on putting him on a low carb-Atkins type diet, I suggest you read a book called "Feed your kids well" by Dr. Fred Pescatore. Dr. Pescatore was the Associate Director of the Atkins Center during the 1990s. According to the preface Dr. Atkins wrote in that book, the diet described there is the diet the Atkins Center used for their child and teen patients.

[Momtofour]

My daughter had something like this happen to her too, at the same age. It hurt. First I made our home a low carb home. She still gets the occasional non Atkins foods but we no longer have sugar, chips, sodas etc around the house. I figure, she gets enough carbs at school and other places, our home doesn't need them too. She is losing very slowly, but she is losing. I would start with getting rid of the sugary snack foods, substitute the sugary cereals with whole grain cereals, and get him drinking water when he's thirsty. Kids don't even think about drinking water these days. Wishing you the best. I've been there.

[Ebonyspice]

Thanks to you all . Momtofour thanks for sharing your similar experience with me . Oh btw the way I am a mom to four too.

[boonie stomper]

Here's a good place to get ideas for your kids!

http://www.nannynetwork.com/Naniboar...ML/000093.html

[Ebonyspice]

Thanks Boonie just going there now .
Luv Ebony