Working with my teenage daughter

[Kellen]

I had read somewhere, that you just don't do induction with kids, even older teenagers, because they are still growing and such. So while me and my husband have been doing our induction, we've let her have the extra helping, or a Muffin in a Minute, or some berries or nuts.

We didn't have her go up the OWl ladder, in order, just roughly counted her carbs, basing the count on our food. Did away with all processed foods, sugars, breads, potatoes, most fruit, etc. She eats with us, takes her lunch to school, and just has some xtras as a snack or larger helping. She seems to be doing, and has lost 18 pounds in 5 1/2 weeks.

She is feeling so much happier about herself, and is really seeing her goal as being possible. (She started at 215, is currently 197, and has 160 as her goal, at a height of 5'8 1/2" yesterday, she bought a size 14 pair of pants which zipped up, although she has a few pounds to go before they look right. She was so thrilled. It's as fun to watch her journey on this as it is for me, maybe more.

So I'm wondering if this approach sounds reasonable, and would love to hear from others who are helping their children lose weight. On the official Atkins site, they won't really discuss weight loss with or about anyone under 18.

[allyscharm]

I have a fifteen year old daughter and she watches me closely, she read part of the book and she has now sworn off sugar. I just can't disagree with her. I can't help think that no one needs sugar and flour. I do think you are very correct in not doing an induction with her but allowing her to be a higher rung of OWL. Teenagers go on STUPID diets (I sure did). It sounds to me like you are just teaching her a healthy way to eat for the rest of her life. However....that is a huge weightloss in a short time. She really needs to be monitored closely. Have you talked to her doctor?

[Kellen]

Hi Thanks for writing. Yeah, my girl is 16. Is it huge?? Wow, I hadn't thought of it that way.. but heck, we were so bloated with our familial carb addiction, that it's no wonder. I've lost 23, my husband lost 26 in the same amount of time. No, no doctor visits... And you knoooow, if the doc isn't supportive of Atkins, it's kind of a wasted co-pay. Do you think it's too fast for her to lose 40 pounds by May? That's her projected goal. I suspect things will slow down. Holidays are coming, and she will want Christmas cocoa, lol.

So you started in July? and are down 40 pounds in 2 months... that's pretty swingin' fast too! You Go!

[momtomany1]

Well, she has the advantage of that great teenage metabolism. I don't know that I would worry too much about how fast it came off, if she is feeling good she should be fine. It sounds like you have a 'sound' plan going. She'll be able to drink cocoa, full fat milk, sweetener, real cocoa will be fine for her.

I know she loved buying the smaller clothes!

[allyscharm]

My start date for Atkins was July 7th but I started working out May 31st with a personal trainer so my weight loss is really from that date on. I weighed 235 on July 7th so it is really a 30lb loss in 2.5 months and a 40lb loss in 3.5 months. It is still so quick!! Atkins rocks!

I didn't mean to sound negative when I said your daughter's loss was huge. I am sure many on this board lost that quickly. I am thrilled for her. I know losing that weight and buying smaller clothes is exciting and wonderful for her. I think that 40lbs by May sounds very reasonable.

Congrats to you and your husband on your losses too!!

Good luck!!

[Kellen]

Hey Lori, I didn't take so much as negative, as precautionary... any kind of advice or alerts are welcome, that's why I thought I should ask some questions...

I'm just amazed at how much difference the weight she's lost has made in her appearance.. seems like once someone gets to that 200-ish mark, you see a phenomenal change. Additionally she even carries herself differently. Me? I still look like a fridge on feet, lol.

[sadie147]

Before you start anything I think you should talk to her/your Dr...that said my 2 cents:

I would actually start her in pre-maintanance or a higher rung like other fruits or grains at least, personally. For any teen slightly overweight or not, a diet consisting of whole grains and healthy carbs and natural whole foods and cutting out the crap is going to be best...I think teaching good eating habits will be something she will take with her or life, and not only that, she'll probably lose weight (if she needs too) in the process. If she is morbidly obese, or on her way there, then I think you need medical advice. You can only raise a child once, I honestly wouldn't 'wing it' with online nutritional advice, there is no turning back .

I think restricting teenage girls of any macronutrient (carbs included) in a structured way, is a very bad idea, it's putting the 'diet' mentality in their head...girls have enough body image issues to deal with nowadays

[Kellen]

Hi Sadie, well thanks for that... Sigh. Well I dunno what the solution is really. I'm not sure what to do in re a doctor, I already know the one we see doesn't think Atkins is a good approach... I also tend to not be one of those folks who just take what Joe Doctor tells me at verbatim... if I was, for example, I'd have a total hip replacement in me right now, instead of the marvelous hip resurfacing surgery that I had to fight to get. At this nexus of time, I don't feel up to arguing with a doctor who won't support the means of our efforts, and don't have the fiscal or time economy to hunt for a doctor on my wavelength.

This eating plan seems to keep all of us feeling satisfied, and when you are a sugar/carb-sensitive/addict/junkie, like our entire family is, that is extremely important, and works like nothing else has. Plus the fact any way of eating, diet or not, that doesn't include nightly baked potatos or mac&cheese with a cookie on top, is gonna make us feel like we are on a diet, to some degree.

I do have her loosely at a higher rung, and let her have some berries, yogurt, occasionally some rice, and larger portions of whatever when she just has the hungrys... it seems for anything grain based is a trigger for her, and wants more more more. Since she's been on the plan, it seems that times when she has any flour-based carbs, or a good dose of sugar (a stray pop, or birthday cake at a friends etc) she feels awful. She says her tummy hurts, and feels hot and acts like she wants to curl up and die. I am wondering if she is wheat-sensitive, or has blood sugar issues... and thinking I might like to get that tested.

She has a ton of body image issues, and according to the 'charts' was in the obese category at 5' 8 1/2" and 224HW, and 215 at the time we started almost 6 weeks ago. She's feeling better about herself, seems less draggy and is happier now.

What I don't get, is that since we are supposed to be able to synthesize all our nutrients from protein, what difference it would make to remove grains (sugar) potatos (sugar) and most fruit (sugar) from a teens diet... If everything is there that we need, why would it hurt? Please know I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to figure it all out. I've been reading and reading, trying to get a good underlying understanding of how the body is operating.

You are right, we only get one chance with our kids. But seeking opinions from folks who have successfully transformed themselves, and who have put a lot of effort into studying the details and workings of this plan, may be able to offer advice which is just as good(and often better?) as the hurried, censoring doctor's advice that I'm accustomed to getting. After all, the food pyramid with grains as the main source of nutrition is still taught in these parts anyway.

Thanks again!

[sadie147]

I'm not sure where you read that you can synthesize all of your nutrients from protein?.. you need the nutrients in plant based foods like fruits and veggies which is why they are added back in this woe and veggies are included from the beginning.

If grains are a trigger for her I'd say then cut out grains....what I meant by my post was not to force her to eat grains, but to allow her to eat a wide variety of foods there's alot more to OWL than berries and dairy? What about Other fruits, like apples, pears, plums etc? Starchy eggies like sweet potatoes, peas corn, Legumes such as beans, lentils..and there are also nuts. I didn't mean she should be eating by the food pyramid by any means with 8-12 servings of grains etc..what I meant was not restricting her so much. These all include nutrients etc that are important in a growing teen IMO.

I realize that there are many people here that have transformed themselves, but as ADULTS (including myself, I am at goal and have been doing this for 4+ years) and I sincerely think that a 16 yr old has very different needs than we do, and these are all exactly what you said, opinions..this is where I would be careful. She's only 16 and still growing.


And this, like the rest of the posts is really just my opinion. I just think with children and teens and their health you have to be very careful (I have a 16 yr old stepdaughter living here as well).

[IrishSarahHB]

I think its nice that you are teaching your daughter good eating habits young. I was really really big when i was that age too .. and i look back now and think about the things i kinda missed out on because of it.. And its really cool that you guys can do it as a family.

Good luck to all of you