kids

I was just wondering how many of you had overweight children and how your surgery has affected them. My beautiful daughter is 15 and weighs 220 lbs. I am afraid when I start losing weight from surgery she will be hurt. I mean, I know she would be happy for me, but at the same time she will just be hurt that her mom is going to be thinner than her. Since we have all started eating better my family has already lost weight and I can tell she is losing inches if not lbs. But I love her so I dont want her to hurt. Either way I will still have the surgery. I was just wondering how other people dealt with this. ~~Mary~~

I don't have overweight children but I am daughter of overweight parents and I really wished I had known more about nutrition and how it worked when I was younger. I might not have induldge as much...however Maybe this is a good opportunity for you to do something together as far as weightloss goes. As you are learning better eating habits and doing better for yourself maybe you can encourage her to follow suit. My daughter is only 2 (or will be on Tuesday) and I decided when she was born that I wanted her to be healthy and I want to be a great role model for her. So I'm not going to give her soda on a regular basis (like my parents did with me and I limit her sweet food intake and everything else. When I turn my back my parents are always trying to give her excessive amounts of things...uggg...but anyway...I'm sure she will be happy for you once she starts seeing your transformation. And maybe just a little bit of encouragement will help her start to loose as well and she wont be jealous. good luck :)

Hi, Mary.
After surgery, when I lost weight to just a few pounds of what my older daughter weighed at the time, she realized that she did not want to weigh more than her mother. lol  She decided to try eating high protein, low carb, and she began walking every day, often 1 hour on the treadmill. She lost 80 lbs., and she's getting married in December. So...the result can be something very positive.
I didn't say anything, and she didn't say anything. It just worked out. Stay positive and sensitive, and it will work out for you, too, I'm sure. Your daughter will be inspired by you. :)
Blessings,
Mary

Be open to discussion with her and be clear with her that it's not about being thinner, it's about living in a healthy manner.  Invite her on the journey with you.  She's at the perfect age to join you in workouts and meal planning.  It will be a great chance for you two to learn together.  You losing weight is about YOU.  When she's ready to lose and be healthy it will be about HER.  Be positivie and not pushy, she'll see the changes in you and be more open to change for herself.

Hi Mary!
I think making a positive change in your life is a wonderful way to be a good role model for your daughter.  You are changing her eating habits as well.  We are responsible for what our children eat, to a certain extent.  When they get older its harder to monitor.  But if its not in the house her access to it will not be as likely.  She will see you working and changing and hopefully you will influence her to follow.

Good Luck!
Kim

Mary,
It's a whole new way of life, a whole new way of eating. Your excitement will be contagious. Since I began the journey in June, my 15-year-old son has lost 15 pounds and my husband has lost 25. As he puts it, "This is awesome. It's like getting two surgeries in one." Best of luck. 
Vicky

I have two daughters who are 22 and 24.  I took both of them to the seminar with me when I started this journey.  I think it scared them to death about their future and weight.  I do here comments from both of them that they do not want me to weigh less than them.  They weigh in the 170 to 190 range and my goal is  165.  They are both taller than I am.  I think it is different about your children because they love you and in the end really want what is best for you.  My husband had about 25 lbs. to lose and has lost 7 lbs by just eating with me and nothing else.
We do eat differently now.  I never fix potatoes and I quit buying bread because it just turned green and I threw it away.  If there is something they want to eat that I do not fix they just eat it when we are out somewhere.  I have taken both my girls to my appointments, they really seem to get information out of the nutritionist the most.