I'm so happy...just have to share

My 17 yo daughter took summer school and one of her classes was a gym class. She started losing weight and tightening up a bit since then. Her attitude has changed immensely. I think she had to be pushed, as the class was extremely intense. There was no slacking in this class what so ever, only push, push, push. Needless to say also that she HATES to exercise and hates the idea of dieting at all. Well now that her class is over she actually wants to keep it up! Think she requires pushing though (just like her mother), so hopefully she will find what she needs to accomplish this goal. She has also agreed to start eating healthier with me!!!! OMG when I heard this last night I about fell over! She is a fast food junky, so it's going to be tough on her. But so far she woke up and asked me what to eat for breakfast. Then I took in a small box of gold fish crackers and asked if they were hers. She said yes, they were hers. I asked her if she still wants them, and she said no. YAYYY!!!

Jerz- I wish you were here to help push her. I think she thrives on it. She just told me last night that she misses the "burn". Hopefully I'll get a descent job to where we can join a gym again. I just pray that she figures it out on her own until we can afford it again.

Wish me luck!!!! or I should say wish her luck!!! She is a beautiful girl and only has such a small amount to lose. I would LOVE for her to get to where she wants to be.

YaYYYYYY!!

That's great, Holly!  So wonderful when they learn the joy of exercise at an early age....wish I had done that.  She probably really sees and feels the difference and doesn't want to mess it up with junk food now....smart girl, that daughter of yours!  Glad you've got a buddy in the house to eat healthy with.  It must really help.

Well it's just the first day so we will soon find out!  It was cute, i went in her room and told her it was time for lunch.  Usually I would ask if you are hungry, but she usually starves herself until dinner time and then finds an excuse to go out and eats massive quantities of fast food.  She smiled and came right out.  I told her her soup is portioned in the fridge, so she realizes it is a serving. I told her we "split" a can of soup since two servings was in the can.  Usually she never uses my "little" bowls, she goes for the hefty big bowls that I put left overs in.  She ate it smiling, so that is good! hehe  I'm just glad she used the right size bowl now!ha  That's a start!!

Its great that you mentioned the size of the bowls..i was going to mention that too..The big dinner plates..we wont use..we use like the ones in between the dinner plate and the little saucer. That way..in our mind..we see the plate full by the time you put your servings on there..not room for anymore :) Not only that..its a mind thing..tells us we have had enough or something..its weird! Whats funny its the simplest things!!

Thats great Holly!!! I think the gym class helped..but I think that it also helps that you are eating healthier..she sees that..and now she can turn to you..shes been watching you I am sure this whole time. Just like my kids..if they see us eating junk..they are going to grow up and eat the junk too.. Goodluck to her!!

I have also had something similar like this happen..My 6 yr old that I have told you about..since we go walking at night..and he enjoys it so much..ok so usually i am walking around the track and they are running all over the place..but he asks me everynight now..if we are going to go walking..cause he wants to go up there. so it rubs off on them..

Another thing that has happened..my husband is going to join the gym..he gets a huge discount since he works where he does..but he wants to start exercising and getting back in shape because hes at his biggest hes ever been and hes miserable..I have noticed also..hes eating less. But theres just no exercise going on. If we dont go mow tonight hopefully he will go and walk with us..if not he will be joining the gym tomorrow probably and he will start getting exercise there. So it does rub off on family..people watch us more then we think they do!

If she likes it, she will come to want to learn how to push herself ; )

If I were near her, I'd do it the way I do at my gym...a friendly offer--"Hey, wanna do some abs with me?"  ...they say sure and then I lead them through whatever I can think of.  They do what they wouldn't on their own, but benefit.

Maybe you can push her?  Do it together?  Get a little competitive?

I'm actually trying to figure out a way I can do exactly that. For one she is way beyond my physical level. I also can't go out walking around because my chest gets so tight, feels like if I move one more foot I'll have a heart attack. I do have a little home gym (bowflex, treadmill, recumbent bike, and some yoga mats), I'm thinking of asking her if she wants to start doing that everyday with me. She did mention last night she wanted to buy a ball. I just want to buy one that will actually hold my weight also (have any ideas on brands by any chance??).

She loves to run though on the trails and there is no way I can do that. lol I can't even walk it hardly from these allergies and breathing issues I have. Guess I'll talk to her tonight and see if she wants to do this with me. If I don't I would  forever feel guilty not helping her out. Plus of course it would benefit myself too. :) I also is one that needs pushing, and a boost...you know that one. ;)

I'm out of the loop on why it would be so hard for you...is there illness or just fear and anxiety?

If it's the latter, and only that, Holly, that is the stuff you need to face.  For the true benefit of exercise, I for one do not believe in taking it easy (but that is me and you don't have to be like me, I'm just explaining).  I remember the stuff that was so hard.  It won't kill you...you're just afraid.  If you have to, scale it back just a tad.  But the stuff that's so hard is exactly where you need to be...that's where you gain the most benefit.

What I did was if I couldn't really handle it, I'd tell myself 30 seconds, 1 minute, then the next time another minute.  I did this on the Arc, starting at 5 minutes and now able to do an hour.

I do have a threshold...when my heart rate hits 169 (85%), I start to get scared.  But I can go up to 180bpm.  But if 169 totally freaks me, I take it to 155.  Still a great workout, but less fear.

So to you I say, just start, take it piece by piece.

And when you can choose things you can do together at different levels, like treadmills and other equipment at the gym (when you join one).

As for balls you're probably talking about stability balls (big large ones).  Research online and you can find out the weights.  I got an Everlast for home and it holds I think 300lbs.  Other things...how about bands?

Crow, mama!  That is so awesome when our kids "get it".  I am happy for you ...and really happy for her!

I try to tell people that exercise is addicting. I hate to miss it, i really do. It can take a while, but you learn to glom onto the good feelings  like added energy levels and positve outlook to life and forget about the bad ones, like missing sleep or getting cold outside (wah).

That's wonderful that your daughter is enjoying the physical activity.  If she can make it a habit at a young age, it will become a way of life.  Continuing to exercise will help her diet too because she'll figure out that eating healthy makes exercise so much more pleasant and fun. 

Best wishes to you and your daughter!
Kim