My daughter picked up my pre-op bad habits!

Hi! My daughter is 7 years old and weighs 85 lbs. Our doctor said she is overweight and needs to lose weight. I was horrified when he told me in front of her! She didn't seemed bothered by this but I felt my heart breaking! I see her eating and how much she eats I try to limit her without "limiting" her if that makes sense. She is always hungry or thinking about food, even when she has friends over to play, eating is on her mind. Today I made lunch for her and her friend the friend didn't finish all of her food and my daughter asked if she could have the rest. I don't know what to do! I don't want her to grow up with the same shame I felt about eating! But I don't want to see her growing fatter and fatter either. She is now wearing a size 14. She has alot of friends, is in gymnastics and is starting soccer this month. I am just concerned how this will affect her throughout school. I love my baby!! What do you think I need to do????? I am 10 months post op and down 102 lbs. 35 lbs to reach goal. Thank you for you help..

I know this is a little late but maybe you could try to include your daughter in your exercise. I'm planning on walking and riding bikes with my kids as soon as I'm able after my surgery. My kids also know that junk food won't be coming into the house afterward. If they want it they have to eat it at school. I've never put either of my children on a "diet" as such and both are overweight but with my food choices changing I'm hoping it will help all of us get healthy. Good luck

Hello - I have a 7 yr old daughter as well. She is tall for her age but weighs 100 lbs. Her pediatrician hasn't commented on her weight yet but I don't want it to get to that point either. She is not active at all and I am trying to get her to be more involved and active instead of sitting home in front of the tv. Hopefully, once I have surgery my new eating habits can be a new thing for the both of us. As well as my exercise routine. She has a great self esteem about herself and is not concerned about her weight. I think that our 7 yr olds will eventually catch on to a new eating lifestyle eventually or at least I hope so. We just have to encourage them to eat the right stuff and get them active and moving. By the way, your pics look good!

Hi I know where you are coming from. I have an 11 year old girl who was picking up weight also. She was at 128. I know this is a tough time for girls her age but I was scared to death she would end up like me. I have been totally honest with her about my surgery and the changes I would be going through. I was and still am very positive about all this and she has jumped on my wagon. She eats most of what I do. She recently got braces and that has kinda been like her "surgery" .... meaning no sugar, soda, and gummy stuff n such. All sweets and snacks are limited. But thats okay with her. We are doing this together. We have had a great time and she is celebrating every milestone beside me. I am all most a year out of surgery. I have lost 145 pounds and she has lost 12. I am trying to teach her the importance of making the "right" choices. We never use the "D" word here. We are getting "healthy". Good luck to you. I know this is a great concern to you. Take Care. April

Greetings I do understand your concerns. I know what I experienced as a overweight child. I have a teen son who feels the pressures of weight with his peers playing sports. He is not overweight...yet. However, I look at his father and I...and his eating habits, and it does not look good. Already, he cannot wear certain things because of his build. I love him...I do, but gracious, his behind is very round, yes, like a girl. He rides a bike almost daily, runs track and plays football. Still, this is his natural build. He also eats...alot, but he is a growing boy. Like you, I did not want him to have "food issues" and then end up eatin everything in sight. If he had cancer...a cold or was at risk of any other health issue, I would set limits. We have been talking for years about weight control, genetic makeup, healthy eating and being active. I want him to learn to set his own natural limits. As a parent, sometimes, you have to say No. Setting limits is a part of parenting. Your daughter will do as you allow her to. Your issues as a child are yours. I dunno if this is happening for you, but I would just say try not to transfer your childhood emotions onto your daughter. It is easy to do, especially when we recall how bad it felt to be an overweight child. At age 7, to wear a size 14 is not the ideal situation you would want for her. I recall as a kid having to wear boys husky clothes and having to get my girly clothes made. I was a child, and the adult clothing was much too long. It felt awful. For this reason, I started teaching my son at an early age how to protect his health. As parents, we do it for so many other areas. My son does not diet, he snacks and is a healthy child. He also looks at his parents and he has decided he wants to have a different health lifestyle. We have to set limits in life. It is a teaching tool. Nia