Hi

I am 17, and have been overweight all my life. At her age I was trying diet after diet with my Pediatrician but my parents always fealt bad...just like you, so not much was done. I do wish NOW that we had played hardball as now I am just getting ready for my gastric bypass. I know it is hard, and I hated it so much when my parents or doctors would say fat, or tell me about all the problems that I would have when I got older, all of which I do have now. I think that your daughter might not be happy when you start your plan, but I think that she will look back when she's in her teens, and thank you for what you did. I know I would have. Good luck with your choices, and Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a soon-to-be 10 year old that I love dearly who stuggles with her weight and her relationship with food.  I take responsiblity for setting pour examples in her lifetime as I was an emotional eater and had a very sick relationship with food pre-surgery.  Despite my efforts to shield her from my experience as a child (my first liquid diet was in 3rd grade and they just kept going thereafter)... I feel I have failed her.   I see her desire to eat and how angry she gets when she is told "no more" and I see myself a year ago - feeding the boredom, the frustrations, the excitement, the saddness, whatever reason I could find to eat.   I made a point of not talking about weight in front of her, and didn't allow the word "fat" in my house for years, but my examples were certainly poor ones. NOW after having surgery, she has seen the response to my weight loss and I fear the positive attention for weight loss - relays a message to her that is painful.  ---Losing weight is valued - - being overweight is shameful, bad, etc. etc. To top this off, her step - mom (Barbie I call her) let her know at age 7 that she was "too fat" and "too big" to do certain activities her children participated in.  Could I have killed her?? Yes - but I didn't - Instead, my daughter lives with me almost exclusively by choice and step-mom rarely has the opportunity to belittle her etc. etc.  So - that is my story - I have created this food obsession - I want to fix it.  For TEENS struggling with your weight:  Do you wish your parents had played hard ball with you regarding your choices (healthy options only and portion control) at 9-10?? I don't want to make her feel bad about her - but I want to help her as I know she struggles with her size, her weight, and her clothes and how they fit. (UGH! I hate this for her!) I thought I could protect her- but here we are - at 9, almost 10 - and I feel I have failed her.  HELP!

Cathy, Just like your son can't go to the gym. He probably doesn't go to the grocery store either.  You need to take control for your sons sake and make healthy choices for the food you bring in your home.  I know it is not easy, actually it will probably be awful. But you just have to do it. It is so hard to be an overweight child. It also sets you up for a lifetime of obesity related issues.

The 2007 event year is quickly coming to its end. We’ve had a lot of fun, met hundreds of people, made new friends, strengthened each other, and empowered ourselves to continue on our journeys. With the close of the 2007-year, our eyes turn to the future, to 2008. Where will we go? Our team has analyzed locations, researched demographics, met with support groups, consulted with area professionals for hours.. and HOURS.. and hours! We do this because YOU are worth it. It is our goal to reach out to as many people as possible. But, we can’t decide where to kick off the 2008 year! We’ve arm wrestled, had ping pong tournaments, basketball games and other battles of wills. So... we need your help to make this decision! We’re having a contest. Where do YOU want us to come to? Let us know! For the month of November, we will leave this post up. Reply and shout out to us where you want us to come to. If you have ever wished for OH to come to your area, now’s the time to speak up! Get your friends, surgeon and support group involved! Simply reply to this post and let us know the area you want us to come to. At the end of November, we will count up all of the votes and we will make the announcement in December. Rules of the game: -Since this is a member’s contest, you must be a member to vote -Each member can only vote once for the same area -Members CAN vote for multiple locations -One post, one vote. If you want to vote for another location, make a separate reply. -All votes have to be a reply to this one of the ‘contest’ posts -Due to logistics, we may not be able to come to the exact city requested, but we will come to that ‘area’ as close as possible. So now is the time to let your voice be heard! Where do YOU want us to come to?

Hey Everyone! Tomorrow is my big day!!!!!! I am so excited! Its still hard to believe that after waiting 3 years tomorrow its actually going to happen! I have to be at Frye at 5:30, which I probably wont sleep anyways..lol...I am a little nervous but I think that I am more anxious then nervous. But please keep me in your prayers tomorrow! I will get my aunt to update everyone! Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed day!!!!