Talking to kids about…fat???

So. I am doing three challenges – squat, push-up and crunch. Today was day three. It is KILLING me! My Nerd is doing them with me too. It’s nice to have a partner in crime. 🙂

Nerdling 3 did squats with me today. I HAVE to video her! She sticks her tush out too cute and puts on this duck lip face. It’s too much fun. Nerdling 1 did some squats, push-ups and crunches and showed me up. He felt pretty good about that. Nerdling 2 said the crunches look too intense…he will watch from the sidelines. 😉

I sat down and had a SERIOUS talk with them. I will continue to talk to them about this as well throughout their lives. However, I figured that they have seen me exercise. They have seen me wake up while the moon is still out and go walking. They have gone on walks with me. They have watched me exercise. They see what I am going through. Kids learn more by the parent’s example than by their words.

I sat them all down. They were freaked out. My Nerd was sleeping since he has been working overnight hours this week. They had no idea what was coming. I said to all of them – “Do not get fat. You have to put in a LOT of hard work that could have been prevented had you cared about your body. Don’t. Get. Fat.” I got teary eyed thinking about my amazing kids and how I NEVER want them to go through what I am going through now.

I have heard many sides to the “children and fat word” debate. Some people feel that we should not put so much weight (no pun intended) on them with appearances. Some people feel that we should put more. I feel that I want my kids to love themselves. I want my kids to respect themselves. I don’t have a magic weight number for myself, let alone my children! Being physically fit, eating a nutritious diet and loving your self is all I am aiming for…for myself, my Nerd and my Nerdlings.

Their responses?

Nerdling 1 – I won’t Ma. I see how hard it is for you. I don’t want to struggle like you are.
(Yes that stung, but I hugged him and told him we will NOT be a lazy family and he smiled and went to do more homework)
Nerdling 2 – Mom. Do you really think I would get fat? Then you have to buy me new clothes and I couldn’t sleep on the top bunk anymore. I don’t think my hair would look good on a fat kid. Also, I wouldn’t be able to run away from Bella if I was fat. So don’t worry. I won’t be lazy and fat.
(Thanks child. I laughed, hugged him and said I will always love you. He is my comical child.)
Nerdling 3 – Look Mama. I have a fat belly! (Pokes out her belly) Look! It’s gone now! (sucks it in so I can see her ribs). Mama. You are so pretty. I love you.
(Her words touch me more than she will ever know)

My hope for my children is that they will see my journey and use it like a cheat code. Obviously wallowing in self-pity doesn’t get you very far. But changing your mind frame to a more positive and optimistic outlook will get you far.

Let’s try this again…

I have blogged many times before. Many, many times.

This times is different though. My heart is different. My mind is different. My reasons are different. 

This time I am blogging for me. For a journal of my journey. So I can look back at where I started from. 

If I can do this, anyone can do it.

If I can get healthy, anyone can.

In May, I started this journey at 356 pounds. I know what you are thinking, HOW can anyone get THAT heavy? Well, it’s easy. Denial. I was in denial about my weight.

You see, I don’t have any major health problems. I mean, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol…

I am pretty healthy for being so overweight. Well, I THOUGHT I was healthy. What didn’t click in my head, was that my inability to be active with my children WAS a sign that I was unhealthy. My huffing and puffing on a mile round trip walk WAS a sign that I was unhealthy. My inability to be able to shop in a “regular” store for my clothes WAS a sign that I was unhealthy.

Then we moved to a city that is pretty active. Then my children started craving more outdoorsy activities. Then I saw that even though my kids are thin, active and they eat amazing, they are going to turn into me and my Nerd (hubby) as soon as puberty hits.

That is unacceptable.

So this is my journey. My journey to health. My journey to better myself. FOR myself. FOR my children. FOR my health.

 

I have already lost 19 pounds (since May 2013) and I only have down to go!

Come. Follow my journey. Crave health.