Healthy Families Adventure

Well, my two month hiatus has not been kind to me.  I have regained basically all of my weight since May.  My trip was amazing and I enjoyed every bite of food that I had, but I just never got going again after getting home.  Since May 13, my weight has continued to climb back up.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but my 6 year old daughter is also very overweight.  She was a normal weight up until about 3 and then she started to grow and grow.  As of right now, she is 84 lbs and a "healthy" weight (per BMI scales and what not) would be around 47-51 pounds. 

When I see those numbers, I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.  My biggest fear in my entire life is that my children will spend their life battling weight just like me. 

Everytime we have brought it up with the doctors we are told the same thing.  Cut back on sodas, limit fast food, less juice, etc.  Those aren't really our problem.  She has never even tasted soda and doesn't like juice.  We are guilty of the fast food about twice a week, but even that isn't all the excessive compared to some families. 

Nevertheless, we have not taught her portion control, because we don't follow it either.  Also, she likes all the sweet, rich, yummy foods that her parents partake in. 

We decided that this summer we would sign her up for a bunch of activities in hopes of getting her moving and possibly see a few pounds come off in the these months.  Her schedule has consisted of 4 days a week of swim team practice for 1.5 hours each day, dance once a week for 2 hours, and children's theater 2 days a week for 2.5 hours each day.  The result?  She has gained 2 pounds since school got out. 

Upon learning this, we finally decided that it was time to step up as a family and do something about this.  I did some research and found a book called TrimKids.  It is based upon a pediatric weight management program out of a university in Louisiana.  It comes with a somewhat structured exercise plan, 12 weeks worth of menus, and parent advice. 

So, starting this Monday, my husband, daughter, mother, and myself are officially doing a "Healthy Families Adventure".  My daughter came up with the name after I talked to her about us eating healthy and spending more time moving around as a family.  We did not tell her that she was on a diet, but we did talk about how our bellies aren't supposed to be as big as they are.  And that good choices and lots of playing and exercise with help our bellies get smaller.

We will weigh in once a week.  I am following the menu set forth in the book and also tracking my food on WW.  So far, my food falls pretty perfectly in line with my points.  Most days, I am actually under by about 2-3 points. 

Starting weight: 279 pounds