My mother is and has always been overweight. She went through crash diets and even anorexia when I was a child. She always told me I'd never have to worry about my weight, and i believed her. When I was 11 or so she had me on weight watchers with her, not because I needed to be, but because she needed help and support. I feel sad for her now, I didnt recognize that as a child.
as a result of being told I would never be "fat" I didnt see much importance in exercising or eating right, I was always thin as a child, teen and young adult.
I now struggle with my weight after having children. I hate physcial activity, i always have, and I wasn't conditioned as a child to do it anyhow.
I am extra cautious to never make comments about my children's weight. I offer them only healthy foods with the not so healthy things only as treats on a weekend or holiday. I also ensure they do something physical each and every day, which has been going to the pool this summer. This past year I had themin dance and drama in addition to just riding their bikes, playing and doing kid stuff.
We moved to a much mre pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and now we walk the dog around the 'hood almost every night while the older girls ride their bikes and hubby pushes the smaller two kids.
Hubby and I realize that we aren't getting younger and the problems our parents fight are all compounded by inactivity, diet and being overweight. We've decided that we don't want to live their life. When we are their age (early to late 50s) we want to be active and enjoying our life, not constantly shuffling to the doctor or in so much pain we have to stay home.
Meg