From Jeremy, Age 17 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 75.66.48.xxx Click here to reply Ht. 5'3", Start: 362 lb, Today: 342 lb, Goal: 120 lb - Okay, so first off I'm not the overweight one... I'm here to get help. The weight there... 342 pounds is the weight of my twelve year old sister, Jessica. She wasn't always so big, but she started putting on weight very quickly at age 8, when our father left our mom. I love her so much, andit tears me apart to see her like this. She just eats and eats, and it's really taking a toll on her. She's obviously having a lot of trouble getting around, and she's still getting bigger! I don't know what to do. I've talked to my mother about it, but she just makes excuses and says "She's going through a rough time in her life. Just let her be." My mom has been severely depressed since my father left and in this matter I don't think she'll be of any help, because she just lets Jessie eat whatever the heck she wants. I've attempted to talk to Jessie about it myself, but she's a very sweet and sensitive girl and it upsets her. I've given up on trying to talk to her, because I know she's aware she needs to lose weight, but she doesn't know how. I know it hurst her. And it hurts me to just see her get bigger and bigger and there's not much I can do to stop it. Before I know it she'll weigh 400 pounds. She'll be too big to move! I'm begging you for advice. Please, how can I help her?
Reply from Matt, Age 18 - 06/18/08 - IP#: 71.132.209.xxx well its nice you want to do something for her, well i think i heard water aerobics are good for heavy people and they can do it, i am not sure how heavy but maybe you can look into it, also just doing anything lifting legs or whatever while watching tv or what not can help, oh like how much does she eat a day? and by reducing what she eats or replacing some fattier foods i have heard helps even without exercise if your certain weights, but maybe talking in the chat or over email would help her. well if you or her want to talk wildernes33393@yahoo.com feel free
Reply from nonny, Age 13 - 06/17/08 - IP#: 71.141.232.xxx dude i dont know you but im gonna pray 4 u and ur family may God b wiyh u!!!!!!!:)
Reply from nonny, Age 13 - 06/17/08 - IP#: 71.141.232.xxx do you think its puberty? dude i dont know you but im gonna pray 4 u and ur family may God b wiyh u!!!!!!!:)
Reply from nonny, Age 15 - 06/17/08 - IP#: 71.141.232.xxx none
Reply from Flower Fawn, Age 15 - 06/17/08 - IP#: 96.227.102.xxx Yes, check out chairdancing.com! It's great! Look, I'm sure this is hard for you, but try your best. Becuase if she keeps this up she won't live a long life an probably not a very fulfilling life either. To make an impact, you might have to seem a bit tough or sneak around your mom a little. Do whatever it takes to help! Best wishes to you and your sister!!!
Reply from Jeremy, Age 17 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 75.66.48.xxx I'll give it my best effort, but I can't help but feel alone in my struggle. My mom is all for me just "leaving her alone" and letting her get so fat she can't move, and my poor little sis is just so sensitive. But thank you for the suggestions and I intend to try them out if at all possible. Anybody know any exercises that might be good for her at her extreme size?
Reply from Claire, Age 19 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 64.131.205.xxx Hmm. What about her doctor? maybe she can put her on a healthy plan of some sort. It's really not that hard, Jeremy. Next time, go to the grocery store alone with your mom and buy healthy foods and when you come home to prepare the meals, just tell your sister that its the samething. Orrr have you ever heard of that book "Deceptively Delicious" ?? you should really buy that book or check it out from the library. It shows you ways how you can get your kids eating healthy without them even knowing it! for example if she doesn't eat broccolli, hide it in some cheese or something and she won't notice a thing. Just check the book out, it's got lots of great ideas. If you're willing to go the extra mile for your sister then you should do it and don't let anything stop you. She's a kid so of course she's going to say the word 'NO' over and over again, but you have to look past that...make compromises and figure out things around it. She can't force you to buy a bag of cheese doodles, remember she's the KID. YOur mom and you are much older than her, to look out for her..when she says "no" to you, you say "no" right back. You can't let things slide otherwise who knows how unhealthy she can get and yes she can even reach 400 :( you only live once. Coming to this board and asking for help was the first step--now taking the advice and running with it is the second. You can do it and I'm sure Jessica can also. Good LucK!
Reply from Jeremy, Age 17 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 75.66.48.xxx I would love to change the way she eats, but unfortunately being the older brother I don't have that kind of power. I've tried doing the shopping for my mom before, but she gets mad whenever I don't get exactly what's on the list, meaning all the junk to. I've talked to her about it, but she's just so stubborn. As for the exercise, I've troed to get my sister to go on walks or bike rides when she was smaller, but now she's so big and out of shape she can barely walk, and just walking around our house makes her really out of breath. I just don't know what to do... And as for our father... we're not supposed to talk about him really. My mom forbids it and although I've tried talking to her about what happened I can't get her to open up. I've tried getting her to talk to the school counselor but she wouldn't say anythimg, and we don't have enough money for professional counseling, nor do I think she'd go.
Reply from Claire, Age 19 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 64.131.205.xxx FIrst off, I think it's beautiful for you to want to help her..just shows what a great big brother you must be! she's 12 and just a kid so she must feel hurt everytime someone calls her out on her weight. It's normal. Don't tell her to make drastic changes. Simply switch around the meals with healthier options. If you're giving her a sandwhich, try whole wheat bread and instead of mayo..try Miracle Whip or light mayo. If she's eating white rice, switch it to brown rice. If she's drinking excessive amounts of fruit juices and soda, have her switch to diet soda or simply water (but water can be boring for a kid) so get her something healthier, a fruit juice (that does not say artificial flavors on the label), if she likes potato chips get her ones that are baked instead of fried. If she's a pizza fan, get her pizza with light cheese and made on a whole wheat crust/bread. There are SO many alternatives out there, you just have to look and ask. Also tell her how important moderation is! have her snack through out the day on HEALTHY foods so she does not eat a whole lot in one sitting and does not get hungry all the time. Like for example, she can have breakfast Cheerios or something...then 3 hours later maybe give her a light snack like a yogurt, air popped popcorn...3 hours later maybe a piece of fruit or a healthy sandwhich, you know what I mean? the food won't taste like garbage and she probably won't even notice the difference! Also with all that healthy eating, incorporate exercise...it doesn't have to be stressful. It can be something like riding a bike or taking a walk around the block, do it with her! I wish your sister the best of luck and trust me if she eats right and exercises, the pounds will just melt off~! =)
Reply from Flower Fawn, Age 15 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 96.227.102.xxx *family
Reply from Flower Fawn, Age 15 - 06/16/08 - IP#: 96.227.102.xxx Your sister has a problem becuase she eats out of habit, but the deeper issue is that your father left. Only when she can accept that it wasn't her fault and deal with the emotions she's been stuffing down will she be able to take control of herself again. Try talking to her about why she misses your father, or see if you can get her to talk to a school counselor or nurse, who can probably handle the situation better than you just becuase they know how to talk to kids without embarrassing them. Help her take care of herself mentally, then get her to realize that she is damaging her body, it won't bring her father back or help her mother or anything else. Best wishes to you and your fmaily is in my prayers!
