From Lucille, Child's Age 17 - 09/10/18 - IP#: 162.253.130.xxx  Click here to reply  
Hello everyone. I wrote on this site roughly a year ago about my two boys, Spencer and Benny. At the time, Spencer was 5'8 and 220 and Benny was 5'10 and 245. Unfortunately, their eating habits have not reduced and both of them have gained a considerable amount of weight. A few days ago, I took both of them to the doctor and I was shocked with the amount of weight gained. Spencer weighed in at 262 at 5'9 and Benny was 290 at 5'10.
The doctor was concerned and talked to them about it, but soon to be 17 and 18 year old boys are great at tuning people out, or they just didn't listen to what he said.
I have tried to talk to them about it, but they refuse to talk about it with me. I've tried my hardest to not get upset with them, or make irrational decisions. Please help!
Reply from Janis, Child's Age 13 - 09/11/18  - IP#: 64.65.64.xxx
Hello Lucille, With sons the age of your two boys, I don't think there's anything you can do in addition to what you've already done. The desire to change their eating habits and weight is going to have to come from them. I would suggest that you not appear to nag your sons about their size. You want them to feel they can come to you if they have a problem (anything, not necessarily weight related) and not have you bring up their weight. You mentioned that your oldest is almost 18. What is he planning to do in the future? This might be a way to help him realize he needs to do something about his weight. For example, if he wants to be a first responder (police or fire department), he's going to have to meet height/weight requirements. There's no way a 5'10" young man carrying 290 pounds will qualify. Same thing with the military. He'll have to realize this for himself, but he needs to feel you support him (you do, of course, but it's his perception that's important). Hope this helps.