DD and weight loss

[PinkfluffySlippers63]

DD (15) has been on medication which caused her to gain a great deal of weight within the past year. She wants to lose weight - but I need advice on how to help and support her. Any suggestions ? She has a Fitbit but barely manages to do 10,000 steps a day and isn't sporty. She has serious issues with body image so I need to tread a fine line between supporting her and not increasing her anxiety. I would welcome ANY ideas / recommendations of websites / books/ Slimming World ?? . . To make matters more difficult - I am slim and I need to eat LOTs of carbs due to an existing medical condition) Thanks in advance

I would suggest Paul Mackenna (I Can Make You Thin) There are CDs DVDs books etc. He concentrates on the mental aspect of eating, it's not a diet as such. It's much more intelligent.

It helps with body acceptance, it works, I lost 3 stone with it still doing it\maintaining with it on and off, that's great because you can do that without the feeling of giving up!!

The whole family can do it, it's how we should all eat!!!

How is her diet at the moment? You say it was mediation that caused rapid weight gain?

Thanks for the suggestion of Paul McKenna.

QuimReaper DD's diet is ok - but regularly she'll have 4 - 6 Weetabix for breakfast - along with a handful of raisins. She does eat fruit if I give it to her but often has lots of extra carbs like cakes, chocolate - which she'll buy herself.

I wouldn't put her on slimming world at 15, personally I find while it can work it doesn't create a fantastic relationship with food.

What about doing activities with her to help, like cycling or encouraging walking places? Just a being a bit more active

If she wants to lose weight can she help you cook and plan healthy dinners? And help meal plan with you. I would buy things like eggs for breakfast to reduce the carbs, and help her feel fuller. Focusing on health though not weight.

To be honest if she's having 4-6 weetabix and cakes and chocolate regularly it sounds like her diet is pretty poor.

Or could you go to an exercise class with her once a week? Like Pilates or Zumba? I think a few little changes at a time rather than a big lifestyle change is the way to go.

Gradually building up to losing weight rather than "I am going on a diet".

So start by adding an exercise class, then adding in some walking. Then changing breakfast, then dinner. One step at a time. With the first steps she might not start losing weight, but it's one step closer to being a bit healthier

Moving more might create a bit of weight loss that could boost her confidence. You could all try something together as a family.

Tai chi, pilates (pi-yo), fast yoga are all good.

Might she like fancy "instagrammable" breakfasts - eggs, salmon, avocado, yoghurt and berries, Chia seeds (not all at once!)? A higher protein/lower carb breakfast might be a much better start to the day? She probably needs to get off the sugar roller coaster, especially if the meds were antidepressants.

If you have the money, I would go for a personal trainer. Lots of them can help with diet as well, and she’ll be more likely to see genuine changes in her body with a greater focus on growing stronger and fitter than simply losing weight.

All great ideas - thank you very much.
I'm already making small changes but there are some really useful tips here. The bike (which she didn't like ) has been used twice this week ! I'll definitely try the meal planning as well.

But how do I support her without her becoming obsessed with food/dieting/ developing negative body issues? It's such a tight rope to walk!

She doesn't want to join a gym but does like using the school gym. I've even thought about suggesting she has a few sessions with a personal trainer - or does that idea sound hideous ? !

TitusAndromedom you've just suggested personal trainer - any idea where I find one that works with young people and that has DBS checks etc ? Any idea on how I "sell" this idea to her ?

I’m not sure, to be honest. I went to one when I was 18, but it was through a gym, so tricky if she doesn’t want to go down that route. It might sound silly, but perhaps you could ask her PE teacher? In my experience PE teachers tend to know lots of other people in the fitness industry. Or you could ask the GP for guidance.

As for selling it to her, I think there are a couple of persuasive points. One is that it’s fairly private: a personal trainer could go to you or may have a private studio. I think it also sounds a bit glamorous, like what a celebrity might do to get fit. The best bit is that a PT can offer a plan entirely customised to her needs, so she’s likely to see results a lot faster.

TitusAndromedom Brilliant advice - thank you.

ref. all those cereal bars It's an odd thing with wheat, there's an interesting book called Wheat Belly by William Davis MD it has recipes too. (i know you don't want her becoming obsessed with food ) but it IS addictive, we eat spelt or rye bread and find it much easier to stay slim. There are rice pastas too. Have a look in a good Health Food shop.

Is she still on the medication OP? If she is it might be more realistic to try to limit future weight gain than to reverse what has already happened. If the medicaiton was/is steroids, some of the weight will disappear on its own as her appetite returns to normal.

Is she still on the medication? I was on 2 types fir migraines a few years back and once I came off the cravings for carbs disappeared and the weight fell off without feeling like I was doing anything. Just to bear in mind with certain types of meds the cravings can be very hard to control plus I swear they do something to your metabolism.

Yes I know steroids put on weight ds. had them for asthma and put on weight which went when he came off them.