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weightwatchers for 11 year old

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crisgal | 11:49 Sat 25th Feb 2012 | Body & Soul
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could someone help me work out the points my daughter would be allowed? She is 11 and weighs 8 stone. according to the wii she is just in the overweight catergory.
She is a completely different shape to her skinny minnie friends and has always accepted this.
But now we are finding it difficult to find clothes that fit well, and she does have a couple of adult size 12s.
She would like to lose some weight to feel more comfortable, and be fitter.
I am on weightwatchers and would like to help her but am not sure how much she should have (to just lose a few pound from her tummy and bottom.)
She is active and and is in scouts and drama groups. I feel sad for her when she has to have different costumes to others in her group.
PLEASE READ:
Before someone calls social services - I am NOT trying to put her on a diet - she has asked me for help! She does not have access to junk food and only has sweets/chocolate/pop as a treat at weekends etc.
She is always hungry! If i'd let her, she would eat as much as her dad at mealtimes! I know that she's growing and that's why I want to make sure she has enough calories.
I also understand that it may be puppy fat that she could lose later, as my 18 year old son did, but sadly i never did!
Unfortunately, i can't afford to pay for both of us at WW, but have access to all the programme online.
It's working for me, I have lost 2 stone since september.
She eats lots of fruit and veg and i cook all my own meals.
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If she is already eating well-with limited sweets,etc-then you are already doing all you can do. If she is active,then she needs calories to keep her energy levels steady. I think-rather than look at what or how much she is eating-as that seems to be fine,you need to address her body and the image she has of it. If-as you say-she has always been a certain body type,then she needs to work *with* it,and accept that that is what she is. Even discussing something like WW at her age is all wrong IMO.
Why would anyone even consider calling social services Crisgal, you're only looking out for your daughter :o)

She seems to be eating fine but maybe she needs to cut down on her meal portion size a bit more and maybe ctutting down on the sweets etc., at weekends and also eat more veg than fruit as fruit contains lots of sugar (carbs). As you say she is still growing and is very active so it probably is just puppy fat and she will grow out of it.
with Tigger...portion control may be the issue...it will all probably sort out itself shortly as she hits puberty...grow up and stretch out...
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i appreciate your answers and that is the way i have looked at it up until now. She has always been told that she is beautiful, inside and out.
As i say, my son was chubby at 10 and is now 18 6ft 3 and has a 32 waist. My concern is that i never lost my puppy fat and am overweight (as is my mum, dad and brother). I worry that he has our genes rather than her dad's side, and what can i do, when she has asked me to help her? How do i know what portion to give her? She tells me she's hungry and i have tried to suggest having a drink instead - fruit - or distracting with something else.
We have to go shopping today for her costume for west side story at drama group - pedal pushers and a knotted shirt. I found her intears and she told me she doesn't want to go beacuse everyone else is skinny and 'nothing will fit me again and i'll have to have grown ups stuff'
If you think your daughter needs nutritional help, can I suggest a visit to the GP and ask for dietician advice rather than WW which,as I understand it is designed for the adult metabolism. It may be that her hormone surge is making her retain weight in the breast and hip area.
I agree with Pasta as well. It may be her body type. I'm a typical apple shape and have never had the stomach I want no matter how much I've tried.
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i meant to say - we haven't discussed ww. she knows i do it, but i wouldn't have told her i was counting points for her. i just need a point of reference to help really.
You could always suggest something really simple, like drinking a large glass of unsweetened juice or water before every meal, to fill her up.

It might depend on the family attitude to food, too. When I was little, we weren't allowed to leave anything on the plate, because it was wasteful - so set her smaller portions (after she's drunk the water etc) and see how she gets on. Does she eat good portions of fruit and veg, and roughage (e.g. sensible cereals, not the sugary ones)?
Then get one from a dietician...please dont start her down the route of diets now.
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also, ww isn't about calorie counting, they have worked out the way your body uses the energy, or something. Which is why fruit is unlimited etc. I also know that if she doesn't eat enough calories, it could be detrimental.
If i take her to gp - that's almost telling her that it is an issue and a problem. I really don't want her to worry about it!
Woofgang is right - with all the pressure and body image messages for young girls, healthy small eating is much better than getting her on the diet merry go round.

How tall is she?
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i know exactly what you mean about clearing your plate! I'm convinced that has been part of my food problems1 We had to stay at the table until the plate was cleared. I can hear my dad now: 'what's wrong with that fat? get it eaten!'
I find it hard to leave anything on my plate now, and am slowly undoing a lifetime of bad habits.
I have never ever told my kids to finish their meal if they've had enough. You stop when you're full!
Question Author
i completely agree boxtops - my question really - is how much SHOULD she have? I don't know!
Taken from the wight watchers website. Adult programs NOT suitable for children.
last paragraph

http://www.weightwatc...1&art_id=22091&sc=801



When To Lose Weight
Weight loss is rarely recommended for children under 7 years of age. It may be appropriate only if the child's BMI falls in the overweight range and the child has a weight-related medical condition like high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol.2 Any weight loss regime provided to a child should be designed specifically for children and have a track record of lasting results. Adult-based weight loss programmes are not appropriate for most children.

In most instances, a child's weight loss should be limited to an average of 1lb per month. This allows the child to continue growing taller and building muscle.3 Children can be successful at losing weight gradually, a goal that rewards parents and children with a sense of accomplishment. In addition, the type of healthy eating that promotes slow weight loss is easy to sustain over time
How tall is your daughter?
At age 11 I weighed over 8st but at 5ft 4in I was still very slim and had to wear adult size 10 clothes. I stayed a similar weight all my adult life until I hit the menopause a couple of years ago and my weight went up to 9st 9lb. I really don't see a problem with your daughter's weight.
The issue is that she is upset about it. The reason for going is to get her objective health advice.
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yes, i see. she's about 4ft 11.
i think we'll pop to health visitor then. I just don't know how to help her now, with these bl00dy clothes. they always decide on skinny fit designs!
thak you all for not judging me. i hope you can see that my aim was not to put my daughter on a diet at all - just to find out what a healthy intake would be!
Ah bless her - I really sympathise with her. I was just the same at her age, I felt awkward among all my skinny friends. I was destined not to be a slim person as all my mothers side were on the chubby side too, I have been on diets and a size 16, 18 or 20 most of my life and in my 60s still long to be like my friends who are mostly size 12 or 14. However I accept this body image now (I'm now about size 16-18) and try to make myself glamourous and well dressed (hopefully!) but I completely understand how miserable it can be at the start of your teens ..........I also was in the school drama group at 13 and they couldn't find a skirt to fit me from the costume dept and had to actually make me one - the indignity of it all stays with me. Just give her lots of love and hugs, you sound a very caring Mum :)
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that's sweet- thank you x x
crisgal, if "they" is the school or scout or the drama group then "they" are contributing to, if not creating the problem. Do you feel able to talk confidentially to any of the organisers and suggest that they be a bit more inclusive in their choices?

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