Fit Kids Raising Moms in a Fat World!

[Lizzy Joy]

Ha! Why the play on words, you ask?

Well, because I was reminded... once again... as I slowed my life down a bit and actually observed my youngest children eating (while on vacation last week)... that God did indeed create us with built-in hunger mechanisms!

I feel very blessed to know that my younger children are still "naturally thin eaters"! I love watching them. Their hunger mechanisms still seem to work beautifully! I have so much to learn from them, and didn't even realize it until recently.

But... my teenagers' and their Mom's hunger mechanisms are another story!

We have been damaged, and are in desperate need of repair... but it will be a process worth waiting for!

God has shown me some wonderful NEW THINGS this week! (Don't worry, I won't share ALL of them.)

Through lessons learned reading "Thin Within" and "Raising Fit Kids", our family has been improving in so many areas. We are learning (re-learning) that when we truly S - L - O - W down, and take the time to prayerfully observe and correct our behavior at each eating occasion, that it really is possible to eat intuitively, and for the glory of God (which means much less food too)!!!

I am so encouraged by what I have seen in my children lately. They motivate me!

They are telling me when they are truly "hungry" and when they are feeling "satisfied"... and I am not worried in the least, about their food being wasted (or waist-ed)! GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!

Here is a great example from thie "Raising Fit Kids" book:

On page 41, the author mentions Pam's son Neil who realized he was a bit pudgy and wanted to slim down. She told him about hunger and satisfaction, and shared how the Holy Spirit strengthens us, and gives us the ability to wait for hunger and not eat beyond what our bodies need.

Then Pam shared that Neil followed her example and released 20 pounds over several months. Wow! She was so proud of him as he realized that overeating was not healthy or honoring to God.

I have been prayerfully sharing these same words with my children this week, and leaving the results to God.

What a great lesson for "Moms" to follow... to come as a little child to Jesus, in every area of our lives!

Teach us to hunger and thirst after You, Father God... You are the Bread of Life and our Living Water! Like a deer pants after water, so my souls pants after You, oh Lord! Let my satisfaction be found in You alone, Jesus. Amen.

[Heidi Bylsma]

LOL! I am with you, Lizzy Joy. My son will stop mid-dessert because he is no longer hungry. He had a brief stint where he struggled with weight and began to apply himself to following his God-given hunger/satisfied cues and he released the weight he had gained. He continues to amaze me. He is a strapping almost 16 year old boy standing about 6 feet tall and he doesn't eat that much...most would probably say it is impossible for him to be healthy and eat so little. But he is definitely not under weight and gets sick less than all the rest of us in the family--that is saying a lot as the rest of us are pretty healthy, too, but even the little colds we get here and there, he isn't likely to get.

Anyhow, we can learn so much from our kidlings! Thanks for this post and the great reminder!

[Terra]

I agree with yall. I can't count the number of birthday parties we've been to where my 6-year old is not hungry for junk food (including cake, ice cream, snacks) because he's too busy running around and playing with his friends. He also only eats the junk food that he likes (like the cake icing, but not the cake itself), and he always shares. In fact, every time he gets a Reeces peanut butter cup, he gives it to me because he knows I like them.

I got worried when he started reading nutritional labels and commenting on how many calories certain foods had. And, then he started equating items that had more than 100 calories (even things that are good for you) as 'unhealthy' (he came up with the 100-calorie limit on his own, I guess because he thinks 100 is a big number). I know all of this was caused by my poor example.

Since starting the TW program, I have been more laid back about my son's hunger signals and have let him stop eating when he is full. However, I do have to be somewhat careful that he's not just saying he's full so that he can avoid nutritious items and eat extra junk (I have had to put some snacks on higher shelves because sometimes he does tend to overdo it). I think what I'll start doing is saving whatever he doesn't eat for dinner until he goes to bed, in case he mysteriously gets hungry again 10-minutes after he was full.

I am going to have to get this book and read it. I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

[Jenifer]

I've never heard of that book, is it related to the tw program or by the same authors? I need to learn ways of helping my kids not overeat. My son... who's not "pudgy" but not thin like his friends and who is only 6 is already self conscience of his weight. He doesn't overeat except when it comes to junk food.... or food he really likes then I'm afraid he might be overeating... I mean he eats more then what I need.... sometimes he'll have 3-4 slices of pizza, and really only need 1 or 1 1/2 slices.... I think it could be that he's a growing boy......

He is also very picky... and will choose to forgo desert rather then eat a green bean or take a bite out of something that he "thinks" he won't like. We have a number of bites rule like "you have to eat 5 big bites.." or/and we serve him small portions. And if he doesn't comply then he doesn't get any desert.

I don't know if we are doing the best thing or not. Sometimes I'm concerned that my husband might be making him eat past full because he'll say "i'm full" my hubby thinks it's a cop out, but one day my son and I were having a relaxed conversation about hunger and fullness... he understands that people are fat because they eat when they are full..... and he said "sometimes dad makes me eat when i'm full"..... I'm also concerned that my husband won't be open to my input about it... he might be, but I assume he won't be so most the time I don't bother saying anything. I think he's reasonable, my husband... but I want to be sure we aren't instilling unhealthy eating habits in my son.

Jenifer

[Jenifer]

Originally Posted by Terra

I agree with yall. I can't count the number of birthday parties we've been to where my 6-year old is not hungry for junk food (including cake, ice cream, snacks) because he's too busy running around and playing with his friends. He also only eats the junk food that he likes (like the cake icing, but not the cake itself), and he always shares. In fact, every time he gets a Reeces peanut butter cup, he gives it to me because he knows I like them.

I got worried when he started reading nutritional labels and commenting on how many calories certain foods had. And, then he started equating items that had more than 100 calories (even things that are good for you) as 'unhealthy' (he came up with the 100-calorie limit on his own, I guess because he thinks 100 is a big number). I know all of this was caused by my poor example.

Since starting the TW program, I have been more laid back about my son's hunger signals and have let him stop eating when he is full. However, I do have to be somewhat careful that he's not just saying he's full so that he can avoid nutritious items and eat extra junk (I have had to put some snacks on higher shelves because sometimes he does tend to overdo it). I think what I'll start doing is saving whatever he doesn't eat for dinner until he goes to bed, in case he mysteriously gets hungry again 10-minutes after he was full.

I am going to have to get this book and read it. I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

We do the same thing with my 6 year old.... but we also tell him he can't have anything else until he either eats so many bites or all his food (if it's a small portion).... because he'd be happy with the junk.

He also gets conscious of the kind of food he eats because he's been learning about healthy food/junk food at school and realizes it can relate to weight. We do comment on food like "you can only have one cup of pop per day because it's not that good for you... one cup is ok, but it's not good to drink it all day... you can have water instead and water is important because......... fill in the blanks"... one night I didn't know whether to be proud or worried because he turned down popcorn and chose to have a banana instead "because it's better for you"... this was all his own. We are not legalistic about health food... but do try to teach that there is a difference between junk food and nutritious food.

jenifer

[Lizzy Joy]

I didn't know whether to be proud or worried because he turned down popcorn and chose to have a banana instead "because it's better for you"... this was all his own.

We are not legalistic about health food... but do try to teach that there is a difference between junk food and nutritious food.

Hi friends!

I've been thinking of you and your families, and wanted you to know that you are all in my prayers today. Thank you for sharing your experiences and praises!

Speaking of NUTRITIOUS FOODS...

I was so encouraged by your posts... but I keep forgetting to come back to this thread to say, "Thank you" and share what's been happening!

After Thanksgiving, as we were heading into December, the Lord led me (secretly) to dedicate myself to a special "Advent Fast" for Him... I was seeking a new and meaningful way to celebrate Jesus at Christmas. I wanted so badly to offer Him a gift that would truly be given sacrificially. The fast really was HIS idea... and not mine!

As I prayed about it, I wondered if I could really do this for Jesus? (Food is such a festive part of the holiday season... and I confess to love, love, love it all... especially the desserts!)

I committed to fasting between 6pm and 6am from Dec. 1st - Dec. 24th.

Could I deny my flesh every evening for 24 straigt days... and have a heart of thanksgiving and worship, while struggling through each temptation? Could I smile and enjoy all the Christmas parties and celebrations WITHOUT enjoying all the food? I knew there would be many "extra" eating occasions in December... parties, potlucks, restaurant buffets, dessert fellowships, cookie exchanges, concert hors d'oeuvres, etc.!

The answer was... YES!!!

But only because He was the One who asked me to give up all those "extra" goodies for Him at Christmastime! He was the One who completely overwhelmed me with His loving presence... which empowered me to keep going, day by day and moment by moment.

It was surprisingly painless... and one of my life's most memorable blessings. I could go on and on about what I received from that experience!!!

Also, hardly anyone even noticed! It was our little secret. But... I did eventually share it with my husband as he began noticing my gleeful expressions during all our Christmas festivities... without having a plateful of food in my hands.

It was the perfect gift for me to give Jesus! And I believe that it was received completely in love... because it was not done legalistically or with the wrong motives... but through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When I did finally tell my whole family about it they were amazed and inspired! What a joy to share this with them!

I also told them how I had released 6 pounds in those 3 weeks of December... instead of gaining the usual 8-10 pounds (like most of them did)

Starting January 1st... my entire family committed to eating healthier foods, having more family time together, and enjoying a nutritious breakfast every morning. We've also commited to not eating after 6:00pm, except for special occasions... usually weekend movie nights (popcorn, fruit and yogurt are what I serve now).

Since we began this "NEW THING" in January... my teenagers have both released extra weight. They are being so much more "conscious" now too (waiting for hunger and stopping when satisfied)!

Thank You, for this miraculous change, Lord!

My oldest son Alex (17) has stopped guzzling big glasses of milk, and has even been careful to include protein with a fruit or veggie at almost every meal. Since Christmas he has released 10 pounds... from 270 to 260 pounds!

Okay... I'm rambling on way too much now! I really could go on and on!!!

Thank you all for your encouraging sharing and prayers. GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!!!

[Lizzy Joy]

I "accidentally" ran across this thread today, and am so grateful!

Honestly, I did not remember sharing the testimony of what God showed me last December, when He called me to celebrate the "Gift of Jesus" in a new way.

Right after Thanksgiving, my heart began to recall last Christmas' blessing... and I joyfully discovered that it was the Lord's voice! He was calling me once again, to a "Christmas Fast" from Dec. 1 - Dec. 25th. I am so excited!

The day after Thanksgiving, I began craving slices of pumpkin and pecan pie for breakfast. And I was already planning ahead for more "leftover delights" in the coming week! Obviously, my mind was on my stomach, more than on my blessings and on my Lord!

Anyway... you can imagine my conviction (and also my joy!) as the Lord once again called me back to Himself and provided me with a "way of escape". "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

My husband has joined me this year, and we are having an amazing time, experiencing this Christmas season without all the extra Christmas trappings!