My Gym: Helping Your Overweight Child Cope

The most important thing you as a parent can tell your overweight child is that you love them no matter what they weigh. It can be extremely demoralizing to the child if you continuously tell them they are overweight. Remember, a child’s mind is very fragile and they look to you for words of encouragement and knowledge. If you call them fat or lazy it will only make the situation worse.

You can talk to your child about their weight in a positive light. Always talk to them with an up beat attitude and with words of encouragement. Also, let the child talk back to you as well. No one knows more than the child that they are overweight and need to control themselves. The child needs support, acceptance, and encouragement from you.

One way to help your child without really telling them that they are overweight is to focus on the entire family as a whole. Change the entire eating habits and physical fitness routine of the family as a whole so that it is less recognizable and you are not singling out any one person.
Some helpful ideas to you if your child is overweight are as follows.

You can be a role model for your overweight child. Plan family activities that gives everyone exercise and enjoyment. Be sensitive to your child’s needs. Reduce the time your family sits in front of the television or the computer. Be more active during the day such as taking the stairs at the mall instead of the escalator. These tips are small, but when you incorporate them all they really pay off.

All of these ideas can be extremely helpful to getting your overweight child back on the right path. Just remember to stay focused on the task at hand and to always be encouraging and not overbearing or demanding.