A worrying trend in my family has been that weight gain has been normal. All my life my family has struggled with their weight. My Grandma was an amazing woman who died too early from a heart attack after being over weight for too many years. Several of my relatives have type 2 diabetes from excessive weight and an unhealthy lifestyle. Another has had gastric bypass surgery with fantastic results but now needs more surgery to remove all the excess skin.
One of my biggest worries for my daughter is that she will see what we do and copy us. I do not want to continue the cycle with her. I do not want her to think that it is normal for two people to eat a family sized block of chocolate in an hour. Or continue eating until it is not possible to fit any more in. Or to eat when you are bored, stressed or lonely.
The best thing I can do for her to set a good example, but will it be enough?
Of course it would! (be good enough I mean). It's all about breaking cycles. Cycles of abuse, cycles of violence, cycles of how we treat food.... Children do copy. If you don't want her reaching for fizzy/chips/fast food then you do need to lead by example and make those foods 'treat foods'. You can do it and it will be good enough! Kids idolise their parents! My Mr 7 and Mr 3 LOVE coming out for family walks now. It's part of their favourite time with us. x
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