Those of us that are parents have a huge responsibility of ensuring that our children eat well. Eating habits, they say, are developed in the first two years of a childs life and if we want to change them, it take a lot of hard work! We all know that kids can be funny from time to time.. like only eating certain foods for weeks on end then refusing to eat it again, but the basics we have to teach them.
Last September, when I first joined WW, I did a little audit of how much crap food I brought and that is was always in the house (Chips, chocolate, biscuits etc) and in one of the first things I read about weight loss was not to ban it totally... that it was ok to eat those food, just in moderation. So that is what we do in our house now. If someone popped in for a cuppa this morning all I have to offer them is a Marie biscuit or rice crackers with extra light philly cheese and a pickle. (I do offer REAL coffee though... so they still come)
On weekends we bring a little bit of chocolate into the house as this is Jack & Emilie's Favorite treat and occasionally chips, but not as often. My kids treat these food as just that 'treats' and they refer to them as just that 'treats'.... But it wasn't always like that.
It was only after by babysitting the other day that it hit me. Yet another light bulb moment. When the kids where dropped off there was a bag of food with them also. A packet of chocolate biscuits, 6 little packets of chips, 6 lollie pops and a few bananas. When I opened the bag my first thought was "Oh my god.. is this what they feed there kids??" -- then my second thought was "Hang on - twelve months ago I would have packed then same..." humbled by my own admission.
So.... quite often I am thinking about the journey that I have been on in the past six month and I reflect on how it has changed my life. It was only then that I realised that not only has it changed my life, but also my families. My kids eat well, they consider treats to be just that and not expect them each day (which they did once) and my husband has also lost weight. Jack is built like a rugby player... all chest, and he has also been getting comments about his weight loss and it wasn't until the weekend that he hopped on a scale and reailsed that he has lost over 7 kg. For bloke built like Jack, it is a lot of weight to lose. But do you know the best thing about my journey.... is that my family just changed with me, no complaints, no 'just because you are on a diet doesn't mean we all have to be on a diet', they just accepted the changes and took them on board.
So anyway... I weighed in last night with a gain of 200grams, that I am ok about. I wore jeans, jewelry and even my shoes when I jumped on the scales. I am getting less scared of the scales and my focus is not totally on what that number is. I still care, but before if I had jeans on, for example, I would change prior to weigh in, and I would always take off my heavy jewelry and that is the first time I have worn shoes to weigh (Even though we are told each week to leave our shoes on.. he he he)
I am please to report that I successfully completed my week 5 challenge. Week 6 will mean 60,000 steps... so I am going to have to get a move on. Going away for the weekend, so hoping to get a few clocked up.
Thanks for reading...
Kirsty
TFTD: "Successful people do what unsuccessful people don't want to do" (Stolen from LMS post - really stuck a cord with me, pop in to her post and read what else she had to say about it)
TIAGF: A loving family that has helped me with my journey...
6 comments:
All parents can really do for their children at the end of the day is set a good example. And you're doing just that. You must feel very proud to know that you're setting them up with healthy habits for life.
And great that Jack has lost some weight too - not that he needed to I'm sure - but great to know that the whole family is benefiting from the healthy changes that you've made.
Hope you have a great weekend darl :) xxx
I got a buzz the other when I gave our little grandson an apple. As he bit into it he said that is was yummiest apple in the world! Our kids have grown up now but it's great to be able to enourage our little grandsons to enjoy helathy options.
Found your journal through Karen and must say I loved the photo of your lost child!! so cute:)
You are definitely setting a great example for your kids for the future, despite what good ol' Bernie up the top says!?! And proof is how all in your family, including Jack, have benefitted. I think part of your success has been the support of your family and their acceptance of the changes you have made to their diet/lifestyle. The fact that they have embraced it wholeheartedly is fantastic! Have a great week Kirsty :)
Bernie? Hello?? Im sorry - Im all for the vegies. I think you are doing a bloody marvellous job Kirsty - seriously. Your giving your kids the tools they need to make great choices when they are older, and your giving them the best chance at a healthy balanced life. Well done on your ongoin g maintainence too, your doing so well. Have a great week,
Est xox
What a fantastic post. And it is something that I have been thinking about / worrying about for ages.
Whilst my boys still eat food that I don't consider the healthiest options (grilled chicken nuggets or fish fingers) I actually sat down to look at what I give them for dinner each night. And tonight it went like this.
Bowl of grapes & watermelon to start. A cheese stick. A bowl of spaghetti that I made with zucchini & carrot in it, and a tub of yoghurt. Sometimes they get a mini yog ice cream too. It's not too bad. And most nights are like this. They know they have to eat 'every day food' and 'sometimes food' gets served sometimes.
Thanks for reminding me that these lessons are just as important for our families health as they are for our own.
I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow :D
You are absolutely correct! I have been looking after my step sister recently (she's 12) and have realised how foreign it is for her to have a junk free day..
I think it is important to call it what it is "junk food"! Coz you don't want to create an emotional connection with junk and good times (as can happen when food is used as a treat! It becomes "special" food)..
Great post
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