"My daughter will be 17 and is very overweight. "

 


"My daughter will be 17 and is very overweight. She is so smart, and I have tried to get her to go to the gym or eat better with no luck. Does anyone have any ideas that have worked for me to try?"

My Take: I have a friend whose daughter struggled with a similar issue. Now, as an adult, she’s battling serious depression tied to her size. It’s heartbreaking, and it highlights how critical it is to address this now—not just physically, but emotionally, too.

The key here isn’t about pushing her to diet or hit the gym—it’s about creating a supportive environment where she feels empowered to make changes on her terms. Teens often resist when they feel pressured, but they’ll engage when they feel in control.

Start with small, achievable steps:

  1. Focus on fun, not fitness. Forget the gym—try activities she might enjoy, like dance classes, hiking, or even a martial arts class. Let her explore until she finds something she loves.
  2. Cook together. Instead of “eat better,” make it about experimenting with fun, healthy recipes together. Create a judgment-free zone where she feels excited about food, not restricted by it.
  3. Talk about feelings, not numbers. Ask how she feels about her body and listen without judgment. Let her guide the conversation about what she wants to change, if anything.

And consider enlisting help from a professional, like a nutritionist or counselor, who can frame these issues in a neutral, supportive way.

Helpful Resources:

  1. "Body Love: A Guide to Food Freedom" by Kelly LeVeque – A practical, approachable book available on Amazon.
  2. National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – Offers support and resources for building a healthy relationship with food and body image.

And remember: The goal isn’t just a smaller body—it’s a happier, healthier daughter who feels good about herself.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My daughter’s pediatrician is concerned that my daughter has an eating disorder.

Image
  "My daughter’s pediatrician is concerned that my daughter has an eating disorder. She lost almost 10lbs since September. She used to be bigger than all her friends since she was in middle school. She likes eating but no exercise or any movement. She used to eat too much sweet and sugary drinks. We were worried about her eating habit because she gained too much weight rapidly in unhealthy ways. Last year, she started hanging out with some girls who are in cheerleading. They hardly eat, and they are very thin. My daughter stopped eating snacks this school year. She started running. I thought it was all good signs until we found out that our daughter tried to throw up at least twice last week. I found food she spit in the toilet because she forgot to flush it. The pediatrician recommended some dieticians, but it is not affordable with no insurance coverage. Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated. Thank you." My Take: First, let me acknowledge how hard this must be fo...
Read more

When SnapChat and Burner Phones Cross the Line: Handling Inappropriate Content

Image
A concerned parent shares their distress after discovering their child using a burner phone for Snapchat and finding inappropriate content sent by a male schoolmate, including explicit images of older men. They’re torn between reporting the issue to the school or directly warning the sender through the app to prevent future incidents. 1. Acknowledge Your Reaction and Emotions First, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of anger, sadness, and protectiveness in this situation. Discovering that your child is exposed to such harmful content is a gut punch, but the fact that you’re addressing it shows your strength and care as a parent. 2. Address the Root Issue with Your Child Before deciding on a course of action regarding the sender, focus on having a heart-to-heart conversation with your daughter: Start With Support : “I know you’re probably feeling overwhelmed about this, but I want you to know we’ll figure it out together.” Explain the Risks : Discuss the dangers of burner phones and ...
Read more

Mom Feels Caught in a Swirl of Confusion: How to Handle This Misunderstanding

Image
A mom shares her sadness over a misunderstanding with her 18-year-old daughter’s boyfriend and his mom. After discussing appropriate behavior at someone else’s house, her daughter misinterpreted the advice and relayed it to her boyfriend, who shared it with his mom, leading to accusations and miscommunication. The mom feels caught in a swirl of confusion and wonders how to handle the situation to restore peace. 1. Start with Empathy for All Parties This situation stems from good intentions all around: You care about teaching your daughter respect and independence. The other mom is trying to enforce boundaries in her home. The kids are navigating a serious relationship while still growing emotionally. Miscommunications are bound to happen with so many perspectives involved. 2. Revisit the Conversation with Your Daughter Your daughter likely shared your talk with her boyfriend because she felt it was helpful. However, it might not have come across as intended. Gently clarify the purpose ...
Read more