I Created Monster--My Daughter's Weight Loss Challenge

I only have myself to blame. My daughter's incessant talk about what she's going to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; what exercises she's going to do, etc. Day in and day out for the last two years.


"Just stop talking about it!" I want to scream at her but I don't. Why? Because she's only using her voice for the daily thoughts swirling around in my head and through my actions for most of her life.


Ironically it hasn't always been like this. In her tween years my daughter used to carry her curves with a PHAT (pretty hot & thick) attitude! Frankly, not only did I love it, I admired it, wishing I had the confidence to carry my own curves like that. Instead, I was always trying to "fix" my body, speaking mainly about what was wrong with me instead of what was right.


Today, I see my obsession in my daughter. She wants a flatter stomach, trimmer thighs, toned arms--a.k.a. the perfect body. And its all my fault. So far it's been the last two years that she's been working at losing weight but if she's like me--not wanting to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve the wanted results--she's got an even longer road ahead of her.


While I'm glad that my daughter, and son for that matter, have learned about the importance of healthy eating and exercise--we incorporate it in our family life--I regret my daughter's obsession with transforming her body. I see her road being just as long as mine, but I hope I'm wrong.

So what do I do at this point in her life? Encourage and support her is all. Keep healthy food in the home. Be her workout buddy when she asks. Advise her to focus on health benefits as opposed to appearance. Compliment her often, curves and all.


Any advise? How are you helping your weight loss obsessed child/teen?

LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger

Website: www.lajefferson.com

Blogs by me:

L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com

Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com

Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson

Off to the Mall

Going to the mall for the heck of it? Yep. Haven't done that in a while. Started around the time I decided that the mall was the devil while trying to improve my finances. Always luring me in with perfectly put together outfits draped over perfect figured mannequins that looked nothing like me; the worst ones being with a clearance sticker on it. In my younger days, I had to have it all! Hence the need to avoid those traps. On one end this was a good idea, however, it also cut off a pretty easy avenue for being less sedentary and I didn't realize how detrimental that was for the family.

"Detrimental" may be too harsh a word but you get the point. Rather than sitting at home watching cable or going to the movies over-indulging in buttered popcorn-- because that's the only way I enjoy it-- walking around the mall is a much better alternative.

Having matured tremendously with my finances, I no longer fear over spending. If I must make a purchase something it'll be something me or the kids have been in need of and it won't be full price.

As long as the benefit of moving outweighs the few purchases I may make, I'll leave it as on option. This will make my daughter very happy.


LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger

Website: www.lajefferson.com

Blogs by me:

L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com

Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com

Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson

The Company You Keep

"Keeping company with like-minded people is key to staying on target with ones fitness regimen."

I've read something along these lines plenty of times in one fitness magazine or another over the last several years. I've always believed it to be true but today I had sort of an epiphany on the matter.

An unexpected lunch with my ex-husband, of all people, drove the point home. It's simply something not right about eating unhealthy, fattening food in the presence of someone who knew you in your more slender days, especially when they're currently on a stringent fitness regimen and have the mouth that my ex-husband has. Therefore, given the choice of lunch venues I chose Subway; he decided on Coney Island.

"Is this a setup?" He wants to tempt me with burgers & fries while he, the more disciplined eater, gets something healthy.

No way was I going to subject myself to his eventual ridicule. Ironically, I chose the same salad that he did.

Question is: would this story have ended the same had I had lunch with my current husband, a far cry from being health conscience? Not likely. French fries would have been a definite selection.

Does this mean that I need to spend more time with my ex? Absolutely NOT! It does mean that I need to be the leader of my food decisions at all times. Just maybe, my husband will follow my lead and choose more healthily if I do.

LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger

Website: www.lajefferson.com

Blogs by me:

L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com

All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com

Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com

Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson or @skinnyfatisme