Former Overweight Moms Talk on Changing Their Family’s Lifestyle

These days, we hear a lot about how tough it is to get kids out of the house, away from high-tech gismos and gadgets, and playing outdoors. Unlike previous generations, it is almost impossible to get kids jazzed about donning roller skates, riding a bicycle, or even taking a nature hike. As a result, the obesity rate has more than doubled among American preschoolers and adolescents, and tripled in American children ages 6 to 11 (Mayo Clinic, February 24, 2006). But there is hope! We asked a dozen TRIMSPA moms, who were between 35 and 80 pounds overweight just one year ago, to share how their family’s eating and exercise habits have been successfully redirected since they lost their weight. By incorporating some of their simple and fun techniques, you too can influence good eating habits and an active lifestyle in your children.
Breaking old habits and replacing them with new, healthy habits – Our moms know first-hand the hardships of being overweight. They recognized that they had to change their own behavior toward food and exercise before they could serve as positive role models for their children.
“If a home is stocked with poor food choices such as junk food, the kids will eat it because it's readily available,” said Alison Devers, a mother of 5 who has lost 69 pounds since January 2005. “Parents and guardians decide what food will be on the table and in the kitchen,” said Devers.

Now a certified personal trainer, Devers’ personal transformation journey led to a profound awakening and a desire to make a difference in what she calls the “national obesity epidemic.” Today, she volunteers as a coach for a local Girls Cross Country Team and promotes healthy values in adolescents.

Some healthy eating and snack tips shared include:
• Have fruits and veggies readily available as snacks. Pre-cut and bag them for little hands to easily grab.
• Don’t stock soda and beverages high in sugar – out of sight, out of mind.
• Pack your child’s lunch; this helps you control what they eat. For young children, make foods fun by packaging them with stickers and fun little notes.
• Prepare and serve healthy, nutritious meals at home. If your younger child needs encouragement with his/her veggies, use phrases like, “Popeye eats spinach to stay strong,” or “Bugs Bunny eats carrots to hop faster.”
• Don’t use food as a reward. Instead, treat them to a movie or play their favorite game with them. If they want or need a snack, have pretzels or a fruit cup ready for them.
• Don’t force a child to finish all the food on his/her plate. Teach children to eat only until they are full. This helps prevent overeating and eliminates the sense of guilt for not finishing their plate.
• Avoid using phrases such as, “Clean your plate or no dessert,” or “There are starving children in the world, so finish your dinner.”

Highly impressionable, children learn by example and emulate what they are exposed to – good, bad, or indifferent. Suzie Esche-Donner, an Illinois mother of 4 girls, witnessed this truth first-hand. “…Watching them [kids] adapt to my way of eating and doing things really opened my eyes as to how much kids really do learn from example,” said Suzie, proudly adding, “My kids went from eating junk food to asking for fruit, yogurt, and veggies.”

Just over 1-year and 80 pounds ago, to spare her kids embarrassment or from being teased about having a fat mom, Suzie would stay in the family car while they played sports. One day, she simply decided it was time to change – and those changes soon rubbed off on her kids. Suzie recalled, “I switched from chips and cookies, to fruit and veggies; low and behold, so did they. We weeded out the pop and drank flavored waters, which they liked just as well.” She soon found, to her surprise, that once these things were no longer kept in the house, neither she nor the girls craved them.

New York resident Penney Genovese chimed in, “…The way you are brought up has a big effect on the way you eat and exercise.” Since losing 84 pounds (since January 2005), the mother of 3 has become more active and involved with her kids. By her own admission, she is leading by example. Before her weight loss, she couldn’t even fit on the slide, much less go down it. Today Penny exclaimed, “My kids sit on my lap going down the slide!”

Family fun, exercising with your kids – The importance of physical activity, for adults and children alike, is at an all time high. Despite what you may think, vying for a child’s attention is easy as long as you make it fun.

“My kids love to workout with me,” agreed Cynthia Restauri, the professional mother of 2 who has shed more than 36 pounds (since January 2005). For Restauri and the others in the group, their families have committed to spending more time doing physical activities together such as taking a hike, riding bikes or playing ball.

When you engage in physical activities as a family, remember that wide age and ability ranges exist. Some suggestions for keeping everyone involved and having fun include:
• Include at least one activity that will make each child feel successful, while other activities can act to stretch their abilities.
• Designate “play dates.” For example, make every Tuesday a walk date by going for a walk after dinner. If the weather is bad, substitute an in-door activity such as a sit-up or jumping jack contest.
• Emphasize the importance of having fun and learning something new about yourself or your abilities. Make sure your child feels like they are accomplishing something grand and making you proud. Stress that your activity together is not about “winning,” it is about having fun.
• Use positive reinforcement and encouraging phrase like, “Good job,” or “Nice hit.”
• When you can, spend time outdoors. If you are busy, encourage your child to go outside and play with friends. If your neighborhood lacks kids in the age group of your child, encourage your child to jump rope, hop scotch, even wash exterior windows, or garden. The point is to keep moving!

Building healthy habits now with your children is great on so many levels. More important, they might just carry over into their adulthood and used with their own families. This is a tough realization for Suzie Esche-Donner, who admitted, “It’s pretty sad when you have a 14-year old that never saw a public swimming pool or beach, other than on T.V.

Those are the things you can never gain back.” Suzie clearly recognizes what she missed out on by being an overweight and sedentary mom for so many years. “My 14-year old will never have experienced the quality of life that my 6 year old will.” But all agree that change, even when it comes later in life, is better than never.

*All of the women mentioned within are available for interviews, and high rez photos are available upon request.

Contact Information:
Chrissy Kulig
Goen Technologies Corporation
35 Melanie Lane
Whippany, NJ 07981
973-267-4400 ext. 3361, or chrissy.kulig@goengroup.com
www.TRIMSPA.com