anderson02

I read that you guys are a couple hours apart. What if you sprung for a cheap treadmill and then planned to train for a family 5k walk somewhere between your locations. She can even bring the baby in a stroller. That way she not only has the tool (treadmill) but something to look forward to (time with you guys) and a goal (5K) to work towards.

montanacricket

I've been in her shoes...it took me finally making the hard choice to find the time to schedule exercise even if it IS 4:30 in the morning!!!

I agree with all of this...I came from a "clean your plate" family and was the youngest of 4 and I think had mom and dad left me the heck alone on my "picky" eating, that I probably wouldn't be struggling to the degree I am. Not only was it "clean your plate" but it was "clean your plate or I'll give you more and you will SIT there until you FINISH it all". I know that had a lot to do with my reward/punishment mentality when it comes to food.




This is a fabulous idea!!! Does she have a really high quality jogging type stroller for the little one?

RunbikeSki

I really have nothing to add except admiration for all of your outstanding ideas! You all are speaking from the heart and from experience and have given all of us viewers such great ideas! Thanks a bunch (of bananas, that is! )

waynegretzky

Thank you for the ideas She doesn't get out of the house much as she also babysits two other children besides her own daughter now. It is very tough to get down there every week for us.

Another problem is she doesn't really have a supportive partner/spouse. He will bring home junk food regardless.

waynegretzky

Some great thoughts there Erinn, thank you. When she is here she struggles as we "have nothing in the fridge". She hates cooking too so that makes it even harder for her.

Since we have gone healthy, there are no unhealthy foods in our house period!! No treats, no cookies, no chocolates! Of course we are still losing weight too so that would not be good!

I am really counting on leading by example and talking about it lots too. Thank you so much for your help.

waynegretzky

I have been checking out now for a decent used treadmill. I am thinking that she shows interest, i might as well spend 150 dollars or so and try.

The only thing is that i have some negativity towards buying her more stuff. She has destroyed anything we have given her.... cars, computers, lawn chairs, so i am trying to get over that and tell myself that i can't put a price on good health. Thank you very much for your help.

waynegretzky

Yes she does but sadly laziness always wins over If she can't drive in her car, she doesn't go.

waynegretzky

Well said and yes i admire it also!! So much support it is outstanding!! Thank you very much to everyone

EMS1981

Congrats on all your weight loss. I truly believe that an individual changes when they are ready to do it. If you read through many of the posts in the forums you'll find that people took initiative when something finally clicked inside themselves. However, like many others here I do agree that you can encourage family activities but please don't be like my parents were with me and be critical. I hope your daughter comes around and sees how much healthier her parents are becoming and realizes that she should change for herself. Good luck!

almeeker

You're welcome, but I can't take the credit for those ideas. Most of those things are what my parents did for me. One year for Christmas they bought us a family pass to the Community Rec Center, and we've renewed it ever since. The kids love that place. My mom also paid for water baby classes for our kids, and now they are all on the swim club. One year for my birthday they bought me a stationary bike, and they've loaned me countless workout DVD's, usually I'm not allowed to borrow them until my folks can do the whole thing, but I'm a patient woman (well sort of). I will say the Wii Fit Plus was my husband's idea, and personally I love it. It's fun and it really doesn't feel like working out, it feels like playing. It was also an "ah-ha" moment for me when it told me on Christmas morning that I weighed twice what I should. And on treadmills, be prepared to spend a little extra. We actually ended up with an elliptical, because the treadmill I liked cost 3 times more than the elliptical that felt "just right". You might find a used one for a reasonable price, but don't buy anything until you've given it a test run. You should have seen me out shopping for the elliptical, I wore workout clothes and I bet I went 10 miles that day. I was so tired and sweaty at the end, but it was worth it. I love our elliptical, and because I love it, I use it - almost every day. Good luck, it takes time and dedication to motivate someone else.

Another thing that motivated me to get in better shape was a friend of mine. She was like me, in her 40's, chubby and not too worried about it. And then all of a sudden she heard a voice in her head that said "Why don't you run a 5K?". It's a long story, but she thinks it was the angel of another friend that had recently died of breast cancer. So she looked up how to train for a 5K and got started. She consequently dragged all her co-workers with her. That was 2 years ago, and now she's planning to run the New York Marathon this fall. And all the co-workers are now a running team and I think they call themselves "Losing It", or something. They've all lost weight and look fantastic. So I figured if they can do it, so can I.

So how do you feel about running a 5K?