Son feels chubby and wants to work on losing weight

[Anonymous]

Kids (especially boys) get "chubby" (although this really doesn't even sound chubby) starting around 4th grade because their height remains steady. Don't worry though, 6th-7th grade then they suddenly make up for lost time in the height department and it all levels out again.

[Anonymous]

I was chubby at that age and hated it. My aunt would make comments that I was chubby and I felt like a round ball. So I started running every day to the end of the block and back, and then increased the distance. This regulated my appetite. I think I was snacking a lot unknowingly. It’s great you DS trusts you enough to ask you for help—you sound like a great mom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was chubby at that age and hated it. My aunt would make comments that I was chubby and I felt like a round ball. So I started running every day to the end of the block and back, and then increased the distance. This regulated my appetite. I think I was snacking a lot unknowingly. It’s great you DS trusts you enough to ask you for help—you sound like a great mom!

Oh and I eventually lost that baby fat and felt great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got chubby at 8 and did not start leaning out until 13. He also definitely did not ask for help losing.

If he did, I would have done this. 1 I would have told him that we focus on health and strength, not on weight. That I think he's perfect and doesn't need to look any different but that if he wants to get healthier I would help him.

I would have told him that he doesn't need exercise in a gym, he needs to be active and play. So no lifting weights, but yes to hikes and shooting hoops with the family.

For food I would say that he needs to honor his hunger. Seconds are okay. But snack on veggies and hummus not goldfish between meals. And swap out some of the ingredients in main meals for healthier ones. Quesadillas can have Whole grain tortillas, less cheese, more veggies inside. You can make brown rice and add veggies to the side dish. You can make whole wheat pasta and have him help you make a sauce with shredded zucchini mixed in. Maybe breakfast is yogurt with berries and a little granola instead of a bagel with cream cheese. So swap but tell him that depriving himself will not help him.

This is excellent advice.

[Anonymous]

Boys go through a stage of gaining weight then growing taller.

I'd do the 5K thing for fun not to lose weight.

[Anonymous]

Work on Presidential Fitness challenge or 7 minute workout, and cut junk food and junk drinks. Weight will take care of itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was chubby at that age and hated it. My aunt would make comments that I was chubby and I felt like a round ball. So I started running every day to the end of the block and back, and then increased the distance. This regulated my appetite. I think I was snacking a lot unknowingly. It’s great you DS trusts you enough to ask you for help—you sound like a great mom!

Thank you for sharing that experience ! And for the very kind comment