Low priority but still a concern: my kids are going to gain weight

[Anonymous]

I am totally on board with social distancing and I know this is not important right now and many families are worried about having enough food during this time. But it's an anonymous board and we all have our concerns, right? My kids always hover at the top end of a healthy weight. We manage it by staying in active sports and adding lots of fruits and veggies to our diets. But the reality is that COVID means all our normal healthy habits are difficult. We can take walks and ride bikes, but my kids are already over that (especially the walks) and during the week I need to work 40+ hours a week from home, so I can't supervise that much. Fresh fruit is hard to keep in the house without extra trips to the store, which we of course aren't taking (we go 1x a week and get as much fresh stuff as we can). I am even considering caving and getting a trampoline just to give them an easy way to get exercise. I hope this falls under the "won't matter in a year" category of concerns, but I am stressed about keeping them healthy. Anyone relate?

[Anonymous]

I am worried about me, rather than the kids, in this context. But yes- it feels both shallow and serious. On one hand, people are dying and getting laid off and that’s worse. OTOH, this disease rams home that underlying conditions, many of which are caused by obesity, are dangerous and we should all redouble our efforts to stay healthy.

No solution here, just same boat. And please don’t get an outdoor trampoline- it’s a terrible time for an ER trip!

[Anonymous]

Some of you are idiots. Kids can play outside. They can run. Walk ride bides. They just need to keep distance. You can also sldo exercises inside!

[Anonymous]

Now that dh is home all the time, chips are always on the grocery list. I rarely eat chips, but dd10 does every chance she gets. As long as they aren’t in the house, she doesn’t want them. When they are in the house, she always wants them. I’m constantly having to police the d@mn chips because dh has to have them for some reason.

Normally in the spring dd would be getting tons of exercise every day, between soccer, swimming, and girls on the run. At best now we go out for a long walk or short run. It’s not enough to counteract the chip problem and 23 hours of sedentary living.

[Anonymous]

Same boat. We are passing the time with a lot of baking. Trying to make things with lower sugar but still. Seems like we eat more and more and move less.

[Anonymous]

You can’t outrun a fork. Adjust your kids’ calories to fit their new activity levels.

[Anonymous]

We're all going to gain the covid 15.

[Anonymous]

We’ve cut down on all of our eating by making up plates at dinner time and immediately putting any extra food away...no seconds available. Then we eat the leftovers for lunch.

[Anonymous]

Why can’t they stay active? I’m doing online power yoga every day, plus running every afternoon. We also have free weights in the garage. Kids can still play outdoors every day. Have them help with yard work. Walk the dog. Ride bikes. Go for hikes. There is no reason to be sedentary right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're all going to gain the covid 15.

+100


My kids usually gain a little over summer. Now...we have a 5 month+ break... so I am sure by the end of it they will be chunkier. Yes, they ride bikes and walk, but that can't compare to the exercise & disciplined routine that school and sports provide.

[Anonymous]

I’m just glad I’m not so risk averse that I avoided getting a trampoline. If you want to come over to the dark side, check out springless trampolines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t they stay active? I’m doing online power yoga every day, plus running every afternoon. We also have free weights in the garage. Kids can still play outdoors every day. Have them help with yard work. Walk the dog. Ride bikes. Go for hikes. There is no reason to be sedentary right now.

nope.
Our hiking trails are closed.
Our dog is a monster lab who will pull them to the ground.
Yard work, yes, the do it, but it isn't particularly calorie burning?
Free weights aren't either
My kids are 9 and 12. What will they play outdoors? And btw playing is wonderful, but it isn't exercise.
Bottom line --there will be weight gain. The key is to moderate food intake.

[Anonymous]

I'm a 59 year old woman and it is tough to lose weight at my age but I've already lost weight.

No snacking.
Eat 3 meals a day.
Eat unprocessed.
Move.
Three days a week I'm walking 4 miles a day.
I've never once been hungry.

Again, if a 59 year old woman can lose weight during this time there is no reason why an active child should gain weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are idiots. Kids can play outside. They can run. Walk ride bides. They just need to keep distance. You can also sldo exercises inside!

And you are so smart and such a nice person!

[Anonymous]

Get them out walking, riding their bikes, running around the block.

Cut down on processed carbs and refined sugar.