Community » Motivation » FitClick Friends » New to website... Need motivation for myself and my daughter.

I'm Canadian, so not sure if there's a US version of it.

I'm working with my 8 year old daughter at helping her understand a balanced diet and what healthy food choices are.

What we ahve done, and has gotten her energized and into the game, is create a "My Food Guide" for her. The Canadian Food Guide can be customized to an age and sex - so she has a print out of the quantity by food group and serving sizes that a girl her age should be targetting. We have then created a log where as she eats something she categorizes and if she's within her recommended intake of a balanced diet she gets a check mark. (We've actually created 3 categories - Excellent (100%), Good (1 - 3 "oops'" and Can do better (4 or more "oops'". A check mark is given to the Excellent and Good.) At the end of the month if she has all Excellent - she gets to buy 2 things at the dollar store. If it's a mix between Excellent and Good she can buy 1 thing at the dollar store.

This game has been great for her... she has a better understanding of what consists of a balanced diet. Is consciously choosing to make better decisions... and the little prize at the end is her reward for doing the right thing.

I also have an over weight son. We have gone to a class at the Y called Shape Down. He was excited for about two weeks and then it stopped. I am not consistant which makes it hard for him. I am also not the best role model. I will be glad to support you and could use the same support since I just joined yesterday. I think being consistant and allowing small treats might be key to their success. I remember my mom had me on Weight Watchers when I was 10 and at my birthday she gave me a slice of bread. That was wrong. I still get mad when I think about it. A cup cake would have been nice. That is what I mean about treats maybe once a week. Hope this helps.