a childs weight gain

April - posted on 02/05/2009

keep her moving, excerise reduces stress, if she seems stressed gether to go outside, play with friends, a sport she likes, she will focus on that and not food. Talk to her ask her why she feels stressed, whats on her mind she is 7 but you will be surprised what they will tell you. She might not know what is causing her stress but talking to her will also keep her mind of  eating and it helps build a very strong bond with you so that when she does know what is bugging her she will come talk to you instead of eating.

I am an emotional eater, My weight goes up and down. It is a constant struggle and most of the time I don't realize that am I eating my problems away until I can't breathe cause I have ate so much. There have been times I eat until I get sick. There are also times that I go so long without eating that my body will start working against me. I get headaches, dizzy, stomach cramps, heartburn, cold sweats, etc. I had an eating disorder when I was younger it was much different than what I am dealing with now but they both are based on the fact that I feel like my life is out of control and that there is nothing I can do to change it. Food is one thing that I can control how much or how little I eat. It gives me comfort to be able to control something in my life.  I don't eat cause I am hungry or that the food taste good  i just know that I am eating or not eating and  that I feel better. After I eat alot or nothing at all I start feeling quilty and i get upset cause I am hurting myself and then it starts over again. It is a cycle that never ends.

I have never been through any treatment for this and I am by no means a doctor or expert in this area. I have talked to other people about it, poetry is my outlet I try to put my attention into that instead of food, I have stopped keeping  alot of food in the house, got rid of the junk food and replaced it with healthier things, I got a dog that I trained somewhat and I take him for walks , my son is playing basketball so I have been able to get back into a sport that I love, my son is my world  he keeps me active and busy, I have found that the more I focus on things that I love and want to do that I am less stressed and I am not so worried about controling the food that I eat.  You will always have stress in your life its all in how you choose to deal with it.  I have opened up to some friends and family about my problem and they seem to understand and  try to keep me on the right path. It is really helpful to have that support from people you love. I think without that I would never have made it this far with my problem.

I am sorry this went on for so long .I hope that this helps some.

Joanne - posted on 02/05/2009

yeah at first i thought she was sneaking food but i keep everytihng where only i can get at it.. only thing she has access to is fruit and vegatables at all times...she is active but she can be move active. it dont help either when she 7 and in early puberty her weight has been a probelm but her height is out rageous she stands 4'10"

Tammy - posted on 02/04/2009

She's probably sneaking food.  Stop focusing on food and get her moving with activities.  Exercise is great stress relief.  My daughter struggled with emotional eating and it takes awhile to sort out what is truely causing it.