Topic : 06/08 Deadly Eating

Hello, 

Thanks for your encouragemnent to Jazmyn.  Yes, she is a great person.    

However, her appearance and her personality are not at issue, her health is. 

About the pointing fingers at her, however, you couldn't be further from the truth.  I hope you take the time to read my posts.  They will help you better understand the situation with all of us. 

The reason Jazmyn's weight is as issue is because at age 11, she has crossed the 200 lb. mark and is in danger of health complications no child should be saddled with and it puts her future at risk.  

Although her mother and I are overweight as well, and need to lose weight for health reasons too, neither one of us crossed the 200 lb. mark until we were well into our adult years and had become mothers ourselves.   As a child, Jazmyn's weight problem must be controlled otherwise her adult years will see her much heavier than we are, at least as much as 600 pounds or more!  

Paul, 

Look this is a very tough road you have ahead, as you already know, but just remember this saying "Diamonds are made under pressure!"  I wish you the best of luck young man, I to have been very over weight at 350 pounds.  I have, with the help of Dr. Phil's Book, but I have become permanently disabled.  And because of my disability, which is RSD a pain syndrome, which does not allow me to really walk around good.  When I do walk it is with a walker or crutches, and I am in constant pain.  So do to this depression, I have gained back about 35 to 40 pounds and feel helpless.  If you would like to correspond with me via email I would be glad to help you and maybe we can help each other through this.  My email address is brenden@proofofstock.com 

Hello, 

Your compassion shows through your note.  I can see that you understand first hand what we are going through.  Thank you for your prayers and your support. 

Perhaps you too can be motivated, as a young mother, to begin your journey to health for your son's sake as well as your own...there is such a rich life waiting for you.  My obesity has caused the early onset of arthritis in both my knees.  There is so much I used to love to do that now is beyond my ability to do.  If I were younger, I would do whatever it takes to shed the extra pounds and prevent the loss of activities that brought me so much joy.  In that way, it's too late for me but it's not too late for you.  I will pray for you regularly. You have a beautiful and lovely spirit.  Don't let anything or anyone stop you from soaring like an eagle! 

God bless you! 

Joan 

Hi Joan and Vicki,  

I saw the show and knew exactly what Vicki was going through. I too am a single mom with an over weight 12 yr old son. I don't have a lot of advice to give, just some tips that might make things a little easier for Vicki because of her busy schedule.  I also have my son seeing a pediatric dietition, so he is on a balanced eating plan (1800 calories a day). I have also enrolled him in an excercise program that he does for 45 minutes twice a week. So far he has lost 8 pounds in the course of a month. Unfortunately my mom passed away 5 yrs ago, but I know if she were here, she would be saying the same things your mom is saying.  

Here are some things that I do on the weekends  to make my life easier during the week,  and to make sure he stays on his eating plan.  I peel and section about 6 oranges and put them in snack size zip lock baggies and keep them in the refrigerator. I put a half of a sectioned orange in each baggie, it fits perfect, and is a perfect serving size. With 6 oranges, you get 12 servings.  

I rinse off grapes and carrots and put them in individual snack size zip lock baggies too (about 15 to 20 per serving).  I try to buy as many kid friendly vegetables and rinse and cut them up in bite size pieces and put them in the snack size baggies as well. The ones that he prefers is red peppers (they are sweeter then green), baby carrots and celery. I usually cut the peppers and celery in sticks. Then I use Light Hidden Valley Ranch sour cream dip when we wants to snack on the veggies. I keep that in a container in the refridgerator.  I also buy skim string cheese, and let him have that with a fruit after school for a snack.  Whenever I buy watermelon or any kind of melon. I cut it up in bite size pieces and either put it in the serving size baggies, or in a container in the refridgerator depending on how much time I have.  It really makes my life easier during the week when I'm in a hurry.  

I also keep a basket of already rinsed off fruit on the kitchen counter. I have found that as long as all he has to do is grab it, open it and eat it, then he won't ask me for unhealthy snacks that he can simply open and eat, like chips or cookies.  There are times that I let him have chips and cookies, but I choose the more healthier ones, like baked chips and low calorie cookies, but I don't keep them in the house, so the only time he has access to them is when we go out.  I use my slow cooker a lot during the week so when I get home, dinner is finished and there is not much clean up. It's a good investment because you can find a lot of healthy slow cooker recipes online. I also found a lot of kid friendly fish recipes that are quick and easy.  I can send you some of the recipes if you want them. My email address is diane731@comcast.net  

It takes time and effort to get a child at that age to stick to a good balanced eating plan, and get them on a schedule to make sure they are getting proper excercise, but it can be done.  I personally never thought I would be able to get my son to eat fish, but the recipes that I have found are great!  I found a lot of them at www.allrecipes.com You can find good recipes there and make them low calorie just by making some changes in the ingredients.   

Just by having my son on this eating plan, me and my 16 yr old daughter have lost weight too.  The key is to just be patient and make some small changes around the house. I'm sure the people that Dr. Phil has set you up with will have a good plan for your daughter. I just hope some of these tips help with your busy schedule. Please don't hessitate to email me if there is anything I can help you with. I will be more then happy to.  You have a beautiful daughter, and once she starts to lose a few pounds, she will get so excited and motivated that it will make things a little easier. You have been blessed with a beautiful daughter and a wonderful mom who loves the both of you very much, so please cherish the time you have together, you'll be glad you did.  

Sincerely, 

Diane 

Jazmyn (which is a lovely name ,by the way)...Has a future if the wieght is controlled now. She is such a beautiful, spirited young lady that needs a helping hand!...While mom and grandma have some weight issues or their own, they're not to the point that lil' Jazmyn would be if some steps are taken now..before her joints turn bad and she can't run and play like other childern. In this day and age kids do not need the added peer pressure of ridicule. 

See seems to be a wonderful little lady....Mom & Grandma...help her....you can... 

Carmen 

Paul I just wanted to say that I think you are so brave for coming on the show, I have been fighting with weight my whole life and it is a hard battle and I know you can do it.  I have faith in you, you are a strong person, just let that strong person show through and you will be fine.  The first step has been taken by you now you just have to go with it...and I know you can do it.  If you ever need a friend to chat with or someone just to give you support in a hard time email me LynKnst@aol.com . Best of luck to you Paul I know you can beat this. Life is an adventure, let the adventure begin. 

Paul,  

I live in the same town as you, I have seen you a lot when I use to work at the theater, And we have mutual friends.  

I just wanted to tell you my thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay Strong. 

Teresa 

As an ex-smoker (eight years) I can tell you it is an addiction and when you smell a cigarette even though you know it is disgusting, the old temptation is there.  Stay away from people and places were you are likely to encounter smoking, this is possible. 

Eating disorders are far worse, I have food addictions as well, if you have one addiction, you should be able to empathize with the others, they are all basically the same, we crave the substance whatever it is and feel physically and/or emotionally ill without it.  Food cannot be avoided like smoking.  That's the difference. 

Throw away the cigarettes and picture your lungs getting cleaning instead of the black mess they are now.  I still picture that myself when tempted to smoke.  Smoking makes your clothes and house stink, your hair stinks.  I'm not insulting you, I'm giving you things to tell yourself.  Good Luck, you're worth giving your lungs a break. 

Now if I could just quit all the extra eating.