Mamavation Monday: Childhood Obesity

It is not easy to be an overweight adult. We constantly compare ourselves to others, pressure ourselves into doing things our body hates (like exercise), and have clothes in our closets in 5 different sizes. But how difficult is it to be an overweight child? I know many of us can share stories of shame and embarrassment from our school years. I have spent years trying to put it behind me and I am not sure if I actually succeeded. What can we do as parents to make sure our children healthier happier life?

This Mamavation TV topic has been inspired by a member of our community.

Wendy: Since I’ve struggled with weight my entire life, it hurts me to see my daughter going down the same path. The biggest difference is that my mom never tried to help me, and I am making being healthy a priority for myself and my family. I have always felt that I’ve failed my children in a lot of way by not instilling healthy values in them from the beginning. I realize now that I was just parenting much like my Mom did with all fried and comfort foods, lots of baking, food as rewards, and little to no exercise. Most of that has changed: I make clean eating and exercise an important part of our life- and fun, too! There have been some struggles, but our family as a whole is doing pretty well. One of the biggest challenges for me is gettng my teenage daughter to change – she wants to, but making those changes are difficult for her. I’m looking forward to getting more advice.

Special Guest: Joy Feldman (@SunniChild)

Joy Feldman received her undergraduate and graduate training from the University of Pennsylvania, pursued her law degree from the University of Miami, and later went on to receive her certificate and advanced training in biochemical nutritional balancing science. Joy is now an instructor/teacher of Nutritional Balancing Science where she educates new practitioners (e.g. physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists and mid-level providers) on interpretation of hair charts, lends guidance on nutritional protocols, assists in teaching lifestyle changes, and explains how to recommend supplements based on interpretation of each individual’s biochemistry. After beginning her private practice in nutritional balancing science, Joy was asked by some of her clients to put together a book, including the recipes for this program. Joyful Cooking in the Pursuit of Good Health, her first book has recently been updated and revised. Joy also has a children’s book, Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?, teaching children “they are what they eat”.

Currently, residing in Rhode Island with her husband, Michael, an Orthopedic Surgeon, she has two lovely children and one funny Springer Spaniel.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Joy Feldman. Two blogging carnival participants will each receive Is Your Hair Made of Donuts book. To be eligible inlcude the following disclmber and link back to Mamavation website. “This post is sponsored by Joy Feldman and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post. Link up your post here.

WELCOME
Welcome Shawn Ann (@ShawnAnn), Amy (@spotonwellness), and Pepper (@unicornbeauty) to Mamavation. We can’t wait to learn more about you!

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

“Is your Hair Made of Donuts?” book (2 winners)

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

Hit the Linky
Tweet out this message “Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. This week sponsored by @SunniChild http://bit.ly/LksWLo Join us 4 child obesity talk” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):
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Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
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