Welcome to our special new forum!

[book]

I have been thinking often this week about two separate but related topics. One, is how interesting it is that when folks want to put us down in some way for quoting or supporting Dr. Atkin's instructions and 'rules,' how they tend to accuse us of looking to Dr. Atkins as some sort of god. You have all seen it, if you have been here for any length of time.

Well, we know we are intelligent enough to know the difference between a god and a physician. (Even if some of them don't!) But look throughout history at the 'status' given to 'deliverers.' Think Martin Luther King.... Moses....

I am going to freely admit, for me Dr. Atkins and his work has meant deliverance for me. I now have it within my power to feel well, function well, and to have a much longer, more productive life than I would have enjoyed, if it had not been for my deliverance. Excess carbs had a measure of tyranny over my life, and now I am free.

Only the free can share freedom with others. This brings me to the other important topic that has been on my mind this week, the marvelous opportunity we have to share the benefits of a eating plan filled with wholesome foods with the precious 'next generation.' My goal and deepest wish is that none of my children ever need to do the Induction phase of Atkins. Now that I know that fat can only be stored in the presence of high insulin, my children are in a wonderful position to know how and why not to overeat carbs. I think this is a unique and wonderful position to be in, and I am very grateful.

This forum is now open and available for discussions of our kids, and the principles of Atkins, all facets of it- weight loss, weight maintenance, the importance of exercise, the role that supplementation can play. We will always stress the importance of a doctor's involvement in any restrictive weight loss for a child.

Please use the forum freely to share your observations and ask your questions. Obesity is rampant, even among the young, rising numbers of diabetics are a serious health crisis, and we have the opportunity to break the cycle, one link, one child at a time. Let's embrace it!

book

[JoanOH]

BRAVO, Book, for starting this wonderful new forum.

My kids are grown and on their own, but I most certainly "wish I knew then what I know now".

I've posted this frequently -- but feel it appropriate for this new forum, so will repeat myself if you don't mind.

When you are a parent, you are your child's main role model. And for you to succeed on the Atkins diet with your child watching and observing is an incredible gift. You are showing your child how to identify a problem, find a solution, set goals, work towards those goals, make a plan, stick to that plan, and obtain success. In how many instances will your child be able to use those traits in life?? Many, many times!!! And, even more importantly, they will learn that THEY can control food, not that food controls them.

Every single parent who accomplishes that, in my book, is Parent of the Year and I applaud you!

Joan J

[brats4]

Seconds...

I am a mother of 3, the two younger ones seem to be naturally leaning toward being thin and taller like dad, my older boy 9 though has inherited my height and weight tendencies. I'm not concerned about the height, short isn't awful but the weight is another issue. Although he's not heavy per say he does have a pudge that could go. As school starts this week I've pledged to myself to clean up the kids eating act. I went food shopping this week and am trying to switch from things like fruit roll ups to fruit, chips to veggie bits or pepperoni. We have even discussed tossing the sandwiches for other options (doesn't eat the darn things anyway). I am however trying to keep in mind that he is 9 and will want some "fun" stuff in his lunchbox. So I've decided the occassional treat will do in there but not everything has to be a treat. I figure the first few days he'll toss alot of stuff but when he realizes hunger kicks after throwing away lunch this will change. LOL. Tonight I noticed something too that I would say is the fault of my husband and I both. SECONDS! I have always cooked, too much in fact and second helping was a norm not only in my house but growing up too. The past 2 nights however I have made single servings for eat child figuring why have a ton of food for 3 little kids. But the real impact of my "old" habits hit when as I was putting food on my son's plate I asked if he wanted a pickle and he replied, "not with this plate, I'll have one when I have seconds." He hadn't even bit into first to know if he liked it, or if he'd be too full. It was very enlightening as to just how food dependant my home had become. Eat because....its there, your sad, happy, you can, its good...etc. I could go on. I explained to him that food was fuel and gorging didn't do any good. So from now on I'm putting them first by only making enough for first LOL!

[Shufflebutt]

What a brilliant idea Book!
I have a 16 year old son, a 7 year old daughter and a 7 year old son. We all eat the same foods at dinner. My eldest son eats the same as my DH and I for most of the rest of the day. The two youngest eat a variety of other foods as well. We have stopped almost all the sugary treats for our children.
The biggest thing I have noticed is how clear my eldest sons skin is now. He has had a acne problem for quite a while now and since we have been doing this WOE his skin has improved in a major way.
We as a family are slowly becoming more active. Whilst I was away my DH started taking the youngest two out for a bike ride each night. Since I have come back home they have even managed to get me on a bike!! Amazing since the last time I rode was when I was 15! The eldest is slowly getting more active too.
The way I see it is, if what has been happening in my family since my DH and I started this WOL is wrong then please don't tell me! We as a family are eating healthier foods and getting more active. To me this is a wonderful thing.

[book]

Joan, you give me too much credit. Actually it was Skank (Shawnee) who pointed out how many posts we were getting on the subject of diet for kids, etc and gauged the level of interest. So we mods discussed it, and Bren set it up this morning.

Brats! Good point! I agree, one plate of food is enough for anyone! Great observation on your part. When kids are growing, it only takes some changes in habits to make a big difference. Assure him he will do fine with one plate, and if he needs a snack later, some cheese or another snack will be available. My kids love the string cheese in the individual packs, and BlueBunny has excellent low sugar yogurt choices.

book

[Chameleon]

I was happilly surprised to stumble upon this forum! Thank you! :icondance

[Lady Lamond]

:joy

[Defessa]

Thanks for starting this area of the forum!! I have an interest in this also, being the mom of 5 children--3 teens and 3 in elem school.

[brats4]

Hey everyone to all of you moms and dads I just thought I would say courtesy of our children (If you'll allow me to speak for them). THANK YOU FOR CLEANING MY ROOM, PET CAGE, MEALS, LAUNDRY and SCRAPING MY HALF DRIED TOOTHPASTE OFF THE BATHROOM COUNTER! Now that that is off my chest, guess you can tell its been one of those mornings LOL. This week tried something new in the lunch box no main course (e.g sandwich, etc) My son enjoyed it immensely said that the odds and ends mostly healthy were good and gave him choices.