An introduction to this forum. Introduce the members on this board that are family. A topic starter as to what is a common theme in your immediate family history/concern. A place to post what direction you would like to see this forum take. And an invitation to post family oriented challenges.

I think this new forum is a great idea. We can share things here about our families and how they are supporting our weight-loss efforts.

My wonderful wife Fayrda has always been supportive. She herself needs to lose about 60 pounds. We have two sons - Russell is 16 and Geordan is 14. Russell is about 25 pounds overweight and Geordan is only about 10 pounds overweight.

Recently, Fayrda said that she was tired of us 'playing around' with getting healthy. We have not always been consistent with wise food choices. Fayrda has long been intriqued with the Jenny Craig and NutriSystem commercials on TV. The idea of a pre-packaged, portion controlled meals that are healthy appealed to her. The cost of these programs did not. My wonderful wife got the idea to start purchasing similar meals at the grocery store last weekend. We bought enough for each of us to have a meal at diinner time for about the next two weeks. We bought some Lean Cuisine meals and some Healthy choice meals. Each meal averages out to about $2.00 each. Fayrda and the boys are using Slim-fast shakes and snacks for breakfast, but I have decided to just have my usual nonfat yogurt, fruit, and low-fat cereal bar for breakfast. We will still cook a healthy meal on Sundays, but the rest of the week's dinners will be the pre-packaged ones. They are very good and low in calories (500-600 per meal) and feature lean meats and whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat pasta. We add a salad and skim milk and they are very satisfying. Fayrda wants to try this only for a few weeks, then probably go back to cooking healthy meals for dinner each day. Who knows, though, we may like this and stick with it for a longer period.

We are trying to get to the pool club more often, but things like the flu, car problems, doctor visits, and other valid reasons have been preventing that lately.
Lord willing, we are planning to go tonight. I need the water aerobics in the pool to help with my back problems as well as all the other benefits of exercise.

I am determined because I turn 49 this year in March and do not want to be fat and fifty. My wonderful wife is determined because she does turn 50 this year in June. We want to stay healthy and be around a long time for eachother and our sons, and honor the Lord with wise choices.

I cherish your input, Dave and family!
When weight loss is a family issue as it is in your case, it must be tackled with unison.
Fayrda is wise to know this plan is only a kick start to meals in the home that has to be cooked rather than bought.
DH suggested I try nutria system meals for 4 weeks, but that will only do me and I still have to cook for the whole family which brings temptations. I am told by someone the pre-package meals from them are only 900 calories daily which we all know is not realistic.
I think it is wonderful that the family gathers together to overcome either obesity issues or potential overweight issues. You have given me direction in this forum that I started without having a clue as to where I would take it. :loll:

I have to say, I will never touch a frozen meal. MIL seems to prefer them because it is something that looks preferable to her. Her taste buds are gone. But I think as a family these meals will not satisfy and will not be a long term solution. As Fayrda continues to work, as you go on extended hours and as the boys continue to get used to less and less family meals gathered together, I would say that is the main issue to address. It sounds like easy, pre-packaged meals are indeed a solution for now!
Who is the primary cook? Can the boys start a once a week responsibility for a meal? What new lean recipes has the family adapted? Can meals be cut back in portion so that whatever the dish, only a certain amount would be available for the four?
Just tossing out ideas and hoping to find solutions for your family.

Great posting DavEdsel. Very inspiring. Both me and my husband are in the same boat together as well.I would like to lose a good 30 pounds. And just like you there has been some valid excuses to not working out. My current one..I have this nasty head cold and sore throat that started two days ago..and has really knocked me good. So another week without working out..though I guess it if were a choice between working out and Breathing..I would chose being able to breath first. Our big thing lately is actually eating at home. We are always on the go and tend to get a "quick bite to eat"..which is never a healthy thing! So I have been trying to cook more..use the crock pot more as well since sometimes we all come home at the same time..and are all too hungry to cook up a meal..and those take out menu's are so enticing some times haha! I am also hoping once the warmer weather comes my evening walks will also return back into the busy lifestyle. So that's about it for us.

Leslee, that eating at home and the waiting for Spring is so familiar!
Dh and MIL are skinny though so as a family unit I am on my own to overcome. Hopefully this will be a space to exchange ideas and support as a whole. Leslee, I know your kids are young. Is their weight O.K.?

Dear Editor, during the week Fayrda is the primary cook and start dinner, and I usually help finish and serve when I get home from work. On the weekends, I take the role of primary cook with Fayrda helping me. Both boys can and do help with the cooking sometimes.

I don't think this pre-packaged meal solution is for long-term, but it has been a good way to get us used to eating smaller meals and be satisfied with less food.

Good news, Dave. The family is tag-teaming! Tell them all that is what they are doing in this weight loss effort. I agree with you that the smaller porions is something that we need to introduce ourselves to.

Editor, :thanks: for starting this forum.

I'm excited about doing this together. Hubby and I both have about 70 lbs. to lose (give or take a few). We have wanted to do this for so long. I'm just tired of talking about it and want to do it.

My dd in college struggles with about 20 pounds extra weight but mostly due to college food (highly processed) she doesn't have much choice. She dorms several states away from us. She loses it when she gets home in summer though. Our 17 year old son as I've posted somewhere here before is 6 foot 5 and 197 pounds. Not a fat cell on his body. He does have slightly elevated blood pressure though and I am concerned since both hubby and I's family histories have lots of heart and cholesterol issues. 3 year old son is just right on target but his primary diet consists of cheese. He for some reason hates all meats but occasionally will have a slice of turkey bacon or chicken nuggets. He likes apples and yogurt, bagels and scrambled eggs. I have a terrible time getting him to eat anything else or even trying it. I usually have to chase him around the house with a spoonful of something if its new. He locks up his little jaws like no one I've ever seen. He once held a mouthful of oatmeal for 3 and a half hours in his mouth and refused to swallow it. Must get his stubborness from his daddy. :lol:

This will definitely be a challenge as I am faced with picky eaters but with the Lords help we're gonna do it. I am tryin to see if hubby has enough money this payday to purchase Biggest Loser exercise DVD we can do together. Its been years since we have exercised together. Son 17 works out with cardio and weight lifts. I do good carrying groceries from car (extent of Faiths weight training). 3 year old never sits still :) no problem there, and dd at college works out at campus gym when time permits.

So there you have it. I watched that guy on Biggest Loser huffin and puffin last night and my heart went out to him, I feel the same way but I was encouraged by how quickly he was able to get in better health and manage the workout. I :ph43r: our family can get :health: too.

:hug:
Faith

As always, Faith you are an interesting read. :goodjob:
Your elder son sounds like my dreams come true. Your daughter sounds like the freshmen 10 syndrome. Your little one sounds like a typical boy who will be a man someday. :)
The key here is mom and dad joining forces together not only to lose weight, but to teach the family healthy choices.
I am so excited Mr. Faith might be joining us--even if it is through your posts for him.
What an exciting concept to exercise together! :cool:
Perhaps we can motivate you and our other families with a special spot at the Gym forum for family exercise? I know you haven't joined the Gym yet, but this initial post on this forum is all about creating family help and accessibility on the Grace Today forum.
O.K., we are only a thought or two away from building this forum up right now.All thoughts and ideas and feedback will be appreciated!

Editor,
Actually I had posted in gym a few times but that was before Christmas. I was highly motivated cause I didn't want to go home and have dear Mother in law tell me how much weight I'd gained at Christmas time. Does anyone here ever wonder why we let ourselves go with our weight til we don't much respect ourselves and let others disrespect us too.

I have become quite the :couch: but I have to really push myself when it comes to exercising. When I was thirty I had alot of strange medical problems and the doctors believed it was MS. It was really bad for a few months then symptoms went away. I visited neurologist and had MRI and they said although I had alot of the symptoms it hadn't shown up yet on tests. I guess sometimes it takes several years to show. Anyhow this past month well actually couple years ago mild syptoms started again I have been getting some of the old worse symptoms back. I'd sure appreciate prayer. When I don't write on this forum for several days its usually because of this. I notice when stress levels go up I have more symptoms which is common with MS. So I just ask the Lord to help me take it one day at a time.

I can do all things through Christ I'm claiming and although it makes it more of a challenge when your health isn't what it should be the Lord gives you the strength you need to go on.

:hug:
Faith

I might do a husband/wife exercise club on this forum with different rules and incentives. Actually I don't have a clue what I am doing right now which is not unusual. :blonde:

Lord God, by faith, we bring Faith to You and we ask for stability in her health. We ask that You lead her on a path of wellness that she might be willing to follow. We cannot predict the future or view the years ahead of her, but we can rely on Christ Jesus as Healer who desires us to be in health above all things. For these reasons we lift Faith before Your throne of grace and we ask for healing, well being and peace in her life. Ease her symptoms and grant her wholeness, in Jesus' name. Amen

Faith is touched by Editors prayer and thanks her dear sister in Christ.

:love:
Faith

Editor.. to answer your question..my kids are both tiny little peanuts! I was the same exact way when I was little..skin n bones. That changed with pregnancies.. But my kids are both actually on five percent on the weight chart at the dr.s office and ten for height. At first when my son was little they thought because of all his food allergies ( all dairy, nut, egg products) that was why he was underweight. But my daughter was the same way.. Both born normal weights.. Brandon was 7 lbs 7 oz and Sarah was 6 lbs 12 oz. I remember when Sarah was an infant I would have to go in to the doctors office every single month for a weight check with her because she was so tiny. They made me double her caloric intake by adding double scoops of formula ( ick) and everything. The doctor finally just came to the realization that my kids are BIG eaters but both have very high motabalism. Brandon is now 8 and weighs 45 pounds.. Sarah is 4 and is 26 pounds! Two little peanuts. So I don't worry about their weights ..just yet.. Though I want to start the healthy eating now because I was just like them when I was little..and ate junk..and it took just one pregnancy..one medical reason to gain weight..and boy did I!! I don't consider myself morbidly obese or anything like that..but thirty pounds to lose is thirty pounds..no way around that one. I would like to see myself back into those size 7 jeans ..someday!

:rolleyes: This is quite the forum. Do you know how long it will take me to tell you about my 10 kids, spouses, and grandkids? You don't want to know. Except for 3 they all have a tendency to gain weight but only 2 others have a moderate weight problem. None were fat as little children. Their problems usually hit around puberty. The oldest girl eats good, goes to a gym and basically trys hard to lose but stays about 50lb over like me. She got really thin once when she lost a serious boyfriend. I was always amazed how our love expanded each time another child was born. My father was heavy and mom skinny. She did diet some, though. My husband is about 30 lb over but very active as a veterinarian. I would like to lose 50 but feel good at 30lb less. Good to hear from you all. :god:

:dunno: Forgot to say, Leslee that my 2 oldest girls weighed about 34lb when they started school. :)

My dh is tall at 6'4" so you can't really tell to look at him, but his weight has really crept up since we got together. He is actually about 80# overweight according to the charts. DD is about 25# overweight, but wants to lose more than that.

Now that I'm cleared to exercise I plan on taking these two with me for evening walks. Hopefully our weekends can include more active interests, too.

I'm really proud of dd. She had a friend come over this week to walk with her, and plans on Saturday to play Dance Dance Revolution with another friend. She did this on her own without prompting from me! That girl has a mean sweet tooth! Today she bought some sugar free candy so at least that is better! She's lost 9 pounds since December! She attends The Lord's Table meetings with me, too.

Dh is starting to make healthier choices. I'm really glad. I think he'll stick with it if I don't give in this time(and give up). I have a feeling that he's still hitting the vending machines at work, but he has to be convicted about his own weight in order to make all the changes necessary. I'm just happy he's supporting us at home.

Carol, Leslee and Toni, I am glad that it is a family affair in losing weight in most cases and will try to find ideas that include spouse and children. Faith, so pleased to meet your dh on here.