My 10 year old wants to lose weight, Going through a tough time?

Question

My 10 year old son is very chubby on his stomach area and face. He Just sat me down and explained to me how he feels. He's worried because to get on the hockey team, you can't be over 100 pounds, Which is unfair. I've been making him swim, fixing him salads for dinner, skipping ice cream for dessert and having a mixed fruit bowl.He currently weighs 156 pounds. When he told me that you cant weigh over 100 lbs, i didn't believe him but he showed me the paper. The paper said:

"ALL STUDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPORTS, CANNOT WEIGH OVER 100 lbs" in a deep bold print. Is there any good water aerobics that he can do? Please help.

*Also, Don't you think it's unfair that children cant play a sport because of their size?*

Answer 1

I understand that as a parent you want to give your son as many opportunities as possible, and it hurts when obstacles get in the way of your child's goals. It may seem like things like weight limits are only discriminatory towards him, but there are many reasons why such things are put in place by athletic boards. One reason is to keep a level of health among all participants; especially in such young children, the school wants to encourage a healthy lifestyle, especially when obesity in children is at its peak. Another reason is to level the playing field: children over 100 lbs can easily outcompete children who are 70 lbs.

I do not want to sound harsh ma'am, but your son is labelled as obese. No 10 year old boy should weigh 156 lbs. Not only is his weight a burden because it limits what he can do physically (he would have a very hard time trying to keep up with the boys who weigh 50 less lbs than him on the hockey team) but at such a young age, he is at an alarming risk for many serious issues that will follow him into adulthood, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. You see the issue right now as the hockey team, but honestly, the issue is much greater. I suggest finding a local dietician and enrolling at a local gym, where they can help you plan a personalized fitness program to get your son back in good health. He came to you in trust because he wants you to help him cope with this...please, do this for your son.

Answer 2

i tried out for the SB team at my skool and i was tippin the sclses at 140! those b******s want slow *** aneroexics! that is really mean and unfair! theres water areobics at the YMCA and he needs more than just a salad at least a chickne slad or turkey urgers or turkey meatloaf. i was very chubby too but now im slimmer. i just exercised and ate healthy. good luck! and remind him it will take a month or so.

Answer 3

that is really unfair. you should write a letter to the coaches. also if ur kid wants to lose weight it may be a good idea so he can feel healthier andbetter about himself. good luck

Answer 4

I totally agree with you it's not fair at all because first of all what if your tall and if you weigh less than 100 then you would be under weight secondly he might be going through puberty and when kids do they gain weight don't let him diet thats unhealthy your doing the right thing with the foods he's eating look around i'm shure there are hocky teams that he can join if he weighs more than 100 or ask him if there is another sport he would like to do. A really good exercise in water would be doing laps in a pool this is a really good this because he is burning lots of calories and is not getting sweaty to tell you the truth that "RULE" is not fair at all you should get information especially on peuberty about the weight get people to sign a petition becasue thats not fair what so ever best of luck and tell your son he's not going to be the only one and he's amasing just the way he is

Answer 5

I am surprised at that rule - maybe they feel it would be unfair for smaller kids to have to play against kids who are much bigger than them, I don't know.  But at least you can use this as a good option to get your son in better health.

If you have the option of putting a treadmill in the living room, he could jog as he watches his tv shows.

Salad isn't the only thing he can eat to be healthy...try making him some grilled chicken and serve it with some roasted veggies.

I'm not sure water aerobics would be a good option...those are better for toning than for losing weight.  He really needs to continue with the swimming laps and other cardio exercises (riding bike, roller blading, jogging, walking, etc).

Answer 6

well to be truthful, although excersize is great its mostly what he eats that helps him loose wait. just dont give him so much and tell him to eat really slow because then he'll notice whoa... im full. thats how alot of people get bigger is because they eat their food fast or they eat to much. have him eat slower. and i dont really know any swimming excersizes but just have him swim for maybe 2 hours a day if possible and not at the same time have him maybe do a half an hour at a time then have a break. ^^

and no that is totally not fair for them to be like that. my sister had the same problem except she got on the team but they didnt let her play because they actually said to her face that she would slow them down. totally made me sooo mad. T_T

they are evil and that is sooo mean. i will so totally pray for your son everyday i feel so bad i wish i could punch those peoples lights out and give ur son a huge hug! i hope he looses the weight he wants to!!! i really do poor lil thing.

please tell him i said good luck and work hard!!! gyah! this is making me cry im so mad now!!! TT-TT

Answer 7

yes,it is unfair.all i can say is just keep him on a good exercise and diet plan.i wish him luck.

discovery health.com has a program with good food meals,and tips on losing weight.

Answer 8

Its not fair, but the sports team didnt cause your son to become overweight. It starts with how the child eats and with you. You allow him to eat unhealthy obviously. Get him to start eating lots of fruits and veggies and lean meats like fish and chicken. Not breaded chicken like nuggets either. Boneless skinless chicken baked is healthy. Have him walk as briskly as he can for at least a mile everyday and actually swim laps and not just play around in the pool. Its gonna take some time for him to loose the weight, but exercise and eating healthy is the safest way to loose weight. A childs eating habits start young.

Answer 9

Go to his pediatrician and have him/her figure out what's best for your child.

Answer 10

Isn't the reason kids play sports is to get in shape?  That is pretty unfair, but there must be reasons why they do it.   I think keep doing what you are doing.  He may have to wait until next year to play though. Fifty plus pounds is alot to lose!  Maybe go bike riding together everyday after dinner.  Take walks (or runs) around the block together (or the gym if its super hot out).  Hey, you can get in shape too and you'll be spending quality time with him.

Answer 11

wow 156... at 10.. I was 115 at 15. Anyways you can complain to the principal and most likely he will let your kid into the sports teams because they are total pushovers and fear parent threats.

Answer 12

Start to teach your kid about proper nutrition and eating healthy, get them started early so losing weight isn't a lifelong problem.

Answer 13

yh thats tight, but it's life, help him out with exercise and diet

easy 10 points

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 14

There's is one way, less sugar!!! Eat more veggies! Jog 3 - 6 laps a day at your school park, less sugar is <5g sugar! You should let your kid eat a balanced diet.  

Yes, it's unfair but I have 3 guesses that might be true cuz of weight.

1) They need to go rapid, no fattys, or something else

2) They only want skinny people, but not fat, maybe sugar

3) Fruit contains sugar, so that's the solution why he's worried

The best is check-up with the doctor.

Answer 15

I think it is unfair as how can they get exercise if they are not allowed to play? But I suppose it comes down to the safety of others in this age of sueing.

He should not be nessisarily dieting like an adult. He is a child and has different requirements. Ithink it would be best to visit the doctor. Get a health check and visit a dietician.

But it comes down to consuming less calories than you use. Get out walking everyday with him, get him into swimming (no weight limits there), go bike riding. But most important you need to consult a proffessional before changing his diet

Answer 16

Wow, that is definitely NOT FAIR!

I think you're doing everything you can.

Don't forget excersize!!

I wish him (and you :) the best of luck!

-Lilly

Answer 17

he really should lose weight anyways!

Answer 18

Wow.

Thats really unfair.

Just keep going as you are, and he should lose the weight fast enough.

Answer 19

My son is turning 11 in less then 2 weeks and he is going through something similar. He is about 125lbs and he feels upset about his weight as well. We have been cutting out fatty foods and doing more exercising. In time they will lose the weight. My concern is about the school, that seems so unfair. I know they may be worried about the health of a child but what if the child is a very healhy kid. I would actually look further into that. It must make your little boy feel that much worse. My heart goes out to both of you. I know when his family members mention his weight gain he gets upset. It breaks my heart.  I know that when I join him in doing healthy activities that he seems more into it. So if maybe you join him and eat the same healthy things he eats then he will more then likely enjoy it. Also  there is a game on the wii, and Im sure there are other video consoles that have exercising games that are fun. There is one other thing, my son and I do  sit ups together. Start with ten then the next day do a little more and so on. When we cut out chips and junkfood especially soda pop we seen a change. Tell him he is not alone and if maybe he wants to talk to someone his own age about it he can email my son. Dont worry you sound like a wonderful loving mother and to a son there is nothing better.

Answer 20

ummm well keep getting him to eat helthy and if you have a ymca near u then they have water arobics and u can try nutrisystem and that is dumb they should not b aloud to do that!?!?!? hope this helps!?!?!

Answer 21

That is ridiculous.

Make sure he is fit and active and doing it on a regular basis. Sooner or later, he will lose the pounds.

But that is ridiculous. There should be no weight bar. You should take this up with the school admin or the coach. Threaten to take legal action.

Hope this helps.

If you want to get in touch - [e-mail]

Answer 22

I would suggest looking elsewhere for a hockey program for him. It is rediculous to think that he is being discriminated against at 10 years old! I don't know of any swimming programs that he could do. But my sister is 15 years old and has lost a bunch of weight really fast playing paintball and using the Navy Seals work out cards. My mom bought her a deck of cards from the navy seals that have exercises on them. You are only supposed to do like 3 a day...but she loved it so much that she would do about 12 of them. Good luck!

Answer 23

I don't think it's fair,   he could potentially hurt the other kids because of his size.  

It's good to teach him good eating and exercising habits, but you also need to be realistic and let him know that he can't lose 56 pounds in a short amount of time.

Answer 24

You should protest aginst the cant be over 100 pounds rule... thats really dumb.

Tell your son to just cut off all snacks and desserts they're just extra calories for no reason... also he should play football and basketball to keep him occupied so he doesn't eat and sports are a good way of getting in shape. But if the team won't except him for his size then the team doesn't deserve to have your son on the team.

Answer 25

That clause is probably in there for health/medical reasons.

I know he's only 10, but I suggest resistance training. this could be as easy as lifting a 5lb weight, for 10 reps and then trying the other arm.

I only suggest resistance training because it allows for faster weight loss than cardio. Cardio is great for the heart, energy levels, and fighting depression, but weight loss from cardio takes more time.

you could take weights in the water (if you have a pool) and do resistance that way.

Answer 26

I do not want to sound like a jerk, but I think the weight is an issue because if there are other kids that only weigh about 80lbs, the child that weighs over 100lbs can hurt the other kids while playing. I know it is hard when you see or hear things like this even more when they happen to your own kids. My sister has been dealing with a weight problem for as long as I can remember and I see how she is limited on certain things she can do and how bad it can effect her life. The best thing for your son in my opinion is just to stick to a healthier eating pattern, cut back on fast food, sweet snacks sodas and juice.

Have him take daily kids vitamins, fruits, veggies, and low fat foods. Drink plenty of watter and limit his TV, video game time. Walking, jogging swimming those are all goods things that will help him.

Good Luck I hope he can make!

Answer 27

Yes I think that is very unfair. Kids come in all different packages. Skinny, Chubby, Average, that is very unfair. If I were you, I would go out to the people who typed that in bold print and tell them how I felt.

But his weight can be bothering him in other reasons than sports. They can be bothering him in getting picked on at school, being shirtless while swimming, a variety of reasons. Take it easy on him. Be supportive but show motherly care. You're doing a very good job with the swimming and eating habits and that should continue. I read on your profile that your oldest child was 13. And Tristian was 10. You can get one of the baby attactchments and attach it to you (For you 3 Weeks Old Daughter) and walk around the neighborhood, or yard with your son for a good 30 minutes. I also saw that you are pregnant with your 5th child so it may be harder for you to walk around with your son. Try to walk for at least 5 mintues so he feels you are supporting and if you can't anymore, tell him to keep going. Riding bikes, playing a few games (Kicking a soccer ball around the house, continue the swimming) anything like that really helps him and gets his metabolism going.

After losing the healthy weight (Even if it's a little over 100) and he still feels umcomfortable, talk to him. Teach him to stand up for himself and teach him that every person in all shapes and sizes are beautiful and don't let anyone tell him different. And like I said-if he really wants to be on this hockey team, go out and tell the man what you think about this. Tell him your child wants this bad. Like I said, don't let him lose too much weight. Losing too much is unhealthy for kids this age. Still, even when he has lost the healthy weight, keep him active and eating right.

Good Luck for you and your son!

Answer 28

thats not fair! and keep him on that diet mabey take him out for walks exerzise with him go to the gym and pool

good luck

Answer 29

thats wrong. is there anything he can do as swimming team or fall ball. i feel bad make sure after he swims to eat an apple or banana. also you could try to gte light or fat free dressing for the salads.  the mixed fruit bowl is a very good idea. tell him good luck and "HE CAN DO IT" :)

Answer 30

h**l ya you should do something about that because that is BS

Answer 31

That is not right!!! That discrimination against those who are a bit bigger!! But he doesn't have to necessarily skip dessert he should just play outside with other watch what  he eats but still enjoy his summer if they won't let him join and he is very good talk to the principal. If he makes the other requirements for tryouts even though he is overweight they should give him a try!!