Why is my daughter so fat? She only eats french fries with ranch.

Last week as Uma (my daughter) and I made our way home from Disneyland we stopped in Barstow, CA for lunch.  We had not planned on eating at a restaurant but we unfortunately had gotten off of schedule earlier in the day and we were in need of a late lunch.  I let Uma choose where we ate, our choices were Subway or Chilli’s.  There were other restaurants in the area but my allergy to onions ruled all the Mexican restaurants out and I did not give her the option of McDonald's or Burger King as I am not sure they serve food.

Uma chose Chilli’s.  We were promptly seated and Uma and I ordered a meal to split.  Seated in the booth next to us was a small family, parents and two teenage girls (we live in Utah anyone who has less than four kids has a small family).  The Mom talked and talked, mostly about church of which it sounded like they had attended earlier in the day (it was Sunday).  The Mom was kind of loud (that’s why I could hear everything she said) and didn’t seem like a pleasant person, her tone was sharp and bossy.  As the family decided on what to order and as the waitress came over the Mom told her daughter (around age 15) to sit up, speak clearly, and tell the waitress what she would like.  I know that seems like a good thing to teach a kid and it is, but this teenager was at least 50 lbs overweight as was her sister.  These girls were not a bit chubby, nor did they have little bellies, these girls were BIG! All around BIG!  Truly my first thought wasn’t very nice as I saw all of this happening I thought instead of teaching her how to order why don’t you teach her how to do a “f”ing push-up.  Yes, I actually use the word “f”ing in my mind, I try not to curse even inside my head.

I continued to hear the family talk about home school, church, and friends.   From what I could understand the family was new to the area and the girls did not have friends yet and may not have had many from where ever they came from.  I felt sorry for the girls because you know that the basics of good health and fitness would not be taught to them at home and it didn’t sound like they attended public school (not like that would be a lot of help either but some is better than none).

On the drive home I reflected more at my time with Uma at Disneyland.  We had so much fun but we saw a lot of fat people.  I am sure that doesn’t seem very nice to say either.  But it was true.  Several times lines for rides were stopped while obese people were assisted onto and off of the rides.  At the rocket ships I felt sorry for the Disneyland cast as they had to “find” the seat belt after a very large woman had stuffed herself inside the rocket.  Again, I felt sorry for the kids with these people. 

Most people know I made the change to be a fit mom when I had my daughter Uma.  There is something special about the bond between a mom and daughter that makes you want to be the best woman you can be.  You have to ask yourself, what are you teaching your daughter?  Who do you want her to be?  What will you do to make sure nothing stands in her way?

I read an article this weekend in Bazaar Magazine about a 96+year old woman who runs and who taught her now 70 year old daughter to run when she was very young.   They talked about how both the woman have ran their entire lives, how fit they are, and how young they both look (they both look about 20 or 25 years younger than most women their age).  It was such an inspirational story.  So much so that I took Uma and Fox out trail running today after church.  I want to teach my kids good health and good fitness.  I want them to know how to run, jump and play.  I think so many people think this comes naturally to children but good form and a love for it may not.

I’ll ask you again, what are you teaching your daughter?  And will you set an example? 

Many of you have heard this from my Beachbody blog www.teambeachbody.com/amycobine or one of my websites but here is a conversation Uma and I had a few months after I started working out.

Uma “Mommy, can we play exercise today?”  Me  “Yes Uma, everyday.”

First trail run for my babies.

The kids and I stop at the top of Turtle Wall for a picture.

Need a Beachbody Coach, want to talk about your health, your fitness, your kids and family's health.  Go to my Beachbody site www.beachbodycoach.com/amycobine or look me up on facebook or text me at 360.609.4983  Start down a new path today.