Dr. Stuart Fischer Teaches Parents and Children to Conquer their Weight Together
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – NEW YORK – The link in obesity between parent and child and the effects being overweight will have on that child’s future have never been more evident. Dr. Stuart Fischer, renowned diet expert and author of the best-selling The Park Avenue Diet, wants parents of obese and overweight children to know that it’s not just their children’s health at stake, it’s also their future. A new study shows that overweight and obese students are performing worse in school than their physically fit counterparts, jeopardizing their professional future as well as their health. [1] Further, multiple members of a family can end up struggling with weight because genes and habits are passed generation-to-generation.
Dr. Fischer offers the following step-by-step advice on how families can conquer the extra weight, and what’s causing it, TOGETHER.
· TELL THE TRUTH:
Be a great role model and tell the truth. Sit the family down for a heart-to-heart talk where the overweight parent should freely admit to the child that they are not a healthy weight, and that some of their food choices have not been ideal. Afterwards, the parent should offer hope on how they will lose weight together – letting the children see how their lives can improve – socially, physically, etc.
· DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL MYTHS:
The biggest issue in the weight loss process for the parents is addressing what Dr. Fischer refers to as “personal myths” – the excuses that people give themselves to rationalize their behavior. An example personal myth for the parent could be “I’ll pick up two pizzas and a 2-liter of soda on the way home so I have more time with my kids.” More examples: “I am not a good parent unless my kids have more than enough to eat every day” and “they have baby fat; they’ll grow out of it.” Once the parent recognizes these are excuses, they can move on to make the right choices for their family.
· MAKE A PLAN:
The next step is to make a plan, keeping in mind that losing weight is actually quite simple. Work off more calories than you eat. First, each overweight family member should set a realistic weight loss goal. For example, in one month lose 8-10 pounds. (Dr. Fischer recommends losing no more than 2 pounds per week.) Then, make a plan on how to incorporate more exercise in everyone’s day-to-day routine. Exercising two to three times a week is ideal at the beginning – floor exercises on Mondays, sports like tennis on Wednesdays, and biking on Saturdays.
· COOK AND SHOP TOGETHER:
As a family, figure out what and how much you want to eat per day for your first week, then crunch the numbers and come up with a menu. Mommy should take in about 1,800 calories, Daddy about 2,000, and children will vary depending on height and age. There are tons of great healthy recipes online. Remember to incorporate foods with rich nutritional content like fresh fish, vegetables, and grains. Next, go shopping with your child and explain what foods are good and what are bad. Also teach them to avoid “empty calories,” high calories foods with little to no nutritional content such as soda, sugary desserts, fast food, or potato chips.
· ACT ON THE OTHER ISSUES:
Everyone overeats for different reasons. Everyone in the family should try to identify some of the issues causing them to eat then take mini-steps to change their behavior through action. For example, if an overweight child doesn’t have a lot of friends, set goals with her or him to meet new children with similar interests. At the next social outing with other kids urge her or him to walk up to another child they would like to meet and introduce themselves. The parent should do something similar, taking an action outside of their normal everyday behavior like talking to someone that intimidates them at work.
· REWARD, REWARD, REWARD:
As the weight starts to come off start rewarding yourself and your children in ways OTHER than food that will help reinforce a positive self image. It could be a new lip gloss, haircut, tickets for a game or play, outfit, purse, backpack, etc. Reward frequently but not lightly. A great time for a smaller reward would be after two weeks if everyone has been sticking to the plan and are on track for their weight loss goals.
There is never one reason that a child or parent is overweight and it’s never simply about food. Dr. Fischer’s Park Avenue Diet is a seven point program that creates lasting weight-loss results through advice from leading experts in the fields of psychology, diet, nutrition, fitness, interpersonal skills and personal appearance. A few of the experts include noted psychologist Dr. Stanley Krippner, wellness chef Marie-Annick Courtier, socialite Tinsley Mortimer, personal trainer Bernadette Penotti, and hairstylist Joel Warren of Warren-Tricomi salon.
About Dr. Stuart Fischer
Stuart Fischer, M.D. has developed his unique approach to weight loss after decades of experience in internal medicine, emergency medicine and nutrition. As an author and educator, Dr. Fischer is sought by the media as a resource specializing in providing clear explanations on complex medical information. Now, in his 27th year as a practicing physician, Dr. Fischer has been a featured guest on numerous television, radio and Internet shows, including The Early Show, FOX and Friends, Inside Edition, CNN American Morning, Good Day New York, CBS2’s Healthwatch, The Montel Williams Show and WebMD.
For more information on Dr. Fischer and the celebrity consultants, please go to: www.parkavenuediet.com.
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