weightwatchers for 11 year old

[crisgal]

could someone help me work out the points my daughter would be allowed? She is 11 and weighs 8 stone. according to the wii she is just in the overweight catergory.
She is a completely different shape to her skinny minnie friends and has always accepted this.
But now we are finding it difficult to find clothes that fit well, and she does have a couple of adult size 12s.
She would like to lose some weight to feel more comfortable, and be fitter.
I am on weightwatchers and would like to help her but am not sure how much she should have (to just lose a few pound from her tummy and bottom.)
She is active and and is in scouts and drama groups. I feel sad for her when she has to have different costumes to others in her group.
PLEASE READ:
Before someone calls social services - I am NOT trying to put her on a diet - she has asked me for help! She does not have access to junk food and only has sweets/chocolate/pop as a treat at weekends etc.
She is always hungry! If i'd let her, she would eat as much as her dad at mealtimes! I know that she's growing and that's why I want to make sure she has enough calories.
I also understand that it may be puppy fat that she could lose later, as my 18 year old son did, but sadly i never did!
Unfortunately, i can't afford to pay for both of us at WW, but have access to all the programme online.
It's working for me, I have lost 2 stone since september.
She eats lots of fruit and veg and i cook all my own meals.

[crisgal]

you're absolutely right. i will talk to them tomorrow at the meeting. thanks x

[katdarn79]

Im sure when i went to WW it was free for under 16s if they needed it.

[Sade]

A lot of 11 year-olds are chubby, and yes it is distressing to be amongst thin friends- I was in the same boat. however I was just eating too much. I am of the type that needs to completely cut back on everything- eat really very little in order to lose weight. Hunger is often not hunger at all but boredom, nigglyness, peckishness etc. She can get her hunger signals back by reducing portion sizes and really listening to when she is hungry- i.e- when her stomach is actually rumbling. I had to train myself to do this as a child, and still struggle with eating when I'm not truly hungry.

[nungate]

I was like your daughter when I was her age, and my mum bought me Adult size 12's as well, by the time I was 15 it all fell away and I actually had a decent shape (I seem to have mislaid it these days) It sounds as though you are doing all the right things diet wise, the best thing for her would be to keep active and eat a healthy diet and have a treat now and again. If you or she are actually worried about her weight might I suggest to contact your GP for advice and not be guided by a computer programme,

[nungate]

sorry my finger slipped. I was going to say that your daughter might be thirsty and not actually hungry. I know it sounds daft but it has been proven that sometimes we eat because we are thirsty and not hungry. Just keep reinforcing her self esteem by telling her how great she looks, she's just the best it's amazing how much a positive attitude from you as her mum can help her, I do the same with my own daughter. Our girls are fab and don't let anyone tell them anything different!

[craft1948]

Have you considered going jogging together?
A lady near me is a larger version of her daughter (they are both apple shaped) and they started running together about a year ago..........they both look a lot fitter now.

[Eve]

Is there something else active she could do to help, something she enjoys? Might help to balance out if she likes larger portion sizes (something I've had an issue with in the past!). Lots of fun things she could do so it's a fun thing rather than weight based like swimming (even something like a water polo or volleyball kind of team or bronze medallion/lifeguard training), ice skating, dancing (could fit in with the drama side of things if she likes that) or some kind of sport.

The family could have fun days out going for a good walk (build up to a challenge like walking up Snowdon or something) or going for a bike ride.

Not sure if they do anything local to you but when I was growing up they ran local tasters in school holidays where you could go and try things out, all sorts from rowing, trampolining, orienteering, loads of stuff.

Even random things like disco cleaning - get on some really good music and just blitz round the house dancing and singing along.

I'm not sure if they are similar now but some things she could fit into getting scout badges (if similar to brownie/guide ones like I did). I'm sure there was one connected to Duke of Edinburgh but I think you have to be 14 up.

[crisgal]

thanks jenna. she goes to a dance and drama group, as well as a dance class at school. I have just joined a line dancing class and she came with me last night and wants to go every week. she is on her trampoline, with her brother, as many daylight hours as there are, before and after school, weather permitting and at weeknds we go for a long walk with the dog, down to the river. When she's not doing any of these things, she is usually dancing to the wii or playing on the sports games and wii board.
As you can see, she is active and that's why i think she's just got my shape (round!)