Getting fit and healthy with 13 year old brother

evenin

My little brother is 13 and about 2-2 1/2 stone overweight. He's very sensitive about this, and is getting teased for being overweight in school.

I'd like to help him get fitter and healthier by doing exercise classes or workouts with him, but I'm not sure what would be suitable for a child of that age. I'm 22 and female, and I'd usually do workout videos with circuits and weights, but he finds these too "girly" (on the ones I have the trainers usually say things like "you go girl!" or "push yourselves ladies"), and I'm not sure if he should be using weights or if he's old enough?

We already go on walks and he goes swimming once a week, but he's been putting on weight consistently for the past few years. He seems to eat constantly, sort of comfort eating. I've never had this problem so I find it hard to understand, but I thought maybe if there was a nutrition plan we could follow in conjunction with exercise it would help him get an idea of how much food he actually needs.

Does anyone have any experience of this, or any advice at all? Thanks!

SAHMOM

Firstly what a great sis you are .....Have a look at why he might be "comfort eating"..Is he just bored or is there something deeper??

Boxing is a great way of keeping fit and trust me it takes a lot out of you!! Plus its a mans sport so he shouldn't feel uncomfortable doing it. Also jogging/cycling/swimming is so good for losing weight and toning...sign yourselves up for some events and start training now.

Best of luck:)

mojopolo

evenin wrote: »

My little brother is 13 and about 2-2 1/2 stone overweight. He's very sensitive about this, and is getting teased for being overweight in school.

I'd like to help him get fitter and healthier by doing exercise classes or workouts with him, but I'm not sure what would be suitable for a child of that age. I'm 22 and female, and I'd usually do workout videos with circuits and weights, but he finds these too "girly" (on the ones I have the trainers usually say things like "you go girl!" or "push yourselves ladies"), and I'm not sure if he should be using weights or if he's old enough?

We already go on walks and he goes swimming once a week, but he's been putting on weight consistently for the past few years. He seems to eat constantly, sort of comfort eating. I've never had this problem so I find it hard to understand, but I thought maybe if there was a nutrition plan we could follow in conjunction with exercise it would help him get an idea of how much food he actually needs.

Does anyone have any experience of this, or any advice at all? Thanks!

Good on you for trying -
It's good to get a balance between enough physical activity and a good nutritional diet.
Aim for an hour of physical activity a day ( government health guidelines for kids)
Do you have a wii? I got Just Dance for Christmas and it burns up some calories and is a bit of fun. I'm sure there's other similar things about.
Foodwise I would encourage cutting down on all the added sauces like tomato ketchup which are full of calories - swap larger portions for smaller portions - use smaller plates if this helps.
It's all about taking a longer term change of lifestyle rather than a short term fix.
Good luck - he's lucky to have a sister like you

Barry.Oglesby

What area do you live in? Maybe the best method is to get him involved in a sport he can develop and enjoy for its own sake rather than for weight loss.