Diabetes and my children

[marmolejos]

I've been recently diagnosed with diabetes type 2, obesity runs in my family. I have 3 beautiful children, all overweight. I follow my doctor's and my trainer's instruction daily, i eat clean, workout 1 hour a day, take my medicines on time, try to keep my sugar level under control, but that doesn't make me feel better as a mom. I feel guilty for getting myself in this estate and for dragging my kids into this. I know there's still time to fix things, but i think i'm getting depressed only thinking of how immature of me it was to feed my own children with high calorie, high sugar, high fat meals. I could never say no to them... all those sweets, sodas, pizzas, i thought that's how i showed them i love them. I've raised bad, killing eating habits in them, how should i change it? My doctor said "stop killing your children", and he's right. I feel miserable, how am i supposed to help my kids, how am i supposed to change the way they live?

I'm sorry for all this, i'm just a desperate mother.

 

[Kaya]

My dear marmolejos, that's very brave of you to have shared your inner feelings here. I can see you're struggling with guilt. My darling, the first step in correcting something is admission, you're doing everything right! Ofcource it is painfull for you, as a mother, to see and accept the wrong decisions you have been taking. I would like to congradulate you for awakening! I'm telling you that because there are thousands of families were they do not even suspect their life style is killing them.

Ok, now that you have faced the truth, you have some challenges to overcome:

• talk to your family members. Communication is very important, tell your children about the disease you are fronting, ask for their support, team work is best when it comes to family. 
• Cook at home. Home made meals are sooo delicious and can be so healthy. You can prevent your children from eating rubbish by cooking at home delicious low calory meals. You can even ask your children to help you with that, go shopping together, make a menu, ask what they'd like to eat, do it like a family ritual. Eat lots of veggies and drink lots of water. I'll tell you my little secret, i'm not a good cook, but i get inspired from internet recipies and Jamie Olivier, OF COURSE )) Try one of his recipies, so much fun, so healthy!
• Move as much as possible, take your kids for a walk every evening. Go swimming on weekend, go biking, take dance classes, anything that implies movement is more than welcome for you and your children! Organise some family contest with your friends/relatives. It can be some much fun, and that's so healthy (i've said that before haven't i? ))
• Regular sleep, yes, it has to be regular. Especially when it comes to children, no cartoons after 9 PM - bed time. The brain gets best sleep and relaxation  between 11PM and 12:00 AM. Make sure you're also sleeping at that time. Too much sleeping damages. Get everyone out of bed by 8 AM for a more energetic day. 
• Reward. Encourage your children to do the right things and reward them when they do them. Something like little gifts or something they want (as long as it is healthy).
• Visit a shrink once in a while, talk to somebody about how things are going, what your goals are, how you are planning to achieve them. 

Remember darling, your children love you no matter what, you should start loving yourself. Do it step by step, your family, i am sure, will be glad to help. I'm sure everything will work out just fine!

Be healthy!

 

[marmolejos]

Thank you Kaya for the encouraging words! I sometimes need it to feel i can move forward. You are so right about all you said, thank you for the excellent advice. I've also heard that bst sleep is between 11PM and 1AM, will do my best to keep following this rule. 

I've followed your advise and talked to my children asked for their help, and to my surprise they had a very positive reaction and we agreed to work on this together. We went to the pool this weekend, i must say being almost naked is very uncomfortable, and swimming is such an effort for me. My kids loved it! They are eager to go there again. There's only 1 swimming pool in our town, its not the best, but it's better than nothing, so we will definitely go agin.

The most difficult part is the eating habbits. After the pool, we were all hungry, and everyone wanted to grab a pizza... i couldn't fight it, it's like i had to reward them for the pool, so i gave up for the pizza.

I've been thinking about visiting a phycologist as you advised, but i think i'll pass for the moment, i'll try to do it by myself, and if i don't succeed...then yes. Plus, i really cannot afford sessions, not at this point in my life.

Thank you Kaya for your support