DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are overweight. I have tried fad diet after fad diet, to no avail. My husband has just given up on his physique and health.
We want our kids to be fit and not follow in our footsteps. We sign them up for sports and activity-laden camps, and we make them separate, healthier food for dinner. Recently, they've been questioning why they go to so many activities and eat well when "mommy and daddy don't." I tell them I'm not fit and young enough to keep up with them, but they seem disappointed in my answer. What else can I do? -- Don't Follow My Example, Rochester, New York
DEAR DON'T FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE: Your children are reflecting reality back at you. You cannot expect them to continue to push to do sports and eat well when their parents don't even make the effort. It is time for you and your husband to choose to do something to move your bodies. Easier than that is for you to sit at the table and eat the same foods that you feed your children. While you may not be young or fit enough to keep up with your kids, you cannot afford to give up, as that is a very unhealthy and unsafe message that you are sending your children.