Fat Camp From a Child's Perspective
- By David Kraft
- Published 03/20/2009
- Family Concerns
- Unrated
Years ago, the term "fat camp" brought to mind horrow stories. Fat camps were thought to be miserable places, with mean staff that push people harder than they are comfortable being pushed. Have you ever thought about how a child views fat camps as a result of those stories? Think about their opinion of a place where they are forced to exercise, eat foods they don't like, avoid candy and snacks, and are not able to do the kinds of things they enjoy like watching TV and playing video games.
Many children will see this as purely punishment and torture instead of failing to realize the motivations and reasons for these methods. In reality, children must be confident that the "old days" of fat camp are long gone and that today's weight loss camps for kids are designed to teach children about healthy eating and proper exercise as well as help them discover fun and enjoyable ways to exercise and burn calories.
Of course, if we could simply tell our children all of this and have them believe us, the world would be a beautiful place. In reality, stereotypes are hard to break and many kids still view being sent to a weight loss camp as punishment. We need to do our part to make sure our children understand what these camps are all about as well as the true motivations for sending them there.
If you are considering sending your child to a weight loss camp, take some time to explain
to them that it is not punishment but is a learning opportunity that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. The faculty employed at fitness camps are experts in child weight loss. Children should feel good about the idea of eating good food and playing games with children that they will identify with easily.
Children will also enjoy the setting that the camp is in. Most are in beautiful forests with plenty of nature around to enjoy. Activities like swimming, hiking, and ropes courses are the kinds of things that many kids have no experience with but are also very good ways to exercise. More importantly, your child will be surrounded by kids that are in the same emotional state as themselves. This allows postive peer pressure to work to the benefit of everyone as all kids at the camp share the same goals and will provide encouragement and support to each other.
It is equally important for parents to understand what happens at weight loss camps. Many parents fail to take this step. All too often, a child goes off to camp and begins to make progress in losing weight, only to return home to clueless parents who begin to encourage the same old habits that led to obesity in the first place. Weight loss camp is not a solution in and of itself. To be successful, your family must view the camp as a stepping stone or launching point to a lifelong process of living healthily. If that is your view, your child can begin a long, healthy life with the skills they will learn at what used to be called "fat camp."
Many children will see this as purely punishment and torture instead of failing to realize the motivations and reasons for these methods. In reality, children must be confident that the "old days" of fat camp are long gone and that today's weight loss camps for kids are designed to teach children about healthy eating and proper exercise as well as help them discover fun and enjoyable ways to exercise and burn calories.
Of course, if we could simply tell our children all of this and have them believe us, the world would be a beautiful place. In reality, stereotypes are hard to break and many kids still view being sent to a weight loss camp as punishment. We need to do our part to make sure our children understand what these camps are all about as well as the true motivations for sending them there.
If you are considering sending your child to a weight loss camp, take some time to explain
Children will also enjoy the setting that the camp is in. Most are in beautiful forests with plenty of nature around to enjoy. Activities like swimming, hiking, and ropes courses are the kinds of things that many kids have no experience with but are also very good ways to exercise. More importantly, your child will be surrounded by kids that are in the same emotional state as themselves. This allows postive peer pressure to work to the benefit of everyone as all kids at the camp share the same goals and will provide encouragement and support to each other.
It is equally important for parents to understand what happens at weight loss camps. Many parents fail to take this step. All too often, a child goes off to camp and begins to make progress in losing weight, only to return home to clueless parents who begin to encourage the same old habits that led to obesity in the first place. Weight loss camp is not a solution in and of itself. To be successful, your family must view the camp as a stepping stone or launching point to a lifelong process of living healthily. If that is your view, your child can begin a long, healthy life with the skills they will learn at what used to be called "fat camp."
David Kraft
David Kraft is a freelance author with many areas of specialization. He promotes healthy living for today's youth and provides information about teen weight loss camp. You can learn how his camp is not a fat camp in the typical sense.
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