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Tell a Few Diet White Lies

Fit Family

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Fit Family


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Photo: discoodoni/Flickr
Do you announce to the world you're dieting? What about to your family? I diet-lie to my kids, but they're tiny white lies. Like when I'm trying to lose five pounds, but prefer not to fold my 5-year-old and 7-year-old in on the plan. I'd rather they focus on healthy habits, not my wish to fit into that dress by next month's wedding or the D-word -- diet.

The other day my daughter asked why I didn't have any ice cream at our favorite scoop shop. Honestly, I'd have loved a twist cone dipped in chocolate, but I'd just eaten a healthy, filling dinner and my hips don't need the cone. So instead of telling her I was dodging the treat because I was on a 'diet,' I told her I was full. She was content with that response, digging right into her cone with a clean conscience that mommy wasn't deprived of the sweet fun.

Parents, listen up. Kids emulate you. Incessantly chatter about dieting, body size and fitting into itty bitty jeans, and someday they will, too. Consistently stock the kitchen with wholesome foods, then stay active yourself, and you'll help build a foundation for healthy living. A couple days after the ice cream white lie, I asked my daughter if she wanted any more of her snack. She replied, "No, I'm full."

Fit Family Summer Assignment: If you go on a diet this summer, don't tell your kids. Quietly eat right, exercise and see what happens.

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