Years ago, camps like this were cruelly called “fat camps,” but the fitness camps today are quite different. Let’s face it. We have so many obese and overweight kids these days that your child is certainly not alone. Looking into today’s fitness and weight loss camps for your child may be the very best thing you’ve ever done for them!
There are some things to keep in mind. When you do your research, make sure the camp offers the following:
1. A healthy approach to weight loss. This seems like a no-brainer, but just to make sure you’re not sending your child to an “old school” mentality camp, make sure that they offer plenty of healthful food choices that won’t leave your child too hungry. Find out what a daily menu will be like. Make sure it includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, lean protein, non-fat dairy and whole grains.
2. Make sure the healthy approach goes beyond the food and exercise and includes emotional support for your child. Being overweight or obese can be very tough on your child’s emotional well-being. You want the counselors to be encouraging as well as understanding. You want your child to lose weight, not self-esteem!
3. Make sure that realistic goals are set. Children lose weight differently than adults. A lot of their “weight loss” will come in the form of “growing into” their weight. Sure, pounds can and should be lost while at a weight loss camp, but you don’t want counselors to promise that they’ll send back a thin child! Weight lost too quickly always comes back and is NEVER supportive of a healthy system.
4. Make sure that they incorporate FUN activities in terms of exercise. As adults, we tend to push ourselves in the gym, stay on the treadmill long after we’re bored or force another set of crunches. Kids should have fun while they exercise so they stick with it. Who knows? Maybe they’ll come back home with some ideas for YOU to make YOUR exercise more fun!
